Bay signs extension with Pirates

[mjb2124]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/pmupdate/s_395526.html

Good news for one of the most underrated players in all of basebal. However, the signing just covers his arbitration eligible years. 2009 he can become a free agent and will demand a lot of money if his production continues to be very good.

No word on $$$ at this time. Press conference at 3:00.

[nyisles16]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

nice to hear some good news from the Pirates - instead of them having to lose players, they keep their own for a change..

[Karlos05]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

I just saw the news.

Hooray!!


EDIT: Post number 7k. Double hooray!!

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

I thought all the talk in Pittsburgh about extending Bay through his free agent years seemed odd. It meant Bay would "give away" his first free agent year. Now we find out that this isn't the case. They essentially just gave him a raise for the remaining 4 seasons we were going to have him anyway.

The Pirates weren't dumb in this instance. They knew that if Bay continues to produce as he has been (no reason he shouldn't), he'd get a significant pay increase through arbitration. He's only making $355K right now! So why not pay him now instead of going to arbitration.

The way I see it, it's more of a goodwill sign than anything. He certainly deserves it. He's very good on the field and from the 2-3 times I've been around him off the field (@ Pirate events though), he seems like a genuinely good person.

[Karlos05]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Assuming that Bay doesn't get hurt, or pull his own "Operation Shutdown" in the next few years this is a great move. If he were to put up another one or two year like his first two he would have gotten a huge raise in arbitration. Maybe more that what he would get with the contract. Of course the Pirates are taking a gamble that Bay will continue to produce but I think its a good one.

Plus I bet the Pirates didn't want to alienate him again like they did with the contract issue last year. Bay probably would have gotten pretty angry at the organization if they lowballed him for 3 years then took him to arbitration the next 3. After all that he probably wouldn't be too eager to sign or be with the team any longer.

Anyways I like. Good move DL. Now if we can just get to work on McClatchy selling the team to Cuban....

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

I agree. It was a good move and a good gesture on the Pirates part. They did upset Bay and Ollie with the contract issue last year so they really had to make good now. Bay looks to be the real deal for years to come. He's just been so solid in every aspect of his game. He's a lot of fun to watch.

Now if we can just get to work on McClatchy selling the team to Cuban....

Ohh, that would be a dream come true. Sell Kmac! Sell!

[SPTO]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

This news was reported on RSN all the way back in September. Great move tho as I think Bay will be the anchor for what should be a pretty good team if they can develop and keep their prospects. I really liked what I saw of Zach Duke. I think he'll be a very good pitcher in the years to come.

[southside_hitmen]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Out of curiosity (and because I'm too lazy and to look it up myself) what is Oliver Perez's conract situation?

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Out of curiosity (and because I'm too lazy and to look it up myself) what is Oliver Perez's conract situation?

I think he's tied down for another 3-4 years.

I'm not 100% sure how it works, but I think that once you're called up from the minors, the club "owns" you for 6 years (this time frame carries over from team to team if traded). The first 3 years the club sets the salary as they wish. The last 3 the player can file for arbitration and try to get more money.

Ollie starts his 4th year next year. He just needs to get his head on straight. Too much talent to be pitching the way he pitched last year (when healthy).

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Interesting stat regarding Jason Bay:

Last year he had the 2nd highest OPS for outfielders in all of baseball. He's only behind Manny Ramirez.

He was #1 amongst outfielders in the NL and trailed only Pujols, Lee, Helton and Delgado overall.

I think that says a lot about his production and how underrated he is amongst a lot of MLB fans.

[Karlos05]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Interesting stat regarding Jason Bay:

Last year he had the 2nd highest OPS for outfielders in all of baseball. He's only behind Manny Ramirez.

He was #1 amongst outfielders in the NL and trailed only Pujols, Lee, Helton and Delgado overall.

I think that says a lot about his production and how underrated he is amongst a lot of MLB fans.

You read that Post-Gazette today too?

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

You read that Post-Gazette today too?

LOL. Yep. I gotta have something to do on a Friday morning while wasting time at work!

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Good signing by the Pirates. Bay's a class act and very under-rated. If he kept up his level of play, he probably would have been looking at around 10 mil in his final year of arbitration. His numbers are even better when you consider he's the only good hitter on the team.

I look foward to seeing him suit up for Canada in March. His sister Lauren is a good softball pitcher.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Out of curiosity (and because I'm too lazy and to look it up myself) what is Oliver Perez's conract situation?

He was called up by the Padres in 2002, so he's had four seasons of major league service.

2002
2003
2004
2005

I'm not sure if his arbitration eligible, but the Pirates still have rights on him until after 2007.

Personally, I'd rather see Ollie sign a contract extension instead of going into free agency and signing with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers.

[mjb2124]

Re: Bay signs extension with Pirates

Personally, I'd rather see Ollie sign a contract extension instead of going into free agency and signing with the Yankees, Red Sox, or Dodgers.

I think the Pirates are being careful since they've been burnt with so many long-term contract signings in the past. Bay looks to be a very good player for years to come so the risk was less IMO.

Ollie was worrisome this past year. He was wild and worse of all, lost about 5 MPH off his fastball. 2 years ago he was averaging 95 MPH on his fastball and occassionally hit 98. This past year his average was closer to 89.

Ollie's name has been rumored in trade talks as well. The Pirates have some very good young pitching (Duke and Maholm are the best of that group) and if Ollie could land a young, power bat, the Pirates might consider it.