I had posted this earlier, but for some reason it didn't take, so here it is again.

On The Block – Jason Bay

Recent talk out of Pittsburgh has the Pirates potentially trading the face of their franchise, Jason Bay, in order to help replensish a impoverished farm system.  Bay is regarded to be the best moveable part not starting in the rotaiton right now, as he's due $13.25 million the next two seasons. 

Bay for the most part has accepted the fact, though he'd like to stay with the Pirates and help turn things around. 

The Why:  I've just said the why just now, but pretty much because the Pirates feel they have options, he's cheap and it wouldn't hurt to see what potential package you could get in return.

The Rumored Asking Price:  The papers have people predicting a Bartolo Colon/Mark Teixeira deal.  That won’t happen.  More likely, an average pitching prospect and a positional player prospect will get it done, though a third guy could be included.  Who knows?

Can A Trade Be Done:  Yes.  Bay doesn’t have a no-trade clause and with the market for outfield corners looking rather shallow at the moment, Bay would fetch a couple of decent prospects, should a GM have expendable prospects he’d be willing to deal. 

The Good:  Bay is coming off of an off year, but he'#### for power and has good speed on the basepaths.  His plate discipline is reasonably good and he's regarded to be a solid defender in left field.  He's also regarded to be a good clubhouse guy and would be a solid complimentry piece (not a star) to add to your lineup.

Potential Hang-ups:

• Performance In 2007:  Are you buying on the pre-2007 Bay or the 2007 version of Bay?  He's a gamble, but it's got to be asked what you're getting here.
• Health - Bay has also undergone some health issues this past year and you have to wonder if they'll creep back up again.
• Stupid Asking Prices - The Pirates have asked for absolutely stupid packages in the past for their players and have either been burned or shot down completely, the most recent of which was their offer for Jack Wilson (3B Troy Glaus) from the Jays, although, looking back, maybe the Jays should have taken it.

Potential Suitors – In Alphabetical Order

• San Francisco Giants – San Fran is going to need an outfielder and Bay could fit the bill.  The Giants could concievably decide to package Noah Lowry along with someone else, perhaps Nate Scherholtz, in order to get a deal done.
• Philadelphia Phillies – This could be done if the Phillies feel that they could have a deal for Pat Burrell, which could be done if they were to involve the next team bellow.  They could flip Burrell to the White Sox, provided he waives his no trade, and gain Bay, who is cheaper, and potentially Joe Crede, who would be a solid fit at third base, strengthening the lineup and making it a bit more fiscally flexible if they want to add anything else during the off-season.
• Chicago White Sox – Or, the White Sox could flip Bay for Crede and change and bypass the Phillies altogether, though the Pirates and White Sox would need to come up with a fit.  Perhaps Bay and Zach Duke for Crede and Lance Broadway?
• Texas Rangers – This is an interesting fit, from a non-homer perspective.  .Texas needs a left fielder and could use someone young to build around like Bay.  It would allow the Rangers to use Frank Cattalonotto at first base, limiting his defensive limitations and allow Texas to field a potential outfield of Bay, Centerfielder to Be Named Later, and David Murphy with Marlon Byrd as the utility outfielder.  The Rangers could trade for Bay, including Joaquin Arias, who could still be useful to the Pirates in the future, along with a couple of interesting arms in Robinson Tejeda, who could still be an effective starter and would be able to work in the pen for a bit to get his confidence up, and Gerald Laird, who needs to get the hell out of Texas and has experience to handle a staff.  If the Pirates want to sub, I'd give them the option of adding Luis Mendoza, who has become an effective groundball pitcher with some promise.  This could be overpaying a bit, but I'd be willing to give it a shot.
• New York Mets – The Mets are another organization that could potentially go after Bay, as they are in need of a left fielder.  However, it would almost certainly involve one of their talented young outfielders, likely Carlos Gomez, who needs another year, and a pitching prospect, likely Mike Pelfrey, who the Mets are quickly souring on.
• Minnesota Twins – Bucco Blog reported that the Twins may have some interest, with Matt Garza being mentioned in return.  I don't think it would be Garza, but another prospect, Kevin Slowley perhps, would be close enough to a deal.  The Twins in the past haven't been willing to make a trade, especially when it comes to their small horde of pitching prospects, but I would pull the trigger here, especially since the Twins need a big bat and much of their lineup is filled with defensive replacements.  I think it would benefit both sides. 

If I Had To Make A Trade Now:   It would look like this...

The Texas Rangers trade RHP Robinson Tejeda, RHP Luis Mendoza, SS Joaquin Arias to the Pittsburgh Pirates for LF Jason Bay

That's really the only deal that I can think of right now on short notice that would go through.  Thoughts?