Jason Bay Has List of Suitors to Choose From This Offseason

Jason Bay’s landing spot remains a hot topic at the winter meetings.

Earlier on Monday, reports surfaced that Bay would “stand on his head” to play for the Mariners, near his Seattle home. Now, it appears the Red Sox have yet another AL West team to contend with as they work to keep the free-agent left fielder in Boston.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, the Angels are shopping outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Juan Rivera at the winter meetings, in hopes of clearing up a lineup spot and some payroll for a serious run at Bay.

Angels owner Arte Moreno has indicated that GM Tony Reagins has $12 million to spend this offseason, not counting any subtractions from the payroll via trade, and that money could be used in one of two ways: to keep righty John Lackey or lure in the 31-year-old Bay.

FoxSports.com’s Tracy Ringolsby confirmed that the Angels have opened talks with Bay, and noted that the Red Sox were growing concerned about their ability to re-sign him.

Bay hit .267/.384/.537 with 36 homers for the Red Sox last season, proving that he can produce All-Star numbers in the American League. Fellow free agent Matt Holliday hasn’t proven the same yet, which is why Bay has been the hotter commodity at the meetings in Indianapolis so far.

Were Bay to sign with the Halos, manager Mike Scioscia could use him in left field, or minimize the effects of his shaky defense by slotting Bay into the designated-hitter role that could be vacated by free agent Vladimir Guerrero.

On the Red Sox’ front, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports via Twitter that manager Terry Francona expressed confidence in Theo Epstein’s ability to keep Bay in Boston.

"I’ve got a lot of confidence in our front office," Francona said. "We’re gonna be OK. There’s a comfort with Jason because we know him so well. But they’ll figure it out."