In what was considered to be a predictable move by one of the offseason's hottest commodities, Jason Bay declined the Red Sox' arbitration offer on Monday, ESPNBoston.com reports.
Bay's decision to reject the offer keeps the left fielder available on the free-agent market and also guarantees the Red Sox two draft picks if he signs elsewhere. The Red Sox would be compensated with a first-round pick or second-round pick, and a sandwich pick between the first two rounds from Bay's new team.
Had Bay accepted the offer, he would be under contract with the Red Sox for the 2010 season at a salary determined through arbitration. His rejection allows him to continue to test the open market for a multiyear offer.
