Report: Red Sox Raising Budget to Make Larger Offer to Jason Bay

When the Mike Cameron and John Lackey era began, the Jason Bay era officially ended, right? Wrong.

According to WEEI.com, a team source reveals that the club has discussed extending its organizational budget to offer Bay a larger contract to return to the Hub. The team had previously offered Bay a reported $60 million over four years.

Lackey was signed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal and Cameron was added at $15.5 million over two seasons.

The New York Mets are currently considered the front-runners to land Bay, having made a reported offer of four years and $65 million for the free-agent left fielder. But according to New York Daily News writer Adam Rubin, it’s been a few days since Mets GM Omar Minaya has spoken with Bay’s agent Joe Urbon. Bay is said to be holding out for a fifth year to be added to the offer.