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.