MVN: Most Valuable Network

I wanted to share a few tid bits before the end of the day...

Extra Bases mentioned earlier today that the Red Sox plan to offer OF Jason Bay an extension before the 20090 season begins. But they will wait until after some of the remaining free agent outfielders have signed deals, in an effort to gage the current market.

Bottom Line: It will be interesting to see if Bay and the Red Sox can agree on a deal, knowing that they could get significantly more money in 2010. Pat Burrell's 2-year, $16M deal with the Rays has set the tone, but if Adam Dunn and Manny Ramirez sign soon, the market could shift. Bay is making $7.5M this year and the Globe thinks he was worth as much as $15M until the economy went to hell. Now the Red Sox could re-sign him for close to what he made in Pittsburgh... but at least he'd be in a winning ballclub.

Also, the Red Sox have one less catcher to think about. Kelly Shoppach avoided arbitration with Cleveland and signed a 1-year deal today. There was an outside chance Red Sox would make an attempt to get Shoppach back, but the Tribe smartly locked him up, giving them the flexibility to ply Victor Martinez at first base if desired.

Lastly, Gabe Kapler just signed a 1-year, $1M deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Kapler said he chose the Rays because of the chance to win, and to be in the Tampa Bay area. "There's a great opportunity for me to perform in Tampa and I expect to take advantage of that opportunity,'' Kapler said.

He said the shoulder problem that limited him last season is healed and he is better shape going into this season than he was last year. "Going forward I expect to build on what I did last year and be better than I was last year,'' Kapler said.

Kapler will likely platoon in RF with Gabe Gross (Wait! Two 'Gabes' in one outfield!? Insanity!) and could help in center since BJ Upton is recovering from offseason surgery.

Kapler hit .301 with 8 homers for the Brew Crew last season. Adding Burrell and Kapler has made the Rays better and the AL East tougher... it's going to be an exciting season!