Bay Watch

With the unseasonably warm weather here in New England, it seems only appropriate that the (Jason) Bay Watch is heating up.

According to Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners are very interested in signing Boston Red Sox free agent outfielder Jason Bay.

We’ve been told the Mariners have made a concerted push to land B.C. product and local resident Jason Bay, a Type A free agent left fielder from the Red Sox. This despite the fact that Bay (who gained his U.S. citizenship this year), is not the defensive whiz Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has prefered in other deals he’s made.

The Mariners don’t seem too be concerned with his defense but like him for the big bat he could provide them in the middle of the lineup.

Although Bay has said that geography won’t play a preference in where he signs, he would be able to sleep in his own bed each night at home as he makes his off-season home there. The Red Sox are still very interested in bringing back Bay as well.

If Bay decided to sign with the Mariners, the Red Sox would receive two compensation picks. Seattle holds the 18th pick in the 2010 draft and the Red Sox would get a sandwich pick as well.