Boston Red SoxAs expected, the Boston Red Sox have offered arbitration to free agents Jason Bay and Billy Wagner according to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.

This means the Red Sox are guaranteed to get at least two draft picks should they sign elsewhere. They would receive the signing team’s first round pick if it is from 16-30 in the first round. If it isn’t, then they’ll receive a second round pick plus a sandwich pick between the first and second round.

The Red Sox are still very interested in bringing Bay back to Boston. They’d also welcome Wagner back but it’s still thought that he’ll take a closer’s job with another team.

They didn’t offer arbitration to Rocco Baldelli, Paul Byrd and Chris Woodward.