Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe writes that if the Boston Red Sox want to sign Jason Bay and avoid paying the luxury-tax, they could back load his contract.  Players such as Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek and Julio Lugo will have expired contracts after the 2010 season, so if Bay’s contract doesn’t escalate until after the 2010 season, the Red Sox will not have to waste money on the luxury tax.

Bay has been previously rumored to be pursued by the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, Yankees and Giants.  To see more Jason Bay rumors, you can can go here.  Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine, blogged that the Cardinals may go after Bay as a plan B if their attempts at signing Matt Holliday fail.

You can see Jason Bay’s statistics here.
You can see Matt Holliday’s statistics here.

Related posts:

1. Matt Holliday Rumors: Going to Boston? Yankees? Mets?
2. Jason Bay Rumors: Mets, Mariners, Giants and Angels still bidding
3. New York Mets Rumors: "Easier to make a deal for Jason Bay" & a future free agent pitcher?
4. Mets have offered Jason Bay 4 years at $65 million
5. Red Sox judged Jason Bay market correctly – will wait