And he will excel in the future. Look for a career year in 2009 and a new contract from the Sox that puts him in left there through his mid 30s. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy—too bad fate precluded it from happening here.

Fantastic player and classy guy. At least since he’s on the Red Sox now, we can still watch him every night on ESPN.

Who would make almost any team better, immediately. It is a shame the Pirates are not anywhere near competitive enough to make use of his services.
When the Pirates do become a playoff contender (a moment that will probably take mainstream media by surprise, but which has its origins right now with these trades and the draft), I hope that some of those players exhibit the talent and professionalism of Bay.

But as we look toward the future, I’m glad that some of our current guys had a such a good role model.

I’ll be very interested to see what happens with his numbers at Fenway as opposed to PNC. It’s quite possible that he will look much better as a Red Sox than he did as a Pirate – due to park effect and being surrounded by better hitters. (although he was surrounded by very effective hitters this season)

He is a very good, likable player. I wouldn’t call him ‘great’. I expect a normal ‘good’ player career path with good numbers over the next two or three seasons and then the decline phase to start. He will be someone’s big free agent mistake in a couple of years.

Go beat the Yankees!!! You’ve been my favorite player with the Pirates and I wish you the best in Boston. Thanks for providing some great memories during an otherwise uneventful time in Pirate baseball.

Good luck!
Wishing you the best… even if I hate your new team.

Bravo!

Does anyone know what number he’s gonna wear? ... Schilling has dibs on #38.

Good fella, good player. He’s a credit to any team that employs him.

He looked good. I was going to name my first son Jason Bay. Now what do i do Name him Nate?

He is my favorite player..I will miss him