masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRather than being forced to accept a lower offer than the one he turned down from the Red Sox, outfielder Jason Bay reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets that includes a vesting option for 2014 that could bring the total package to around $80 million.

Bay didn’t want any part of Citi Field until the Mets gave him around 80 million reasons why he should reconsider.

The Orioles weren’t going to venture into that neighborhood for Bay, and the vast majority of…Rather than being forced to accept a lower offer than the one he turned down from the Red Sox, outfielder Jason Bay reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets that includes a vesting option for 2014 that could bring the total package to around $80 million.

Bay didn’t want any part of Citi Field until the Mets gave him around 80 million reasons why he should reconsider.

The Orioles weren’t going to venture into that neighborhood for Bay, and the vast majority of teams shared the same apprehensions.

Meanwhile, a Yankees official told the Daily News’ Anthony McCarron that there’s “no chance” the team will sign Matt Holliday.

“Zero. None. Underline it,” the official said.

Why do I still believe the Yankees will want to trump the Mets?

Otherwise, the Cardinals are a strong bet to get Holliday’s signature on a contract. But you know agent Scott Boras is going to find a “mystery team” to drive up the price.

Just when it appears that a market is beginning to dry up, Boras turns a knob and floods it. It’s one of his specialties. He’s a human rainout.

The Orioles won’t jack up the price for another team, as they reminded us last winter with Mark Teixeira, but they’ll certainly watch what develops with Holliday. It’s more curiosity than anything else.

It’s hard to imagine his price coming down enough to suddenly put the Orioles in play.

Update: ESPN’s Buster Olney reports, via Twitter, that Boras was seeking $18 million per year for Holliday during talks with at least one club. If we assume he’s looking for a five-year deal, we’re talking $90 million here. If he wants six years…well, you get the picture.