A big-time year for Bay, who established career highs in both homers and RBIs while also swiping 13 bags, his most since 2005. The dynamic left fielder will be one of the most coveted prizes in the 2009-10 free-agent class, and he will likely test the market before deciding whether or not to re-sign with the Red Sox. No matter where he ends up, the 31-year-old slugger can be counted on for another 30-plus jacks and 100-plus RBIs in 2010.

The question is whether Bay will walk back in that same door for Opening Day of next season. "He's a pro and we have a lot of respect for him and what's he's done since we acquired him," Epstein said of the outfielder. "You couldn't have asked more from him since the day he put on a Red Sox uniform, and that's a good thing too, since we traded a pretty good player for him. We want the relationship to continue, so we'll see if it does." While Bay admitted he has to view the market in a more broad sense, he also indicated he would welcome a chance to return to Boston, a place he is adapted to seamlessly both on and off the field. "I think ultimately it just boils down to the fact that I've gotten to this point and I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't look around," said Bay.

Bay has been sizzling hot since Sept. 13, a day which spawned a five-homer streak over seven games through Sept. 21. After going hitless in a couple games, Bay delivered another multi-hit outing as he focuses on vaulting his batting average to .270 for the first time since June 29.

The first baseman/catcher needed a day off, according to manager Terry Francona. "Yeah, he's been catching a lot, and he's going to catch tomorrow," said Francona on Sunday. With Martinez resting on the bench, Jason Varitek took over behind the plate and Jason Bay took Martinez's customary spot at the three-hole.

Brian Anderson stood in for Bay in left field as Bay took a day to rest. He's a must-start whenever he's in the lineup considering he ranks second in RBIs (115) and third in home runs (36) in the American League. Anderson has made only two previous starts for the Red Sox since being acquired from the White Sox on July 28, going 1-for-6 with an RBI in those efforts.

Bay has had a torrid September, batting .328 (23-for-70), slugging over .700, launching seven homers and driving in 23 runs in 19 games. He has raised his batting average from .258 to .267 on the season during that stretch, and has climbed into second place on the AL's RBI leader board with 115 and ranks third in homers with 36. All in all, not a bad month's work -- especially considering that there's still over a week left in September.

No one has been able to keep Bay in the yard recently, as the slugging left fielder has gone deep in each of the last four games and five of the last seven. With Monday’s jack, he established a new career high in homers. On the year, he’s batting .269 with 113 RBIs, 98 runs and 13 steals.

Bay wasted no time getting back to business after missing a game with flu-like symptoms, going yard for the fourth time in his last six contests. He’s knocked in at least one run in each of those games, giving him 110 for the season, a new career high. The veteran left fielder is also only one jack away from establishing a new career best in that category.

Bay, who apparently picked up some kind of illness or bug from his daughter, left Friday's game in the fifth inning. He was in the original starting lineup for Saturday, but manager Terry Francona pulled him out about 90 minutes prior to game time, and the left fielder sat during Boston's 11-5 victory over the Orioles. Francona said Bay told him after Saturday's game that he'd be ready for the final game of the season series, and the slugger returned and batted fifth Sunday.

Josh Reddick, who replaced Bay in left field on Friday, was back in the lineup as his replacement on Saturday. Bay caught the illness from his daughter and isn't expected to be sidelined for long. Weekly leaguers should still feel comfortable penciling him into their lineups for the week beginning Sept. 21.

With 33 home runs and 106 RBIs, Bay is three shy of setting single-season career highs in both categories. Given his productivity of late -- he's hitting .327 with a .635 slugging percentage during September -- it seems likely that Bay will accomplish that task.

Those who traded Bay for fifty cents on the dollar back when he put up a miserable .192/.394/.295 line in July probably don't want to hear this, but the 30-year-old left fielder has played inspired ball lately, ripping out 12 homers since Aug. 5 with a slugging percentage well over .600. Sometimes it just pays to be patient, especially when you're dealing with a player the caliber of Bay.

Bay, who has popped three out of the park in the last 11 games, went over the 100-RBI mark for the second consecutive season and fourth time in his career. For the season, the multi-talented left fielder is batting .261 with 101 RBIs, 91 runs, 12 steals and a formidable .916 OPS.

Bay becomes the fifth left fielder in Red Sox history to notch at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a season, joining elite company in Manny Ramirez, Jim Rice, Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

Bay continues to provide potent power production. His 31 homers and 97 RBIs are both third-most in the American League, and he has driven in nine runs over his last 10 games. The one concern, from a fantasy perspective, is Bay's batting average -- he hasn't topped .260 since July 12, and Jay-Bay's current average is 20 points below his career .279 mark. Bay provides enough power and peripherals -- he's ninth in the AL in runs scored and his 84 walks are second-most in the AL -- to mitigate that lackluster average, but owners sure wouldn't turn down a few average-boosting multi-hit games. He has had just two multi-hit outings in his last 21 games.