Who’s better — Jason Bay or Xavier Nady?

The Pittsburgh Pirates must not have wanted the Red Sox to feel left out after Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady went to the New York Yankees. A few short days later, the Red Sox had their own Pirate to do battle against the ne’er-do-wells in the Bronx. But who got the better outfielder?

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“Bay is more versatile,” said one [scout]. “He’s a solid player with good skills in every aspect of the game. I would much rather have Bay than Nady, who is too inconsistent for me.” Here is the counter by the other scout: “Nady is far more talented. He has the potential to be an impact player while Bay is a good, solid, everyday player, but I just don’t see any more upside in him. He is what he is, which is a good player, but Nady could make a greater impact.” (The Boston Globe)

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Call me a biased Red Sox fan, but I can’t fathom what the second scout is smoking. Yes, Xavier Nady is off to a scorching start in New York (hitting an incredible .367/.426/.755 with five homers in 14 games) but this is the first year he’s been considered one of the better players at his position — and he’s 29 with a career .283/.339/.463 line.

There’s another 29-year old former Pirate 206.7 miles to the north who is a former Rookie of the Year, ranked in the top 25 of the MVP voting twice (2005, 2006), been to the All-Star Game and participated in the Home Run Derby and has a career .282/.376/.516 line. What’s this about Nady making a greater impact? Bay being a solid every day player?

Bay had a much-publicized down year last year but so far this year is right back to his 2006 self (remember, he finished in the Top 25 of the MVP voting that year) and someone who is the same age as Bay with 600 less career at-bats is better than Bay? Sorry, I don’t get it.

Nady is more versatile in the field and generally plays right-field while Bay usually plays left, although all of them can play any outfield position with varying ability. Nady also is able to play first-base, but his career outfield fielding percentage is .978 compared to Bay’s .985. Bay’s range factor is 1.98; Nady’s is 1.68.

Nady has 15 career stolen bases; Bay 50. Bay’s trouble with his knees and move to a wary team in Boston when it comes to stolen bases doesn’t make this as much an advantage over Nady as it seems, though.

I’ll take Bay. Do you?