Lotta loot for guy with lotta  —  Jason Bay still has to pass a physical (no sure thing).  He still has to pass a stink test that he actually wants to be a Met (no sure thing).  And he still has to pass through several hundred games as a two-way player (no sure thing).

Sources: Cards optimistic about talks  —  There is increased optimism within the St. Louis Cardinals organization that the team is going to reach a deal with free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Tuesday.  —  Holliday

Jeff Pearlman>PEARLS OF WISDOM  —  Yes, Jason Bay is going to be big in New York — a big bust, that is … The statement came 28 years ago.  —  In the winter of 1981-82, the New York Mets were Big Apple nobodies — a star-less, charisma-less franchise coming off of a miserable 41-62 strike-shortened season.

With Bay signed, Adrian Gonzalez Sweepstakes begin  —  The Padres have had preliminary talks about a possible contract extension for Adrian Gonzalez, who has two more years on his current deal.  But it would appear to be very, very unlikely for the Padres to sign Gonzalez beyond 2011, given his potential market stature.

Source: Mets agree to deal with Jason Bay  —  The Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent outfielder Jason Bay, according to a major-league source.  —  The four-year deal is worth $66 million, with a vesting option for a fifth year, according to the source.

Bay comes to terms with the Mets  —  Four-year agreement is pending a physical  —  The relationship between Jason Bay and the Red Sox, one that began with seconds to go until the trade deadline in 2008, apparently has come to an end.  News broke yesterday that Bay has agreed to a four-year deal …

Mets get Bay for 4 years, $66M  —  The Mets have reached agreement on a four-year, $66 million agreement with Jason Bay pending a physical, The Post has learned.  —  Mets officials refused to confirm the agreement, largely because the results of a physical are not complete and the Mets …