It’s the calm before the storm for Jason Bay and the Red Sox.

The 31-year-old outfielder will be one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. It’s also a strong possibility he will return to Boston once he tests the market for the first time in his career.

For now, the Sox still have exclusive rights to negotiate with Bay until Nov. 20.

But Bay’s agent, Joe Urbon, says that he has been in contact with other clubs about Bay, although they’re not allowed to talk contracts until the 20th.

It’s unlikely the Red Sox and Bay will finalize a deal before then, given the fact this is his first opportunity to test the free-agent market, and he’s said in the past he’s interested in learning about the entire process.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said after the season was over that he was confident the club would re-sign Bay. Talks are ongoing, but there’s nothing imminent.

"We’ve had dialogue with Theo about Jason,” said Urbon, “and I presume we’ll continue to talk, but I really think the expectation from our side, and from what I’ve heard Theo say publicly from the Red Sox side, is we’ll probably carry this over into free agency with the expectation to continue to have dialogue."

Bay has said he wants to return to Boston, and is seeking in the range of $60 million for four years.

"I’m comfortable here,” Bay said after the Sox were swept by the Angels in the ALDS. “I’ve said before it really doesn’t come down to just dollars. It’s not all about money. The situation I was in before in Pittsburgh — we weren’t winning a lot of games. When you come here, you win ballgames and have playoff opportunities, and that’s a huge factor. It really makes baseball enjoyable again. A team that is set up to win and a place where my family is comfortable. I’m comfortable here. It’s more desirable than most places."

"He has made that clear," said Urbon. "When you say that as often as he has said that throughout the (2009) season, which he has, even on the heels of free agency he’s said that and I don’t think it’s any surprise."

Urbon says that Bay has been the most consistent outfielder in baseball for the last five years.

He’s played more than 151 games in four of the last five seasons and has hit 30 or more homers with 100 or more RBI during that stretch.

Since coming to the Red Sox via a three-team trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, Bay has been in talks with Epstein about re-signing once his contract expired at the end of the 2009 season. Back in July, the sides were quietly close to an extension, but both decided to table talks until the end of the season.

“I don’t want to characterize it in any way," said Urbon of past discussions. "There are so many different interpretations of close. The reality is there wasn’t an agreement made — then or now."

Urbon is reluctant to reveal the number of clubs he has spoken with, but did admit there’s interest from both leagues. He did say the conversations have been very "engaging."

"We’ve had some good dialogue with clubs about Jason to the extent we can have," said Urbon. "It’s more just their interest level, and that’s as far as we’ve gone. We’ve communicated that to Jason and we’ll continue that dialogue until we come to an agreement with somebody, whether that’s the Red Sox or somebody else. But we have been pleased with the type of dialogue and the things we’re hearing from other clubs."

jmcdonal@projo.com