‘Zero’ chance Mets release Bay this offseason: source
Well here we go again with fluff. I am not sure what to think of this. The Mets are still hurting for rmoney and there’s no one giving ten cent for Jason Bay. Are they really thinking of bringing Bay back, possibly as a platoon partner for Lucas Duda? Or is this just lip service to the fact that they can’t just come out and say we will either trade or release Jason Bay, he’s finished?
One thing that I continue to bring up is that Jason Bay is known to be a model citizen, hard worker and great clubhouse guy. That buys you a long time, but how long?
“I don’t think there’s a role they are going to put me in that they haven’t already seen, is there?” Bay said. “You’re talking about Oliver Perez shows up, they try to make him a lefty specialist. I’ve played every day. I’ve not played every day. I don’t know. I’ll do whatever I can.”
I guess I am a little confused by the Perez comment and would have to see that in context but is there still a role for Bay? Is it possible that his demeanor would allow him to become the 5th OF and a platoon partner if needed? He doesn’t seem to be a clubhouse distraction, only a fan distraction. We always need one to blame the ill fate of the world against. Heilman, Pelfrey, Looper, Castillo, Perez… the list goes on and on. Here’s the question though, if you cut Bay where does that arrow point to next? Thole if you are back, your days may be numbered for sure.
Whatever the Mets decide, I hope they are able to rise above fan opinion. I have seen the comment throw the fans a bone many times lately. I have no desire for the Mets to act based on fan opinion anymore. That’s what got us in this mess. Do what is right for the team long-term. Get the team back on stable footing and then worry about getting fans in. As the Marlins can tell you, you can’t just go from last to first by throwing money at a mess and trying to please the fans.
38 comments
Paul Festa
9/25/2012-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
They might bring him to Spring Training to see if he can contribute anything at all, like they did with Castillo and Ollie last year. And if he’s still a black hole, they’ll release him.
They have so much money tied up in Bay that they’re trying to squeeze every last bit of production out of him they can.
Pacific NorthTex
9/25/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
I think you summed it up perfectly, Paul. At the very best, he is picked up by another team and the Mets get 400K in relief.
darknova306
9/25/2012-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Fans might not want to hear it, but the team gains nothing by releasing him before ST. Bring him to ST, watch him look embarrassing, decide there are better options in the system for outfielders that can’t hit, and release him.
nulifeonline
9/25/2012-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
There’s really no other option then to keep him, I guess as a guy who will randomly start against left pitchers, and come in as a defensive replacement for Duda. Obviously not good for a $16 million player, but…….
TRS86
9/25/2012-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, unless there is a trade bad player for bad player they might as well keep him until they find someone better for the spot. Then you can talk about releasing him.
TRS86
9/25/2012-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
By the way, welcome to TRDM!
nulifeonline
9/25/2012-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Unfortunately, he will remain the most expensive bench player in baseball again next year. But who knows, he may hit over .250 and bang out at least 10 homers. Hopefully make some great plays as a defensive replacement for Duda in late innings.
srt
9/25/2012-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
If this ‘source’ is to be believed, that would lead me to think that any upgrade in the OF this off season doesn’t include LF.
If they’re keeping Bay, I’d be surprised to see him playing anywhere but LF. So he’s either a platoon partner or more likely a late inning defensive replacement. Would make sense if they’re going to roll with Duda in LF.
I really thought they’d bring him to ST, get a long look and if it’s just more of the same, release him before opening day. We shall see….
TRS86
9/25/2012-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
I think they would rather bring back Hairston to platoon with Duda but if he is too expensive or wants to get the hell up outta here then they have to have a backup plan. No reason cutting up the backup plan yet.
boldib
9/25/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
I’m fed up with this quasi-journalistic anonymous quote
bullsh-t from a ” team source” or a “baseball insider” or
some such garbage. And let’s face it, every time one of these main stream “journalists” throws one of these
damning statements out there the effect is immediate and his job is done. Circulation, exposure = money.
The blogosphere pounces as they should.
If, in fact, these quotes are invented or twisted or
turned upside down and backwards, then these
Post/ESPN/Daily News etc. typists should be banned from the clubhouse and any direct contact. The editorializing that would ensue couldn’t do more damage than the disastrous PR generated from this
bottom-feed writing.
TRS86
9/25/2012-5:35pm at 5:35 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, tell us how you really feel…
Stickguy
9/25/2012-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
well, cutting bay is not sacrificing something of value to appease the angry fans. It is making the team better now, and in the future, too. That is known as a win-win-win.
So I am voting for smoke blowing, for what reason though I have no clue.
Like Paul said (and I am on record saying), assuming (logically) he can’t be traded for anything you would want back, he will get to come to ST, and if he looks to be the same (or even worse, hard as that is to imagine) he will be gone.
absolute worst case, there is no one else taking the job, and he gets to play the GMjr. role, and spend April being useless as a platoon guy.
I still don’t understand why they still seem to feel that he can rebound to a productive player. and can they honestly be worse cutting him, and using a minimum wage guy instead?
srt
9/25/2012-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
‘I still don’t understand why they still seem to feel that he can rebound to a productive player. and can they honestly be worse cutting him, and using a minimum wage guy instead?’
What you said…..
Trs86
9/25/2012-8:05pm at 8:05 pm (UTC -4)
So, anyone still want to talk about Heffer?
SaltyGary
9/25/2012-8:17pm at 8:17 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry but no. I’m on vacation this week and I’ve done nothing but start drinking at noon and shoved meat in a smoker since Saturday. If I don’t make it, I just want to say I love you all almost as much as I love this stupid friggen team that gives me nothing but angina and makes me drink all day.
Hazmet
9/25/2012-9:03pm at 9:03 pm (UTC -4)
Hit the “I love you man” stage of intoxication. Well done, a vacation well spent. Two thumbs up.
srt
9/25/2012-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
Love The Mets.
Love TRDM.
Enjoy, Salty!
darknova306
9/25/2012-11:10pm at 11:10 pm (UTC -4)
Hahaha! Happy vacation, Salty! Drink up, sir!
srt
9/25/2012-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
No, anymore than I do Collin McHugh right about now.
And it doesn’t sound good for Carson who had to come out after throwing his last pitch and grabbing his pitching elbow/arm and throwing a panicked look into the dugout.
‘Left elbow strain’. Xrays negative, MRI tomorrow.
Hazmet
9/25/2012-8:59pm at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
So here’s the Mets OF for next year:
Trade for Gomez in CF
Sign Melky short term on the cheap coming off of the roids
Platoon Duda and Bay in LF
Lowest cost solution if they decide to do anything on the market.
Trs86
9/25/2012-9:38pm at 9:38 pm (UTC -4)
Everyone knows my thoughts on Gomez but I want nothing to do with Melky.
srt
9/25/2012-10:51pm at 10:51 pm (UTC -4)
What TRS said.
Stick
9/25/2012-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll take it Haz but swap out bay for some other RH batter. Hairston, Lagares, my son (he was a pretty good hitting 2B, and is graduating college in May and will need a job!).
hey, team has issues, so I’ll give Melky a shot for a year. Beggars and choosers you know.
srt
9/25/2012-10:52pm at 10:52 pm (UTC -4)
Congrats to David Wright who tied the all time Met hits record tonight.
Just. Re-sign. Him.
gategem
9/26/2012-1:48am at 1:48 am (UTC -4)
When Bay had one of his rare productive games TC said:
“You see that and you know it’s still there. It’s not like this guy has lost his strength, it’s not like he has lost his bat speed. He has not. That’s why we continue to search for answers. Great defender, great base runner, great power. All the things he came here [with] he still has. We’ve just got to figure out what’s causing the issue with getting some hits.”
If the Mets feel this way then Bay will be patrolling LF next season.
Stickguy
9/26/2012-7:59am at 7:59 am (UTC -4)
Terry is more senile than I thought. Though if he is correct, in theory there is still hope.
and it sounds like he just can’t see or react to he ball anymore, which is a minor problem for a hitter!
gategem
9/26/2012-9:45am at 9:45 am (UTC -4)
Davey Johnson is 69 and leading the Nationals to a division title. TC is 63 and a senile old fart. Alzheimer’s can strike people at your age. Have you seen your physician lately?
srt
9/26/2012-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
Sports and politicians…..the only two employers where folks work way past the normal retirement age.
Must be the money, right?
gategem
9/26/2012-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Orchestra conductor is another occupation to add to that list. The great Leopold Stokowski born in 1882, died in 1977 and was still conducting in 1975 at the age of 93.
wanny
9/26/2012-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
To answer TRS’s question: after Bay, the arrow should point to Johan.
I have nothing but respect for Johan but right now his contract is enemy #1 against the Mets being able to rebuild quickly.
TRS86
9/26/2012-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
True but it’s not likely that the fans will turn on Johan. I am sure FFF could be a likely target as could any other scrub they bring in. It does amaze me how the fans seem to actively campaign against one player at a time until it gets to the point that there’s no way they could be successful. I am guilty of it at times too.
Stickguy
9/26/2012-5:33pm at 5:33 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, but you have to admit, Bay deserves it.
Trs86
9/26/2012-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
Why? Because he’s an ass like Perez or pouted like Castillo or threw everyone under the bus? He just sucks, not like he is dogging it. I mean he has ran almost through walls trying to make p for it.
Stick
9/26/2012-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
no, not because he is a bad egg. Just thanks to being the worst position player in MLB.
wanny
9/26/2012-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
If the Mets intend to trade Dickey and Wright, perhaps the Rangers would be interested in Dickey for Mike Olt. It’d be more likely that they’d deal Olt than Andrus. And Olt could be a replacement for either Wright or Davis if they intend to go that route.
TRS86
9/26/2012-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
Thing is I have no idea what they are going to do with Profar if they keep Andrus. To me they have to trade him for a top level pitcher.
Wanny
9/26/2012-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
Andrus is not being traded for a 37 year old. Profar is a baby still. I don’t think this is the year they will make a trade to create room for him.
Trs86
9/26/2012-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
You may be right about the Dickey part but they already called up Profar and he was in AA this year. He’s coming fast, they don’t have pitching to match their hitting and they aren’t trading Profar.