29
2009
Mets Sign Jason Bay To A 4 Year Deal
An article by 
As first reported on WFAN by Mike Francesa, the Mets have reached agreement on a four-year, $66 million dollar contract with Jason Bay pending a physical.
Although Mets officials refused to confirm the agreement, Francesa said that only a physical stands in the way and that the team will hold a press conference making the announcement official early next week.
Joel Sherman of the NY Post warns that the “physical might not be a formality”.
“There has been a lot of talk in the sport that the Red Sox were hesitant to do a long-term deal with Bay because they were concerned about the health of his shoulders.”
The thing I like most about this deal is that the Mets actually get Jason Bay on their own terms. The guaranteed fifth year the Bay camp had been hoping for is instead a vesting option, so big props to the Mets for standing firm against the five year deal.
Bay batted .267 last season with a .384 OBP and a .921 OPS. In 531 at-bats, he hit 36 homers, scored 103 runs, drove in 119, and stole 13 bases.
I’m glad this is finally behind us, and in Jason Bay the Mets get themselves a quality player who will add some thump into the middle of the lineup.
Welcome to New York Jason Bay, and enjoy the first of what will be many graphics!
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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i like this deal. Bay will be a great bat in the lineup. Hope he’s healthy. But i am worried about the Mets following through and adding the best pitchers available. Sheets/Bedard; Chapman/Maya. Was Omar serious when he seemed content with the current rotation, the other day? i sure the heck hope he’s a big joker!
This is a start, but more is needed. The Mets need to add to starting pitching as the current rotation is filled with problems on the way. Tthe minimum they must do in this offseason is add a pitcher. The best path is most likely though a trade. Can we trust Omar to get this done without screwing up?
Good day for Mets fans, finally!
Good move
We finally have a Good Bay!
HHahaa! Ouch!
Can anyone tell me how much payroll flexibility the Mets are assumed to have now?
If we believe the blog guys, its 22 – 16.5 = 5.5mm? But before Madden threw sand on the picture, the number started at around at 30 – 35mm – 16.5 = 13.5mm – 18.5mm left to work with, which would be nice. Who knows? That’s my worry. i just hope we have enough left to go after some good pitching.
Good move…and a 4 yraer deal! Now get a number two!
For better or worse Bay’s a Met. If the deal is backloaded and we’re able to procure some more talent via a shrewd deal or two and another signing or two, i’ll a bit more impressed. At least Bay signing gives us all hope that this off-season will produce some new results as opposed to the last 3 years.
The lineup will improve. But finishing third instead of fourth is not my idea of success. We need a big time starter and there really aren’t any around. To me Sheets has the most upside, but they will have to cross their fingers with him. Guys who have arm surgery are usuqally god for awhile. Bedard is a crybaby lockerroom cancer. He also seems to be a bit of a hypochondriac. Guys like Garland and Piniero will not be difference makers. I am for Sheets if he throws well when they go to see him. If they go to see him.
I’m glad they got him, but the spin that’s put on the fifth year is laughable. He could really stink up Citifield in years 3 and 4, but as long as he’s not hurt badly in year 4, we would be stuck with him for year 5.
I think he is going to really help the Mets, but let’s be honest: They compromised on the fifth year. That’s a far cry from saying “The Mets got him on their terms.”
If they had to do this to get the deal done, Okay, but it still seems like the Mets caved to the enormous pressure of not doing anything all winter.
oh, if it’s back loaded, that would definitely make it better, but if the real # is 22 and not 30+, we’d still be short of cash, going after good pitching.
Regardless of what anyone else was thinking this was bound to happen. What other options did Bay really have? Now that he’s off the market, a holliday deal is bound to happen. Bay did not get the deal he desired nor will holliday. Holliday will require more money for more years and I believe the Mets did a fine job of waiting out. Honestly, I am waiting to see a molina signing from this team as well. No other team is going to spend that kind of money that molina commands and it will be on the Mets terms as well because no one else is going to outbid us.
This was a good signing and they did a fine job of waiting out because no one else was going to sign him but until I see a press conference I won’t get too excited. Anything can happen between now a nd a week.
At least thats over. I like bay in the middle of the line up. Now, get me a starter and I will be content with this baseball team for 2010
Hey you naysayers out there the Mets just added the big bat in the middle that they needed, don’t have to pursue Delgado, Murph can stay at first or Mets could get a RH bat to share some time, and it was on Omar’s time not Bay, his agent and their mystery team.
Now Mets need some depth for bench, someway to improve 2b defense and two or three innings eating pitchers plus hope on rebound for Maine, Pelf and Ollie. This would give Mets depth and flexibility in rotation and BP.
Come on Jdon can’t you see how much better Mets will be with the return of their all-stars and now a big bat to protect David in order?
You make it seem like Mets will be fielding the team that finished this year in Sep.
I am glad Mets did it on their terms and now Molina better get the msg cause I haven’t seen any other teams vying to give him a 3 yr contract.
Lets Go Met!