21
2011
Bay Leaves 2010 Behind, Focused On A Productive 2011
An article by Craig Lerner
Much was expected of Jason Bay when the Mets decided that he would be the one to fill the power void of the 2009 season and give their core player David Wright some much needed protection in the lineup.
Even critics of his $66 million dollar deal at the time, did not expect Bay’s power numbers to flat-line as they did last season, his first with the New York Mets.
Most of the concern with Bay’s contract was more about the length of the deal and the easily attainable vesting option for a fifth year, than anything else. Sure there were some whispers out of Boston about concerns with his back and his arm, but the medical reports were clean and Bay vehemently denied the rumors.
So where did all that power go? And more importantly, will it ever come back again?
Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger wrote the following,
Before he crashed into the left-field wall in Dodger Stadium last July, Jason Bay’s season was already disintegrating. His performance that month was frightful — a .250 slugging percentage, a strikeout every three at-bats, zero home runs.
A slow start had morphed into a bad season and things were quickly deteriorating just before he injured himself.
Bay says, he was trying to do to much. “All of a sudden, I kind of started changing things,” he said yesterday, “and trying to do a little too much.”
When asked yesterday about what he hopes to accomplish this season, Bay replied:
“More than anything, I just want to get back to the player that I know I am. I kind of lost that a little bit last year. Like I said, I’m not out there to try to prove anybody right or wrong — more myself to just go out there and be consistent and be the guy I’m supposed to be.”
When asked how many homeruns he believes he can hit this season, he said:
“Thirty, I think, is reasonable. Yeah, it’s a big ballpark. And the number might take a hit… David Wright hit near 30. It can be done. It’s not so much about the home runs. It’s about the overall production. For me anyway, if I’m driving in runs, I would like the home runs — no question. But I still need to drive in runs.”
I would expect a solid bounce-back season from Bay in 2010. He had a lot of things working against him: a new league, a huge ballpark, the pressure of a big contract, playing in the hotbed of the New York media, and joining a Mets team with a dozen monkeys on its back.
Like Bay said, I’m more concerned with his overall production: getting on base and driving in runs.
Whether he does it by hitting booming homeruns or blasting doubles off the wall is of little concern to me. Show me an OPS of .850+ and a slugging percentage at or above .500 and everything else will simply take care of itself.
About the Author: Craig Lerner
I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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well he the first crappy year out of the way, now hopefully the real jason bay will stand up.he could make a big difference if he regains his form.good luck to him, we need him.
Beltran didn’t live up to expectations in 2005, but recovered nicely.
The year before free agency these guys work out like deamons, they walk into the same club house, hit in the same line up, bat against the same pitchers, live in the same house, know where everything is.
The next off season is filled with recruiting visits, contract offers, negotiations, decisions, media obligations, housing and school considerations, new club house, new city, new line up, unfamiliar pitchers (when they change leagues)
By the time they get to exhale the season has just started and their not mentally and physically prepared for their first year.
It’s also one thing to play for the big contract and another thing entirely to live up to it.
Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t Beltran hurt on and off in 2005?
yeah, Quad early, collision with Cameron later.
Sorry for not sharing your enthusiasm, but what we saw before Bay got hurt was a player in decline playing in a park that took away most of the cheap homers he used to get in Boston and Pittsburgh. Sorry, Bay was not the slugger we thought we were getting, or the slugger this team needs.
He wasn’t the right guy for this team or this home field but how often do you get the right guy when you expect free agency to fill every hole you ever have.
I mean really, s**t if there is one team and one set of fans in the world out there that should know that free agents production is as risky as it gets is us.
Long time established veterans suddenly offered around present an equally risky investment.
The common denominator to me is when their on their last contract. Five and seven year deals are too long. Three and out or look elsewhere. Adopt the attitude that you want your players leaving with a year or two left in the tank. That way when they leave, they leave behind some draft picks or something to help sustain your team.
Don’t sign guys who are going to retire at the end of the deal. Get guys with more tread on their tires than years on their contract.
The thing with Bay is not to press but take a solid approach, and protect whom ever is in front of you (Beltran or Ike) use the entire field. If Citi field is so cavernous, go the other way or hit the gaps. Just try to put solid wood on the ball. The numbers will come, try playing small ball like the Astros & Cardinals in the 80′s. Know your role in the lineup!
that seems to be what he is saying. Just relax, stay within his swing, and drve the hell out of th eball. Pretty much has to not worry about trying harder for homeruns, and just take the ones that come.
He should have a ton of guys on for him to drive in (something he was dismal at last year). And if Ike has a nice step-up 2nd year, plenty of protection, especailly with a RH SP on the mound.