Bay is the epitome of hustle and professionalism all the time, is an important leader in the clubhouse the players love, Citi Field dimensions will be altered in his favor, he’s shown signs of coming out of his funk, bats right handed, and continues to represent a proven power threat the Mets need. Considering a bunch of surefire homers he lost this season at Citi, I think we will see 20-something homers, 85+ RBI in 2012.

On the other hand, Crawford looks like he’s aged or has gained some fat weight. Whether that’s function of injury or something else, or my imagination, I can’t say, but remains to be seen.

I also don’t see the wisdom of the deal in Alderson terms that would make him pull the trigger. Makes no sense for the Mets in current financial state unless they lose the speed of both Reyes and Pagan, but keep in mind that Crawford said last year he doesn’t want to lead off but prefers batting third. I don’t know if that remains, nor whether batting 6-8 which is where he mainly batted as Red Sox, really dragged him down emotionally. If it did, then perhaps moving him to 1-3, might result in rebound season.

All of those are just as ridiculous as fantasizing that the Red Sox would give us Crawford for Bay.

Though right now, probably still roll the dice and swap them even up.

1. The money: Crawford has 6 years left and much more money than Bay. Even if Boston kicks in money, do you want a potential liability on the books for 6 years rather than 2-3?

2. Crawford had one bad year do you really think they will consider him a bust after one injury-plagued season? They have only labeled Matsuzaka as a bust as of 1 year ago or so.

I see it getting too messy. A good idea at first, but ultimately It would not work I don’t think.

Maybe Carl Crawford suffered through the pressures of signing a new big contract for a new team and we’ve all seen that before, e.g., Beltran, Piazza got off to a rough start, and others.

I also believe that with the fences being moved in we’ll see Bay rebound to some extent.

Interesting proposal though.

if they had basically the same years left, then it could work as a change of scenery, better suited to the other place type of deal.

Bay for 2 more is bad. A Bay-level player for 6 more? really nasty!

But, it is certainly the type of out of the box thinking that I like to see though, and a way to radically remake the team without just bidding on a bunch of expensive FAs.

I would say a more likely shot is something like Bay for Lackey.

I actually look at Bay as a 2 year deal. I really don’t see the option vesting. He is, at this point, no better than a platoon player.

actually, he is a good platoon guy. His overall numbers were mind numbingly bad (and 2011 was noticeably worse than 2010) with a .703 OPS. But, look at the splits:

RHP – .228/.297/.332/.629 OPS
LHP – .300/.418/.500/.918 OPS

That absolutely screams out to be platooned with a young LH hitting prospect. The Mets even have a few that would be logical, just derailed by injuries (Kirk) or general inability to stay on field) F Mart.

assuming no one is brought in for the role, I could easily see a Bay/Martinez platoon out there. heck, make it in RF and let Duda have LF, since Martinez plays right, and bay won’t be out there much anyway.

Hard to see how a guy that finished 7th in the MVP voting in 2009 at age 30 could just fall off a cliff the next year.

The whole premise of this trade is preposterous from every standpoint but it would make people stop and think. Stranger things have happened. Toronto got out from under Wells deal and actually got something for him. This trade would only happen if Boston just wanted out.

As usual the best value by far and away went to the teams that had these guys before they became free agents, not after. Pittsburgh, Boston and Tampa got great play out of these two, the Mets and Red Sox, pretty poor. No surprise to anyone paying attention. CJ Wilson at 6/120 anyone? Prince Fielder at 7/150? Albert Pujols 5/150? Good luck with all that.