27
2012
Will Going Back To Basics Help Bay Rediscover His Power?
An article by Former Writers
With the Mets making the very necessary adjustments to Citi Field this offseason, Jason Bay is one of the guys the Mets feel will greatly benefit and just maybe he will become the player the Mets hoped to get two offseasons ago.
Jason certainly thinks so and for a guy who has had two miserable seasons as a Met, he carries a lot of confidence into year three of the four year, $66 million dollar contract he signed prior to the 2010 season.
“I’m in the best shape of my life” Jason said to reporters shortly after arriving at the Mets complex in Port St. Luice. Bay admits that mentally at least last season he felt he “couldn’t do it.”
Towards the end of last season Jason said he went back to what got him to play at such a high level and stopped thinking so much and tinkering with his swing. In September Jason had what was arguably his best month as a Met hitting .313 with 3 homers andB13 runs batted in.
Even Terry Collins admits that too many changes were made to Jason’s swing in the past. “We’ve got to use that video we had of him when he was swinging good and try and stay on those tracks.”
Jason understands that Mets fans are frustrated with his performance. They thought they were getting a 30 home run guy and what they have seen thus far is a very average left fielder.
Terry said that if Jason gets off to a slow start they are going to stick with his swing and not make any major adjustments like they did the last two seasons.
With the first two years of this deal down the drain, its unlikely Bay will really ever live up to the deal he signed. With that said there are still two years left on his contract and Jason Bay still has a chance to show that he can still hit the long ball and be a cog in a lineup that desperately needs him to preform at that level.
About the Author: Former Writers
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 28 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 35 | .493 | 7.5 |
| Phillies | 34 | 37 | .479 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 40 | .385 | 14.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 47 | .319 | 19.5 |
Last updated: 06/18/2013
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With the way Bay has been as a Met, you could move the Citi Filed fences in to Little League dimensions and it wouldn’t have mattered. It wasn’t just a drop in power; the guy looked lost. Lots of swings-and-misses, plenty of strikeouts, lack of hits, RBIs and home runs. It remains to be seen what moving the fences in a little will do to help Bay. Or Wright.
What has happened to Bay has happened to a number of major leaguers – be careful what you wish for.
Bay had a pretty successful career – under the radar. Then he went for the big bucks and the bright lights of the big city. He put a great deal of pressure on himself to live up to both the contract and the number one market in baseball and has failed.
His ability hasn’t changed, his hard work hasn’t lessened. But his mindset is affected. He has made it impossible for himself to live up to who he thinks he ought to be.
A real shame because he’s a good guy who’s only crime is that by trying to liveup to what he thinks he should be he has become average.
have to figure that he only has a short leash starting this year. if he is useless vs. RHP again, at some point (June 1?) he will be in some level of platoon, announced or otherwise. That actually could work to the benefit of the team (short and long term) if he is still able to hit well vs. LHP.
If he looks lost versus lefties too, then he is going to be watching most games from the dugout. or his couch.
“They thought they were getting a 30 home run guy and what they have seen thus far is a very average left fielder.”
I would love if Bay has been good enough to be considered “very average.”
I feel bad for omar minaya, at this point he’s the GM who had easily the 3 biggest free agent BUST in new york met franchise history in one term.. WOW..