Apr
13
2012

Mets Have No Options With Bay

An article by John Delcos

The Mets have been here before, saddled with an unproductive player and a huge contract. It wasn’t too long ago the Mets cursed the existence of Oliver Perez. Now it is Jason Bay.

A significant difference is while Perez’s attitude in the clubhouse turned teammates against him, Bay remains a popular figure because he plays hard and hustles. He just can’t hit.

With Andres Torres on the disabled list and David Wright possibly heading there, the Mets’ serious lack of depth has been exposed six games into the season.

Realistically, what can the Mets do?

They could drop him in the order as Terry Collins hinted, but he’s still an out waiting to happen. Besides, without Wright – and with Lucas Duda and Ike Davis also not hitting – where’s he going to hit? Sixth? Seventh?

If the Mets had somebody better to play they would, but since they don’t there won’t be a platoon system and they can’t bench him.

Bay’s contract and two years of not hitting makes him nearly impossible to trade. And, do the Mets really want to eat his contract and release him? There’s that egg-in-the-face risk again of him being picked up and producing elsewhere.

The Mets’ best hope with Bay is the same as it was with Perez, and that’s for him to play and eventually fix himself.

Two days ago I thought there might have been a chance of dropping him in the order and then perhaps platooning him because the Mets didn’t want Bay being an anchor to a fast start. But, Wright is hurt and two losses later with the Mets heading to Philadelphia, what was once bright is now bleak.

Bay will stay. Sorry.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

13 Comments + Add Comment

jerseymet April 13, 2012 at 11:16 am

I thought Baxter was the lefthanded bat off the bench. Put him in a platoon with Bay, Time for Baxter to sink or swim. If for no other reason than to limit Bay’s plate apearances and option vesting.
- BadBAdLeroyBrown April 13, 2012 at 12:54 pm
  
  At this point anything will do over watching another Jason Bay at bat….
  
  Hell, Bobby Bonilla is still on the payroll have him replace Bay….
  
  I have more confidence in our pitchers getting on base over Bay
  - tampametsfan April 13, 2012 at 1:15 pm
    
    I would rather have Mr Met playing than Bay.
Russell Zanca April 13, 2012 at 11:22 am

Some, like Joe D, feel his bat speed is gone. If true, hard to see how he can even remain in MLB.

If it turns out that coaches or scouts show that this isn’t really the case, then he is beaten psychologically, and many of his hitting techniques are suffering. Perhaps one option remains a stint in the minors. This might be worth pursuing. You would have a platoon with people like Kirk, Baxter, Hairston. Not ideal, but…

Still, Bay is beginning his five-week countdown–IMO.
Ceetar April 13, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Too early. It’s not that the Mets don’t have options, or worse depth than anyone else, it’s that all those options (as you do hint at) are not as good as the “Don’t make decisions based on 6 games of data” option. When Andres Torres comes back, if Nieuwenhuis is still going good, that opens up more bench time for Bay if he’s not hitting. There’s a lot of data to come that will play in, and speculating now is really a pointless exercise.

Bay can also still provide value by being more selective and at least main a decent OBP via walks. (The Braves proved that they will indeed walk him to face a lefty.) And play a decent LF. It’s not great value, but in an otherwise good lineup, it won’t kill them.
Mr North Jersey April 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Maybe the Mets can fly Delgado in to see if he can be some type of Bay-whisperer and talk Bay into turning it around similar to how Delgado did back in 2008.
Angelo April 13, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Bay will hit , and he will doing just fine . Come on, one bad ump call less and we all would talking about how he helped us winning that game and that he is on his way back . Give the players some games. I mean no talk about Ike right? Let the guys play and believe folks … LETS GO METS
- Mr North Jersey April 13, 2012 at 12:53 pm
  
  Fair enough Angelo but for the record in regards to Bay it’s not about 2012 but rather 2010 through 2012.
tampametsfan April 13, 2012 at 1:12 pm

The Mets NEED to drop Bay because he is an anchor dragging this team down. He is useless on the field and at bat. The Mets have plenty of minor leaguers who could do at LEAST as good as Bay and wouldn’t be a draine on morale. Just dump him and accept that it was a waste of money.
Putaforkinit April 13, 2012 at 2:10 pm

MY Lord…. Who cares… this team is going to lose 100 games or more…. They won 4 games and u think this is a competetive team…. After some more evaluation we will find out Wright will be out 3 Months with complications from a hang nail. I’ve been a loyal fan since ’62 and I’ve had it with the whole organization. The Wilpons s**k and need to sell the WHOLE team….
- Ceetar April 13, 2012 at 2:51 pm
  
  maybe you should look up “loyal fan”
Sponge Bob April 13, 2012 at 2:15 pm

There is nothing we can do about Bay other than hope he turns it around. Theyre not gonna cut him or send him to the minors. I’m actually more concerned about the catching which is something we could have done something about and didnt.
Angelo April 13, 2012 at 7:21 pm

what about Bay right now? 1:19 AM here in germany , Bay hits a 2run BOMB, and all of you non believers and bay haters can kiss my italian ass :p LETS GO METS

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