According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets will not cut slumped outfielder Jason Bay in neither the offseason or this spring said a team source. Puma’s source went as far to say there is “zero” chance that the organization will release him or be asked to compete for a job in Spring Training.
The source said many decisions regarding the makeup of next year’s roster still have not been determined, but team brass has already resolved to stick with Bay.
“He’s a part of this team,” the source said.
Before last night’s 6-2 win over the Pirates, Bay, who didn’t play, said he had no knowledge of the organization’s plans for him. However, he didn’t seem to think competing for a job in spring training would be a fruitful exercise.
“I don’t think there’s a role they are going to put me in that they haven’t already seen, is there?” Bay said. “You’re talking about Oliver Perez shows up, they try to make him a lefty specialist. I’ve played every day. I’ve not played every day. I don’t know. I’ll do whatever I can.”
What is working in Bay’s favor is the uncertainty surrounding the outfield in 2013. When I asked Collins about that very subject, he mentioned two people in particular that he hopes to work extensively this Spring Training with: Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Jason Bay. He expressed the need for Bay to get back on track and return to form in 2013. Is that hoping for a lot? I think we all know the answer to that one.
Also, a trade involving Bay isn’t feasible unless they were to take on a bad contract in return, and given the fact that he is entering the final stretch of a four-year $66 million deal, I would say it is best for them to wait out his deal rather than take on more years of someone else’s problem simply for the sake of change.
Looks like Bay watch will be in Flushing come 2013 afterall.
