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Memories of Jason Bay

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 11:48 AM

JASON BAY AND METS AGREE TO PART WAYS Agreement Grants Bay Unrestricted Free Agency FLUSHING, N.Y., November 7, 2012 – Jason Bay and the New York Mets today announced a negotiated early expiration of his contract. The agreement provides Bay his unconditional free agency while the Mets gain roster flexibility. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “Jason is a great teammate, hard worker, stand-up guy, and true gentleman,” said Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon. “Like Jason, we had planned for the kind of production here that he enjoyed in Boston and Pittsburgh, where he established himself as one of the game’s top players. We wish Jason and his family success and happiness in the future.” “Jason has a tremendous work ethic. There was never any question about it,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “Unfortunately, the results weren’t there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason for his efforts and wish him well.” "I still feel I have plenty to give to this game and that I can play baseball at a high level. But after serious consideration, both sides agree that we would benefit from a fresh start," said Bay. "I'm grateful we were able to reach an agreement to allow that to happen. I’m excited to keep playing and have no intention of just walking away. I enjoyed my time in New York. I have no regrets in signing with the Mets, other than that I wasn’t able to play to the level that the team, the fans and I all expected and that we weren’t able to win more games. I move on with nothing but an appreciation for the organization and its fans and best wishes to all my teammates there." “As I’ve previously said, there’s not a player who tried harder to succeed or was more frustrated and disappointed than Jason himself,” said Mets Manager Terry Collins. “I’ll miss Jason’s presence in the clubhouse as a player, teammate, and person.” Bay was signed as a free agent by the Mets on January 5, 2010 to a four-year contract with a vesting option for a fifth year.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2012 11:50 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

wOw. Now let's do the same for Santana.

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 11:50 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: wOw. Now let's do the same for Santana. no.

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 11:54 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Besides the ridiculous level of suck, Jason Bay did play hard. I can recall more than one occasion where he made some very nice defensive plays that got him banged up in the process. I wish him well as long as it's not the NL East or the Yankees.

Farmer Ted Nov 07 2012 11:57 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

His face never met an outfield wall it didn't like. This should help address the financial flexibility question. Perhaps he got a Bobby Bonilla deal?

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 12:00 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Farmer Ted wrote: His face never met an outfield wall it didn't like. This should help address the financial flexibility question. Perhaps he got a Bobby Bonilla deal? I doubt something that extreme, the Mets don't have a Madoff to invest the money with that we're aware of. (and if they're getting that kind of return, spend some more of it will ya?) But I imagine, especially given the timing, that it frees up this year a bit.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 12:04 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

More interesting than memories is what this ultimately means. A pessimistic point of view: Resigning Wright and Dickey was explicitly laid out by Alderson as priorities 1 and 1B for the offseason. Maybe moving on to this complex maneuver suggest negotiations are going nowhere on those fronts. An optimistic point of view: Demonstrating competitive seriousness was certainly hinted at by both Wright and Dickey as something of a pre-requisite for getting them to sign. That's largely a cliche that most everybody invokes, but maybe shedding Bay is Sandy demonstrating the organization's competitive seriousness.

Vic Sage Nov 07 2012 12:04 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

i don't know that we have any more flexibility. Why would Bay give up a penny of what his contract gives him? To be released now rather than April? He's going to get a lowball offer (if any) no matter where he goes, and getting released early doesn't change that.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2012 12:05 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

It's a weird situation. I am sure he's not walking away without a penny of what's owed him, the union wouldn't like that.

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 12:07 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Vic Sage wrote: i don't know that we have any more flexibility. Why would Bay give up a penny of what his contract gives him? To be released now rather than April? He's going to get a lowball offer (if any) no matter where he goes, and getting released early doesn't change that. deferred payments? Even if the Mets decide to pay him 10 this year and 10 next year, that's a ton more flexibility for them and another million for Bay. I'm sure they worked out something. Also, I'm not sure if the Mets released him if anyone else was allowed to pay him more than the league minimum. This, however slim he sees it, gives him the opportunity to negotiate.

Gwreck Nov 07 2012 12:10 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Bay was owed $13 million for 2013, plus a $3 buyout of a 2014 option year. (There was also a vesting option for 2014 based on plate appearances but we can safely assume that would never have happened). Maybe the Mets made it clear to Jason that he'd never be more than a pinch hitter and, I don't know, they saved a million or two by just releasing him now?

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 12:11 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Yeah, I mean, he shouldn't walk away with any less, but buyouts happen all the time, and somehow both parties are able to convince themselves it's to their advantage.

Ceetar Nov 07 2012 12:12 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Gwreck wrote: Bay was owed $13 million for 2013, plus a $3 buyout of a 2014 option year. (There was also a vesting option for 2014 based on plate appearances but we can safely assume that would never have happened). Maybe the Mets made it clear to Jason that he'd never be more than a pinch hitter and, I don't know, they saved a million or two by just releasing him now? $16 + 3 actually. reports are that the Mets will pay him all of that, i guess it's just a matter of when/how.

seawolf17 Nov 07 2012 12:16 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Nishioka walked away from his contract with the Twins. So there's precedent there. But yep, I doubt Bay's leaving any money on the table. Maybe in the short term, but I'd bet it's likely a Bonilla-type deal, which I'm okay with.

Nymr83 Nov 07 2012 12:21 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Good news! Memories of Bay.... Yeah, I got nothing. He tried hard on defense, I just wish his bat hadn't vanished when he signed here. I don't see why he wouldn't have left ANY money on the table. He was owed 13+3, maybe he decided he'd rather take 12 or 13 and try to play every day somewhere with a team that isn't ddown on him.

TransMonk Nov 07 2012 12:22 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

My memory of Jason Bay will be that he was one of the highest-paid, lowest-output guys the Mets have EVER signed. I'm sure he's a nice guy and a hard worker, but I'd rather him have been a prick that produced.

themetfairy Nov 07 2012 12:23 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I'm always going to pull for guys from the Pacific Northwest. But this was just a horrible situation - every time he'd seemingly get on track, he'd injure himself anew. The man tried, and you could see the pain on his face. Sorry that things didn't work out better Jason - we wanted to love you!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2012 12:40 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

The memory that sticks out for me was his getting hurt late in spring training, only a few days before the 2011 season began. For as big a stiff as he was in 2010, at least you could look at the history of Met free agents in general, and at Bay's history in particular, and think a good year could still happen. In fact, one of the most persuasively hopeful themes of that whole offseason (I seem to remember Sandy Alderson saying as much) was the expectation we'd get some kind of normal season out of the guy. And just when it looked as though we might, BAM. Willie Harris is your opening day left fielder. I don't even remember what the injury was but got-dam if I wasn't pissed at that. Sure enough that set the tone for another shitty season (his and ours) and probably should have gotten released back then. The other things I recall about Bay: Reading an analysis at Baseball Think Factory predicting he'd flop as a Met as he'd aged rapidly (it concluded he'd already become a guess hitter whose success was mainly pulling HRs at the Monster). And being at the game when he bashed his skull for the second time this year, ruining what was about the peak of the 2012 season for the mets and serving as the worst opening act of REO Speedwagon's career.

smg58 Nov 07 2012 12:46 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

TransMonk wrote: I'm sure he's a nice guy and a hard worker, but I'd rather him have been a prick that produced. This.

Farmer Ted Nov 07 2012 12:49 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

He'll win the triple crown and a gold glove for the Nationals this year.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 12:52 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Recent openers for REO Copper Box: Rob Drabkin: Lois Carlson: [youtube]8mRr1vwVP0k[/youtube] Mike Ingram:

metirish Nov 07 2012 12:56 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Bay gets all his money....and it's a lot CBS Bay is getting all of the $21 million he was owed ($16 million for 2013, a $3-million buyout for 2014 and $2 million left on a signing bonus), CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports. Some of the payment is deferred, freeing up some money for the Mets this offseason. Sources tell CBSSports.com senior writer Danny Knobler that the deferral is over a relatively short period of time, meaning it won't linger on the team's books like Bobby Bonilla's contract. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-o ... -part-ways

Benjamin Grimm Nov 07 2012 12:56 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I can't see this as anything other than good news. I imagine that one way or another, this will give the Mets some additional payroll flexibility. As some have said above, I doubt that this will cost Bay even a nickel, but maybe he agreed to take $100,000 per year for the next 190 years. Or even a million a year for the next 19 years. (I know, interest would have to factor into this too.) I guess I'm hoping this is like the Bobby Bonilla thing, only a lot less stupid. I'm very curious to learn the details. EDIT: metirish's post snuck in just ahead of mine.

metsmarathon Nov 07 2012 12:57 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

holy bleeping bleepity bleep! i'm flabbergasted. i feel like i'm being hoodwinked. how in tarnation did this just happen? jason bay tried really really hard. too hard for his face. i'll miss him in a way. i'll also be inclined to pick him up in every fantasy league i play in, but only if he's super-duper cheap.

metirish Nov 07 2012 12:58 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

metsmarathon wrote: holy bleeping bleepity bleep! i'm flabbergasted. i feel like i'm being hoodwinked. how in tarnation did this just happen? . me too, I thought Ceetar made it up for a lugh.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 01:00 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I can't see this as anything other than good news. Thus ending speculation that you and Howard Megdal are the same person.

Mets – Willets Point Nov 07 2012 01:12 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I'm as happy as a little girl!!!

G-Fafif Nov 07 2012 03:08 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

One brief interlude of unsuck: June 28, 2011 -- breaks the Mets' grand slam drought that dated back to August 1, 2009, by walloping a four-run four-bagger off Daniel Schlereth at Comerica Park; Carlos Beltran hits the next grand slam one inning later, Mets win, 14-2. July 3, 2011:-- works two-out, three-two walk versus Mariano Rivera with Mets down a run in the bottom of the ninth, setting the stage to prevent MFY sweep. After Ronny Paulino singles him home for the tie, Bay drives in winner in the tenth off Hector Noesi. Mets win, 3-2. Met him once, at Mets 2010 kids holiday party, spent five-ten minutes in conversation with a couple of other bloggers. Very affable, made me laugh when one of my blolleagues used the term "media" in an all-encompassing fashion. "You're media?" he asked. I spent the rest of his tenure feeling kind of bad about not being able to stand his presence. But it was intolerable by 2012.

metsguyinmichigan Nov 07 2012 03:45 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

G-FAFIF noted: June 28, 2011 -- breaks the Mets' grand slam drought that dated back to August 1, 2009, by walloping a four-run four-bagger off Daniel Schlereth at Comerica Park; Carlos Beltran hits the next grand slam one inning later, Mets win, 14-2. I was in attendance for this, and explaining baseball strategy to my daughter. I noted that Schlereth would give the batter ahead of Bay nothing to hit because he would rather pitch to Bay, because Bay is a bum. And, sure enough, Bay goes blammo, proving that Dad doesn't know as much as he thinks he does.

Zvon Nov 07 2012 06:01 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

There's a number of things I'd like to happen this off season. This was on the list. Bye Bay. You're a hard worker and a good guy and blah, blah, blah, cya.

A Boy Named Seo Nov 07 2012 06:49 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

His 26 homers and 124 RBI look great if they were from 1 season and not 3.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 06:57 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I remember a two-homer game against the Bronx Menace as well.

Frayed Knot Nov 07 2012 07:19 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

NYM Memories of Jason Bay: * Gave him away at the exact wrong time * Got him back at the exact wrong time Other than that it was a sweet ride. Part 1) Only three months after trading for him, the Mets turned him around in a deal for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed. In a lot of ways a typical Steve Phillips deal; seemingly obsessed with finding that most elusive of prey: the perfect reliever, he showed himself willing to deal whatever it took to get him/them to the point of including whatever minor leaguers the other side wanted because he pretty much treated them as if indistinguishable pieces of firewood who may or may not ever prove worth their spark. Bay had less than 400 ABs as a baby Met, but they were relatively promising [~.280/.370/.450] for a 23 y/o who could play all 3 OF positions. IOW, while most prospects prove to eventually fall short of whatever promise they have while young, not all of them are created equal either and it pays to pay attention to how you're tossing around those pieces. Part 2) We know all about this part. Maybe the downfall was foreseeable to some extent although that's easy to say in hindsight and it certainly wasn't to the degree it became. What it certainly did was to help prove the maxim about how it's easier to recover from failing to sign a player than it to sign him at the wrong price, and about how, with the exception of a small handful of players, the production this guy you're lusting after will provide probably isn't as unique as you think.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 07:50 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

There's also --- and this is quite speculative --- maybe a cautionary tale about entering the market with one foot. Omar set his sights from the beginning on the second-best slugging outfielder that offseason, perhaps hoping there'd be a less aggressive market for him and the Mets could get 85% of the production at 70% of the financial commitment. The Holliday/Bay Case (and wouldn't we all like to visit Holliday Bay?) might be cited in suggesting to a future GM that if you're going to be a bear, be a great big bad-ass bear. Maybe one with wings and gills to breathe under water.

MFS62 Nov 07 2012 09:05 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I've heard it said that the two happiest days in a boat owner's life are the day he gets it and the day he gets rid of it. Today was my second Jason Bay happy day. It almost made up for my 5 1/2 hour commute drive home tonight. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2012 09:31 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I think what the Mets wanted was the appearance of having gone after a big fish, and Bay probably carried just as much equity as a Big Fish as Holliday and that's what the "bargain" was. The effort to cast Bay as a kind of Brand Name was evident in the desperation of dressing him in the No. 44 jersey he wore as a Red Sox, pretending that his equity as a 38 in Pittsburgh never existed. The Mets were also shamelessly going after "Sweet Caroline" at that point. No imagination.

Edgy MD Nov 07 2012 09:45 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think what the Mets wanted was the appearance of having gone after a big fish, and Bay probably carried just as much equity as a Big Fish as Holliday and that's what the "bargain" was. That's sort of what I sort of mean, yeah.

Vic Sage Nov 08 2012 08:31 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

The Holliday/Bay Case (and wouldn't we all like to visit Holliday Bay?) might be cited in suggesting to a future GM that if you're going to be a bear, be a great big bad-ass bear. Maybe one with wings and gills to breathe under water. i totally agree with this. its the half-measures that kill you. oh and by the way, i think it was actually Lullaby Bay, close by to Hushabye Mountain: A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain Softly blows o'er lullaby bay. It fills the sails of boats that are waiting-- Waiting to sail your worries away. It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain And your boat waits down by the key. The winds of night so softly are sighing-- Soon they will fly your troubles to sea. So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain. Wave good-bye to cares of the day. And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain Sail far away from lullaby bay. -by Robert and Richard Sherman

Kong76 Nov 08 2012 09:46 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Headline in local Gannett rag: END OF AN ERROR

Chad Ochoseis Nov 08 2012 10:26 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I shrug at this move. We're still paying him; doesn't make much difference if it's done today or spread out over years. Edgy DC wrote: There's also --- and this is quite speculative --- maybe a cautionary tale about entering the market with one foot. Omar set his sights from the beginning on the second-best slugging outfielder that offseason, perhaps hoping there'd be a less aggressive market for him and the Mets could get 85% of the production at 70% of the financial commitment. The Holliday/Bay Case (and wouldn't we all like to visit Holliday Bay?) might be cited in suggesting to a future GM that if you're going to be a bear, be a great big bad-ass bear. Maybe one with wings and gills to breathe under water. I'm fine with the idea of paying 70% less for a player who gives you 85% of the production of the best player at a given position, and I wouldn't say that the Bay contract proves that to be an impossible dream. The problem was that Bay gave us 0% of the production of Holliday.

Edgy MD Nov 08 2012 10:31 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Clearly what Minaya hoped for and what the Mets got diverge wildly, which is why one may glean a cautionary tale.

Ceetar Nov 08 2012 12:26 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Edgy DC wrote: Clearly what Minaya hoped for and what the Mets got diverge wildly, which is why one may glean a cautionary tale. I'm sure he was also aware that he needed to keep his head above water too, and that wasn't going to happen with a "wait and see" evaluation point of lesser Mets guys, like Pagan, and that they needed an influx of power. He also probably expected it to equate to closer to 10% of payroll than 20.

Ashie62 Nov 08 2012 12:40 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Seemingly nice fellow with ever declining bat speed.

seawolf17 Nov 08 2012 12:57 PM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I remember that time he grounded out to short.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 13 2012 11:43 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Jon Heyman wrote: Jason Bay may have gotten a better deal for himself by leaving the Mets than he did when he initially signed with them. Not only will Bay be paid the entire $21 million he is owed by the Mets, as has been reported, but the $15 million that is being deferred under the terms of the severance agreement is to be paid by the end of 2015, meaning the deferred monies will be paid only over an additional two years, CBSSports.com has learned. Neither side would comment on the deferred payments, but sources familiar with the deal say the short deferral -- the deferred monies are to be paid in five installments -- means the present-day value of the contract is worth only about $850,000 less than the full $21 million. Had the team simply cut him, they would have had to pay him all the money by the end of 2013. The Mets and the outfielder made the surprise agreement to part ways with a year to go on his $66-million, four-year deal. Originally, the Mets had said Bay would be coming to spring training. Mets people will only say publicly that it's a positive arrangement for both sides. The new deal does give the Mets some immediate financial relief. However, the deal seems especially sweet for Bay, who may make up the $850,000 or so he loses in the deferred payments in decreased tax payments away from New York, depending where he winds up signing. But the even bigger financial plus for Bay is that the Mets agreed to waive the usual offset provision, whereby the team would have been reimbursed the amount Bay signed for elsewhere. So if Bay can make a deal for more than $850,000 elsewhere, he's automatically going to come out ahead of the game.

Edgy MD Nov 14 2012 06:37 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I'm replaying the 2012 season in OotP Baseball and damned if I haven't weaponized this guy again. He was hitting about the same as his real-world sapsorrow .175 about five weeks into the season. I'd been starting him only against lefties and after we rub against a run of righthanded pitchers, he has the cheek to come into my office and say that he expects to be starting regularly. The gall! The audacity! The chutzpah! I raise an arched eyebrow, or arch a raised eyebrow, and have my finger on the button to release the player then and there. I long to tell him that he was the whitest of white elephants, that he has no reason to expect anything but tittering derision. But I keep my head and realizede I was short on righthanded options. Pascucci was hurt, slumping and unhappy in Buffalo, and the waiver wire and trading block aren't showing me any happy alternatives. So I throw him a bone, started working him in against righties, and the sucker finds his stroke. We're in game fifty and he just hit his seventh homer. He's at .240 / .310 / .490 // .801 and if I can get that out of him for the season, I'll be thrilled. Then I realize again that it's all fake. And in reality, he's gone, without any hint of a revitalization, and taken my team's money with him.

seawolf17 Nov 14 2012 07:46 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

I love OOTP. Edgardo Alfonzo homered three times on Opening Day 1999 for me a few weeks ago; just started the 2000 season 0-4 before beating Philly twice. Saw that Bobby Witt was on the waiver wire toward the end of the 1999 season; gave him a look but passed when I saw his recent stats: 1992 TEX 8-15, 5.10 1993 PIT 10-13, 4.35 1994 MIL 0-20, 8.85 1995 ATL 10-13, 6.13 1996 COL 3-19, 8.51 1997 PIT 5-18, 6.57 1998 PIT 3-13, 6.51 1999 PIT 3-17, 7.85 That's a tough stretch.

Edgy MD Nov 14 2012 07:49 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

1994 MIL 0-20, 8.85 1995 ATL 10-13, 6.13 That's no small amount of redemption with Atlanta, though.

The Second Spitter Dec 31 2012 07:36 AM Re: Memories of Jason Bay

Let the record reflect: Bonilla '99: 49 OPS+ Bay '12: 47 OPS+