Mets Sign Jason Bay

Written by Benny B. | 29 December 2009

According to Mike Francessa & WFAN, as long as Bay passes his physical, the NY Mets will announce "early next week" the signing of Left Fielder Jason Bay.

No details were released about the terms of the agreement, but it is believed to be a four year deal at around 16.5MM per.

Well, I guess I am happy.  He will immediately help a lineup that is power anemic.  He hit .267, 36 HRs & 100+ RBIs & Runs in 2009.  His average dipped from his .280 career mark, but he OPS was .921.

The biggest concern that has been written about ad nausea is his defense and his age.  He will be 32 next year, and his defense is not getting any better (especially in Citifield).  However, as long as this deal is only for 4 years, I am not too worried about that.  Beltran is one of the best (if not THE best) CF in the game, and will be able to help out Bay.  Francoeur in RF is top 10 defensively as well.   So the Mets should have a solid Defensive outfield.

As far as his age is concerned, he is at the tail end of his prime, but I do not expect to see a HUGE drop off in his production as long as he remains healthy.  I would expect at least two more 30+ HR seasons from Bay before we start seeing a small decline.  I expect his average to remain in the .275 area and continue driving in runs at a 100+ clip.

I guess I had already prepped myself into thinking the Mets have moved on from Bay.  I was hoping for a stop-gap signing like Gomes on a one year deal so they can pursue Carl Crawford and a much stronger free agent class next year.  Oh well.

So the Mets appear to be on their way to making their "splash", something which they shouldn't do just for the sake of making a splash.  But I believe this signing does not fall into that category.  Bay is a legit Power hitter and if the Mets can pick him up for 4 years (when other clubs are dishing out 2 year deals for backup catchers) I would think it qualifies as a solid signing.

So cross LF off the list!  You can also cross off the Bulpen (though I would like to see them sign another lefty) with the Escobar & Ryota deals.  Now we need a solid #3 starting Pitcher, a Catcher & hopefully O-dog for 2B.  I am in Mike's camp in that they should sign Hudson regardless if they can rid themselves of Castillo or not....although a move like that seems unlikely with the signing of Bay.

Let the debate begin...GO METS!

UPDATE:

John Heyman confirms the Mets & Bay have reached a deal.