Jason Bay Staying Put in New York

It seems that any team willing to trade for Jason Bay expects the Mets to eat a portion of Bay’s remaining

contract.  However, the Mets are not willing to do so.  According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York, the Mets will not be moving Bay anytime soon.

Bay has been moved to a platoon role in the outfield, is no longer the everyday starter, and has struggled this season.  He is hitting .157/.248/.284.  It’s by far the worst year of his career.  Bay is a lifetime .271/.365/.487 hitter.

The Mets are due to pay Bay $16 million next season.  He also has a $17 million option that automatically kicks in if he reaches 600 plate appearances in 2013 or 500 plate appearances in 2012 and 500 plea appearances in 2013.  The move to a platoon role likely kills any chance of the vesting option kicking in.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson acknowledged that eating a contract is something teams have to do at times, but the Mets would not be doing it inBay’s case.

"“Certainly, there are times when it is appropriate to eat a contract,” Alderson told ESPN New York “There are other times when it is not. Jason Bay is not going anywhere, nor is his contract.”"

Bay has played in just 41 games this season.  He has battled injuries and declining power.  Bay was Rookie of the Year in 2004 and is a three-time All-Star.