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I would’ve used a picture of him hitting, but I couldn’t find any.
Last week, Jason Bay became a free agent when he and the New York Mets agreed to end his contract early. His lackluster production over the last 3 seasons has left many wondering if he’ll be approached by any teams, and if he’ll be able to reach his previous level where he was hitting 30 bombs a year.
As a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, my first reaction is, “Sign him to a $1.5 million contract and give him a chance.” Sadly, after giving it some thought, it’s clear that he is just another disease that is waiting to infect its next victim. Why do I say that you ask? (You shouldn’t be asking that because… well, he’s Jason Bay). But if you are asking anyway, I’ll tell you.
Doesn’t this sound familiar? A former Pirate is a free agent. He had some of the best seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. He hasn’t produced much since he’s been gone. Maybe we need to give him another chance, bring him home where he can relax and become a fan-favorite again? I hope the name Nate McLouth just popped into your head.
Nate McLouth is one of the biggest reasons not to bring back Bay. Differently than McLouth, Jason Bay is not a one-hit-wonder; However the Pirates made the mistake of signing McLouth last season. In a whopping 34 games, McLouth had 57 at-bat’s. His average, you ask? .140. Unacceptable. With another year of free-swinging, shoe-hopping, strikeout-filled seasons with Clint Barmes in the lineup, you can’t take a chance on Bay. McLouth had 0 home runs and 2 RBI while whiffing 18 times in those 57 AB’s. He went on to have better stats with the Baltimore Orioles, but nothing that should’ve been cracking the lineup if it weren’t for injuries.
Let’s take a look at Bay’s stats while he was in New York:
In 3 injury-riddled seasons, Bay produced a head-shaking, face-palming 24 home runs. This coming from a guy who hit 67 home runs in the 2 seasons prior to playing for the Mets? It didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Bay was heading into the latter half of his prime and he fell flat on his face. Blame the injuries, but if he’s getting hurt all the time, why bother? Blame the length of the left field wall at Citi Field, but David Wright can hit home runs there, why can’t Bay?
Give all of the excuses you’d like, he’s now 34 years old and he is completely unpredictable as well as injury-prone. There is no need for the Pirates to waste the little money that they’re willing to spend on Bay, especially when they need to be making other changes that are way more important than giving a washed-up old man a second chance.
To my favorite player of all-time, Jason Bay:
I love ya, but the truth hurts. I wish you all the best, but I don’t want you coming around my young team that is ready to make a push for the playoffs, you bring no value at this point.
Should’ve stayed in Boston, sincerely:
Danny Shirey (@_DSHY)
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