So far in the 2011 season Jason Bay has been a shell of his former self. Many people are wondering why that is. It seems people are stumped that someone once so good can be this bad. I have a theory about his struggles. I believe that Bay is still suffering some of the after effects from his concussion suffered last year.

So Jason Bay finally decides to sign with the Mets for a deal that is 4 years and averages around 16 mil/season. And I ain't mad about it. I'm one of those who actually preferred getting Bay over Matt Holliday because he would be the cheaper option and while he hits for a lower average; everything else is about the same. Some of the positives I take from this move:

1) The OF is now set with him, Beltran and Francoeur. Last year in Boston, Bay did have a perfect fielding percentage and recorded 15 assists. Now yes, Citi is a much bigger LF than Fenway is, but this will certainly be an improvement over the adventures of Daniel Murphy or Angel Pagan out there defensively.

2) He's a legit clean-up guy that we can insert right in-between Beltran & Wright. Placing back Wright at his natural #5 slot will allow him to do what he does best, and that's to drive runs as opposed to feeling forced to get everything all at once. Bay doesn't hit for the best average (career .280) but adding someone who can get you 25-30 HR, 100-105 RBI and a career .376 OBP is what the doctor ordered.

3) I know this is simply an intangible, but Bay thrived under the pressure for playing for a big-market team for a year plus out in Boston...so that should be no problem for him.

4) While this isn't solely about Bay...to those who talk about players who are afraid to play 81 home games at Citifield remember the only reason why we were last in HRs last year is BECAUSE OF THE TEAM WE WERE FORCED TO FIELD. Did it affect the Phillies, Marlins, Braves, etc? No. How about Mark Reynolds, who decided to have a personal home run derby here? No.

The best part about this is that all the pressure is gonna be on the Phillies now to deliver as being the heavy favorites to not only win the division, but the NL as a whole. The Mets if they remain healthy this year, get Pelfrey & Ollie's heads right and continue our strong bullpen pitching from last year can keep up easily. Not making too many changes in the roster this year might actually be a positive, as there is a better chance to build team chemistry which has been lacking the past few years. Now we need a 1B (I'm with the LaRoche idea 100%) and we should be fine. Read More...

According to Mike Francessa's "major news", pending a physical Jason Bay has agreed to a 4 year deal worth 66 million with the Mets.

Jon Heyman has also confirmed that a deal has been reached.

Joel Sherman is reporting the deal has a 5th year vesting option.

I've said since day 1 that Holliday is the better player, but Bay is the better deal. Holliday will likely sign a much longer contract for more money per season (probably more than 5 years at more than 100 million). Considering out commitments to Santana (who is still owed 98.5 million over 4 years or 118 million over 5 years if we pick up the 2014 option), plus Wright and Reyes have more money coming their way. Its hard to believe the Mets could really afford to give Holliday such a high cost/long term contract. Plus I think Jason Bay is a guy who can be a leader for this team, which is obviously something that has been missing the last few years. Read More...

There has been a lot of talk about the Mets telling Jason Bay and Bengie Molina to "take it or leave it" on their offers, or more scarily, some fans are calling for the Mets to put a time limit on the offers... This my fellow Mets fans is a bad bad idea.

Last Year, the Nationals made an offer to Adam Dunn at this point in the season, most analysts and Dunn himself scoffed at the idea of going to the Nationals. Mr Dunn kept fishing for a bigger better contract however when the market dried up, the Nats who never rescinded their offer or played hardball with Mr Dunn, wound up with him at their asking price. Many people do not believe there is another team bidding on Jason Bay and Bengie Molina, however we are not in the position to be issuing ultimatums, maybe there really is another bidder. The smart thing to do is to leave our offer out there and not say "take it or leave it" to anyone. If the Mets are the only bidders sooner or later they will sign. Read More...

The last few days I cant help but think the Mets are getting played by Jason Bay's agent. We heard last week that there was some "mysterious team" that had offered Bay a 5 year deal. If this were true, why hasn't he accepted their offer yet? Not only that at this point it seems like the Mets are the only team left standing in the Jason Bay sweepstakes. The Rex Sox signed Cameron, the Angels picked up Matsui, the Mariners traded for Bradley, The White Sox picked up Pierre, the Yanks got Granderson, the Cards are working hard on Matt Holliday. Who else is even bidding on Bay right now?

The Mets made Bay a 4 year 65 million dollar deal 9 days ago, and nobody has topped our offer. Its time for Omar to call Bay's bluff. Omar should call Bay and his agent tomorrow and say that our offer is good through the weekend, after that he can go find his 5 year deal elsewhere. Read More...

Just recently I found that Phil Rodgers of the Chicago Tribune had delivered his list of predicting where the upper crust of Free Agents will sign.(From the look of some of his guesses there are certain cacti growing in Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood) Well...it is time for mine as well.



Matt Holliday- Mets

Not a player I am 100% enthralled with, but certainly the premier talent in the 2010 FA Pool. I think the Mets actually do break down and go out and get Mr. Holliday, who signs for a Massive contract.

Jason Bay- Boston

Mr. Bay, despite turning down a rather nice extension, is headed back to Boston. After some quick looks at Matt Holliday and Johnny Damon, the Sox break down and pay the piper to the tune of 5 years 85 Million.

John Lackey- Texas Rangers

There is some talk that the Rangers' ownership problems will keep Lackey out of Arlington, I on the other hand think its a no brainer guarantee that the only team willing to take a massive pay gamble on a older declining pitcher like Lackey has to have stars in their eyes, and when you compete with the Cowboys for attention...that's all a lot of folks in the big D see.

Johnny Damon- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Despite desperately wanting to stay with the Yankees, Damon turns to the only solid offer he gets this off-season, despite still being very productive, and it is off to Disneyland for Mr. Damon. The Angels, desperate to fill the void of Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey, get their name and a pretty productive outfielder.

Aroldis Chapman- New York Yankees

Do overpriced, overrated, under seasoned, overseas free agents go anywhere but Boston or the Yanks? El Duque Jr. Cashes the big check, pin stripe fans get 2 years of an underdeveloped Phil Hughes clone, before shipping him off and watching him prosper elsewhere.

Miguel Tejada- San Francisco Giants

It's off to the Bay Area for Mr. Tejada, He'll be productive and fit right into the free swinging, walk averse Baby Giants.

Chone Figgins- St Louis Cardinals

A team that has been looking for a true lead-off man and a second baseman since their small dose of a productive Tony Womack, finally gets some killer speed, and a real second baseman, in their lineup.

Rich Harden- Washington Nationals

Every once in a while a baseball team comes along and does something stupid in free agency, Pittsburgh with Derek Bell, Colorado with Hampton and Neagle, Texas and Chan Ho Park, and most recently Seattle and Carlos Silva. This is the Nationals chance to vastly overpay. The Nats, despite their horrid on field product, actually have a good chunk of money to spend, they'll look to claim that they are players in the market again this season (after last years attempt at Teixiera and their signing of Adam Dunn) they'll throw massive amount of cash to try and get some talent on their staff.

Mark DeRosa-Philadelphia Phillies

With the Pedro Feliz project over and done, the Phillies will actually make a smart move this offseason and grab a Pennsylvania favorite to man their hot corner

Hideki Matsui- Chicago White Sox

The Sox need a DH and Matsui is probably still one of the best available. He'll get a few years, the Sox somehow know how to keep elderly power hitters productive and moderately healthy.

Jermaine Dye- Minnesota Twins

First stealing JJ Hardy from the Brewers, now signing one of their biggest rivals team leaders? What an off season for the Twins. Jermaine Dye provides some extra pop from the DH spot that, lets face it, Jason Kubel can't keep doing forever (Kubel just cannot hit LHP to save his life...sooner or later that is going to end him)

Vladimir Guerrero- Oakland A's

Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas, Mike Sweeney, finally Vlad completes the Oakland A's position of Designated Washed up All-Star... i mean Hitter...yeah designated Hitter...

Jim Thome- Atlanta Braves

This sounds ridiculous, heck in many ways it probably is, but with the Rachel Zoe thin 1b representation in this year's class, and LaRoche hopefully leaving to head to New York, Atlanta needs to plug this hole. They give Thome a shot at a bargain price.

Well, that's my round up to match Mr. Rodgers feel free to post your own in the comment section
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