For New York Mets fans, whether you are Republican or Democratic, Wednesday afternoon was a day to rejoice as the team parted ways with their left fielder, Jason Bay, after a mutual agreement.
Bay is now a free agent, but the market will probably not be going crazy over this guy.
What seemed a great acquisition despite the load of money handed over, Bay was never able to produce the numbers he had as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and his brief stint with the Boston Red Sox.
The 2005 Rookie of the Year winner began his MLB career on the correct path. That first full season in the majors he hit 26 home runs and drove in 82 runs.
That season alone matches the 26 homers he gave the Mets while spending three years with the club.
Known for being a hard-nose player, Bay was never the same following a play at the wall in Los Angeles while chasing a fly ball and banging into the fence.
He went on to only play 95 games that season hitting .259 with six homers and 47 RBI. The following season, he played 123 games, hit 12 homers and drove in 57 RBI while hitting .245.
He finally wrapped up the penultimate year of his contract with 70 games a .165 batting average eight homers and 20 RBI.
This was not the production the Mets invisioned from a guy they were paying $18 million in 2011. All in all, the Mets and Bay had agreed to a contract four-year deal worth a reported $66 million with a $17 million fifth-year option, which obviously will never occur.
Mets fans, hold your horses, despite the release of the player, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Mets will pay Bay his full salary of 2013, plus the 2014 buyout. Heyman also added that he will get a bonus of some sort, though last time I checked you get bonuses after great performances.
How much money is Bay leaving with in total despite not playing a single inning for the Mets in 2013? He will get $21 million.
