Continuing to Look at the Opening Day Roster

JASON BAY - OF
2011 stats - .245 BA, 12 HR, 57 RBI, 59 R

Today I look at potentially the biggest bust in Mets history, Jason Bay.  After the 2009 season, Bay signed a 4 year, $66 million deal and has largely failed to earn any of that money.  A concussion limited him to only 95 games in 2010 and other minor injuries and unproductive stats led to 123 games last season.

Bay is one of two hitters in the middle of the Mets lineup (David Wright being the other) that needs to rebound to a somewhat normal season in order for there to be a glimmer of hope in 2012.  Upper management has done their part to help out with the problem by readjusting the outfield walls in Citi Field.  The dreaded wall in left field has been reduced to 8 ft and the deep alley in right center has been brought in from 415 ft.  All of this is being done to help with the psychological nightmare that many believe Bay is living.  With a more neutral hitting park, the Mets are banking on Bay to finish somewhere between 18-21 HRs and 70-85 RBI.

There are a few factors, outside of the moved in walls, that can also help Bay this season.  He should hopefully have a full season's worth of protection around him with Ike Davis being healthy, a full season of Lucas Duda, and an improved David Wright.

No one is looking for Bay to be savior of the offense, a person who will carry the team on his back for games at a time.  The Mets just do not need Bay to be an every now and then singles hitter.  Some pop will be needed from his bat.  It's hard to have high expectations from everything we've seen the past two seasons.  This may be his final chance though to prove he will not be the largest bust in Mets history.