Jason Bay

Once again, it's been a little while since my last post, but the holidays have taken a toll on my time. Since then, my favorite team (the New York Mets) has signed OF Jason Bay to a four-year $66 million deal. Am I a fan of this signing? Not really. Will I still write a blog about it? Hell yes.
Well, it's official. Almost. Jason Bay still has to pass a physical and get a clear bill of health about his troublesome shoulder. Assuming that he passes though, he'll be joining the Mets this spring, patrolling left field. But where will he fit into the lineup, or in the dugout? Where will he fit into the clubs' dynamic?
There is talk that Bay will be the number five hitter, or maybe even number three. Wouldn't batting cleanup would be ideal for Mr. Bay? Over the length of his career Bay has been a very productive RBI man, and last year in particular he was second in AL RBIs. He can definitely hit for power, and even though the complaints about Citi Field keep pouring in, he'll get his home runs as well. Since Carlos Beltran nor David Wright are true cleanup hitters, they should be placed around Bay to secure his power potential.
Now let's assume that Reyes and Beltran will return to form in 2010. That means a return to lead-off for Reyes and most likely Luis Castillo accompanying him in the two hole. That puts either Wright or Beltran in the three spot. Beltran does have power, but it's somewhat inconsistent. Wright is more of an average guy, and he's starting to pull more every year, so unless his power numbers return to 2008 status or better, a decreasing average isn't going to help him become a steady number three hitter. But I still think last year's numbers for David were a result of mental pressure and having no hitting support around him, so I think Wright will make the better three hole hitter. Meaning that Beltran then hits fifth, providing on-base protection for Bay.
So Jason will play left field and hit cleanup, potentially. What will he do in the dugout? This is slightly more problematic. Bay has certainly never been called a team cancer, but he has never been a team leader either, according to various reports. Which means he'll probably go to the ballpark, collect his stats and fade into the background, like everyone else on the team. That is my major complaint about this signing, and pretty much everything Omar Minaya does as general manager of the Mets. He doesn't sign guys with passion. Paul Lo Duca was the last person on the team with any palpable intensity that permeated throughout the clubhouse. Delgado, Wright, Beltran, they are all great players, but not one is an outspoken leader. The only guy on the team now with any fire is Reyes, and everyone keeps saying how he needs to tone it down because too many crybaby opponents get their feelings hurt when he celebrates. I'm sorry, but I thought that was the point of winning, to celebrate it. Bay may fit in the clubhouse, he may even be a fantastic statistical signing for the team. But what the Mets really need, is a leader. Until they get that, from either a power bat or much needed pitching help, they'll do nothing but float in the middle of the pack.