Since leaving the Red Sox, Jason Bay has failed to duplicate his All-Star feats.
After three disappointing seasons in New York, Bay and the Mets announced they had agreed on a buyout that would terminate the outfielder’s contract two years early and grant him free agency.
“Jason has a tremendous work ethic,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. “There was never any question about it. Unfortunately, the results weren’t there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason for his efforts and wish him well.”
Bay’s tenure with the Mets was ruined by injuries and a sudden power outage at the plate. In three seasons with the club, the 34-year-old hit 26 home runs and drove in 124 runs while batting .234.
That’s a far cry from his career season with Boston in 2009, when he unloaded 36 home runs and 119 RBIs while hitting .267. After that season, Bay was in high demand and wound up inking a four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets.
“I’m excited to keep playing and have no intention of just walking away,” Bay said. “I enjoyed my time in New York. I have no regrets in signing with the Mets, other than that I wasn’t able to play to the level that the team, the fans and I all expected and that we weren’t able to win more games. I move on with nothing but an appreciation for the organization and its fans and best wishes to all my teammates there.”
Considering the Red Sox have a vacancy in left field, the possibility of a reunion isn’t out of the question. WEEI.com reports that Bay would be interested in returning to Boston if the franchise wants him.
