Jason Bay Fails His Test

Before this 11-game West coast road trip, Terry Collins reportedly told Jason Bay that he would be in the lineup for most of the games, but if he continued to struggle he could lose playing time once the team got back home. Well, the Mets are back home and Bay had a miserable trip.

Bay went two-for-31 on the trip with 10 strikeouts. His overall average plunged from .182 to .154. He has five home runs and 11 RBIs in 130 at bats over 40 games. Bay has also struck out 40 times. These are not good numbers.

Collins needs to make good on his promise and bench Bay, even if it is only against right handed pitching. Bay cannot continue to be in the lineup every day, especially when players like Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin are far more deserving of at bats.

If this turns out to be the case, then the Mets should go just ahead and make that deal for Heath Bell and John Buck if it is still available. They might as well salvage something from the Bay investment.

That is not likely to happen, but at the very least the Mets should release Bay at the end of the season and eat the rest of his contract if he doesn’t turn things around. It is time to admit failure and move on.