This Christmas morning millions of children will jump out of bed and run to open their presents. Some presents will exceed their expectations while others will be tossed to the side with half-hearted ‘thank you’ attached. We all remember those presents; a pack of socks or underwear or, even worse, a fruitcake.
What if we, as Mets fans, were those kids? What would the worst presents be that the Santa Mets have placed under the tree? While the team has made many bad trades or signings throughout their long history, it is Christmas so we’ll look at those bad free agents they signed in Decembers passed.
Jason Bay– Jason Bay came to Queens, as a prized free agent, on December 29, 2009 with much fanfare after the Mets pretty much outbid themselves for his services. They agreed to a deal that was potentially worth five years and $80M.
With numbers like that, he was expected to do great things. Those expectations haunted his tenure, however. He was signed off the strength of a 39 home run, all-star season in Boston the year before. His entire three years, he hit a combined 26 home runs and 124 RBI.
He suffered multiple injuries but, when on the field, he was always hustling and playing hard. Despite that, his lack of power created a relentless criticism that was a constant distraction. With not playing up to his contract and facing everyday scrutiny, Bay bowed out of NY gracefully after the 2012 season.
Tom Glavine– Tom Glavine was originally brought in on December 5, 2002. He was meant to be the strong veteran that would push the team over the top and finally beat Atlanta. They paid him roughly $50M for the next five years. While his time in Atlanta was superb, his numbers with the Mets were average at best and certainly not worth what they were paying.
He posted a 61-56 record with a 3.97 ERA while pitching in Queens. What he will be remembered most for, however, will be how he performed in big games for the Mets. Rather, how he didn’t perform in big games for the Mets.
In September 30, 2007, the Mets sent Glavine to the mound with a playoff spot on the line against the Marlins. He gave up seven runs in the first inning to help complete a massive season collapse. Mets fans still cringe at the thought of it.
Bobby Bonilla– He was part of the “Worst Team Money Could Buy” era. He arrived on December 2, 1991 and was signed to a five year, $29M deal. It was thought to be massive at the time, but it turned out to handcuff the team much more so and for much longer. Bonilla spent his 1991 season healthy and belting a career high 44 doubles with a .302 AVG and 100 RBI in Pittsburgh.
It was with these type of numbers that fans and the team, alike, held high promise for the 1992 season. After all, they acquired Bonilla, Eddie Murray and Brett Saberhagen to go along with big names like Dwight Gooden, Vince Coleman, Todd Hundley and Howard Johnson. A lot was expected of this team. They ended with a 72-90 record.
Worse, in his part of five seasons with the team, he played 515 games, hit 95 home runs and had 295 RBI. That’s a rough average of about 103 games, 19 home runs and 60 RBI. Not quite worth the massive deal he was given.
Even worse, he was traded away and the team had to pay the remainder of his contract. Rather than paying one chunk, the Mets deferred payment until 2011 and, including interest, are paying him back $1,193,248.20 every year for the next 25 years. So until 2036, Bobby Bo will be on the team payroll for what the team could be paying one of their young players.
In the end, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. For Bonilla, that is.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Mets fans.
Regarding the Bonilla buyout: LOL Mets, can you blame Keith Law?
In hindsight, bringing Glavine is like bringing a 36 year old David Ortiz to the Yankees and expecting him to care. We all knew Glavine never liked the Mets, just came here for the money. That’s why I’m glad they didn’t get Jimmy Rollins.
The Bay deal was karma for not going for Holliday. Like always, they go for the cheap fix and get less than what they are paying for. Everyone knew Bay was a product of Fenway Park, but Wilpon and Minaya.
I still think Glavine was a solid signing for the Mets. I know that one start was awful, but to base his whole tenure with the Mets on that start is something I don’t agree with. His first year was not a good one, but after that, he put up good numbers considering how old he was. He had a great 2006 season, and led us to the playoffs, and pitched well in the playoffs.
Bay and Bonilla were both really bad signings, and I still have no idea what happened to Bay when he came here. I thought he was going to help us compete in the playoffs, but that signing arguably set us back a couple of years.
I agree that Glavine was not that bad, but he left a lingering distaste. Meanwhile Bonilla still hurts to this day. One of the worst financial decisions ever made in or out of baseball.