Jason Bay is done. I’m going to say that he should probably just retire at this point because he’s not helping anyone by playing baseball. He’s hurting himself and the organization that pays him. Retire, go to Canada and drink some maple syrup. The Mets might be better off with Hairston/Valdespin, Nieuwenhuis and Duda in the outfield anyway.
BUT…
- What if Davis begins to slump again?
- What if Hairston continues to be incapable of hitting righties?
- Can we rely on a kid who’s never really played the outfield much?
- What if Nieuwenhuis gets self-conscious about being called “Too Big” for centerfield?
- What then?
Well… what about bringing the media apocalypse of the Manny Ramirez experience to Flushing?
Now… before the villagers get their torches and pitch-forks to start scouring New Jersey looking for me, let me try and make a rational argument for why this might not be the worst idea you’ve read today. Better yet, some Pros and Cons.
Pros:
- Manny Ramirez is a proven MLB hitter
- His career OPS is .995
- 12 Time All Star
- 9 Time Silver Slugger
- Has 555 career HRs
Cons:
- He’s 40 years old
- He can’t field
- He has a negative impact on the clubhouse
- He could negatively affect youngsters
- He hasn’t played in a long while
So let us say the Mets invite Manny Ramirez to join Valentino Pascucci and Matt Den Dekker in AAA. He takes a few (2-3 weeks) starts down there and then the Mets bring him up. Well… this does a couple things:
- Creates Media Buzz (Increases Revenue)
- Gives Mets Power Righty Bat (Not named Scott Hairston)
- Gives Terry Collins Migraine Headaches
So here’s the final question:
Who Would Be The Best Option For The Mets In Left Field?
Poll:
- Manny Ramirez
- Jordany Valdespin
- Scott Hairston
- Jason Bay
- Mike Baxter
- (Write In)
Continue to platoon Hairston with Torres and Nieuwenhuis until Baxter returns to the party, then he can join the rotation too.
All of this is moot if Sandy trades for a LF.
Oh, and in no way should Manny ever be allowed to wear a Mets jersey in 2012. The guy is a cancer, especially for a gutsy team with a lot of kids. He’s also old and may not be the same hitter he once was.
Was trying to be tongue and cheek about it. Was out in Lancaster all weekend without internets… time to dive into the hate mail.
Manny would add experience and a big bat to the MET lineup. A 1yr deal for not a great deal of money could make him a bargain.
Probably no other hitter benefitted from taking steroids (except Sammy Sosa who was a 20 home run a year player before taking steroids). Manny without the steroids is only half the player he was with the steroids so you can ignore the career numbers. [note: I have no objection to the players taking steroids personally, but the rules as they are do not allow it]
Cheap, yes.
Bargain… maybe…
I am using Jack Bauer GPS triangulation to find you, don’t answer your door.
Poll answer: Platoon Valdespin/Hairston and ask again when Baxter or Bay get activated.
lol, hence my vacation was wisely timed. I don’t ACTUALLY think it would be a good idea. Just trying to pose interesting things to think about.
Yeah, the Mets signing Manny is a really, really bad idea. Some combination of Valdespin/Hairston/Baxter works just fine until Bay comes back (if he comes back), and maybe even afterwards.
Agreed
Never. Pass.
Dozens of baseball decisions have been made with “media buzz” as the determining factor which is exactly the reason we are where we are. A team that has made the post season 3 times in the last 23 years despite the National Leagues largest payroll and only at that when one of our divisional rivals holds a fire sale.
Short circuiting the process right now for the near certainty of a media circus led by yet another under performing former All-Star showing everyone how it’s not done is the last thing that should be on any one’s mind.
Why don’t we just sign Bonds instead? He’s a seven time MVP, 762 homers, career OPS over 1.000, and I guarantee he’d have much more media attention than Manny. Torres can’t hit and the bullpen stinks, so let’s sign Ken Griffey Jr to play CF and Clemens should be the closer.
Bonds is a lefty?
We have lefties.
lol, smile people.
Not for any reason at all.
What if he promised to pay the rest of Bay’s contract?
ok. you win…as long as he can cover Bonilla’s too!