On Jason Bay’s Comments About Seattle

by ~ June 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Fox Sports’ John Paul Morosi:

So, I asked him the simplest question that came to mind: At some point, would he have interest in playing for the Mariners?

“Being from the West Coast, family-wise, I think Seattle would probably be at the top of that list,” came his response. “I can’t say enough good things about it. I love it there.”

*snip*

So, before the Red Sox played Wednesday at Comerica Park, I asked Bay a variation of the same question I posed four years ago.

What about Seattle?

“I live 15 minutes from the ballpark,” Bay said, smiling. “I’ve got a lot of family over that way, friends from Gonzaga. I would say, as far as the list of possible destinations, that would probably be on there.”

I don’t think the Mariners will make a big effort to sign Jason Bay this upcoming offseason nor do I think they should. 

Safeco Field

Offensively, we know what happens to the majority of right handed power hitters at Safeco Field.  The list of very successful right handed power hitters is short: a behemoth, a couple of juicers and a Hall of Fame candidate.  I can’t think of any reason to believe Bay would keep hitting at Safeco.

Defensively, left field at Safeco is huge and needs to be manned by a fringe center fielder.  Bay doesn’t have great range and possesses a poor throwing arm.  He’s been a defensive liability for most of his career.

Money

Given the big numbers Bay is putting up at righty friendly Fenway Park and the added publicity he’s getting by playing in Boston, Bay figures to get a huge paycheck as he reaches free agency for the first time.  He’ll almost certainly get payed more than he’s worth, especially if he were to play his home games in a stadium that deflates his value (such as Safeco).

Depth

Michael Saunders has been on fire this year and is arguably Seattle’s number one prospect at this point.  He’ll get a callup this season– possibly sooner than later– and is a great fit for Safeco offensively and defensively.  He may not perform initially, but he deserves a prolonged shot as Seattle desperately needs to develop some left handed hitters.  Bay would also get in the way of Dustin Ackley a year or two down the road should he be selected by Seattle in the upcoming draft.

«
»

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Dustin Shires

    Can’t say I’d mind having him, but, with Michael Saunders up and coming, it seems pointless. use that money elsewhere.

  • Brandon

    His defense can’t be as bad as Balentien’s…anybody else see that pitiful extra-inning defense?

  • GarForever

    Jon –

    Great post, and thanks for making the argument so I wouldn’t have to. Anyone who thinks Bay’s numbers would in any way translate from Fenway (or even PNC Park, for that matter) to Safeco is dreaming.

  • ajolson85

    when ever i hear talk about bay coming here i think sexson and beltre. big right handed bats who havent earned all there money. although i do think bay would be better here then them. as much as i crave a big bat for this pathetic offense i only see bay putting up numbers like .275-25-90. pretty much like beltre but i bet he wouldnt slump as much as beltre. so if he is looking for 60+ million i would stay away. i wouldnt hate the signing though we cant just have all lefties in our lineup. yeah and we dont want him getting in the way of saunders.

    hey if were in contention do we trade for another bat obviously a lefty? if so who? would we have any interest bringing in laroche, huff, blalock, or ankiel?

  • http://www.seatownsports.net seatownsports

    Thanks for making us aware of Bay’s interest in Seattle. Who would’ve known? Frankly, I think he’ll be way too expensive and overpaid if he becomes a Mariner.

  • SABR Matt

    I’m going to fall out of my chair laughing with Saunders hits about .180 with no power in his first crack at the show. It amazes me how certain people are that he’s worth our attention in the same breath as a player like Jason Bay.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    No one said anything along the lines of Saunders > Bay.

  • thejza82

    I agree with Jon that a player of Bay’s caliber would not be within the M’s price-range. Bay could draw easy comparisons to Olerud, he is a very gifted hitter. If the Mariners did somehow manage to extend an offer, given Bay’s apparent fondness for Seattle it could be an amazing fit.

    Think of a lineup with Bay and Ackley in the heart and Ichiro leading off…you smell that blowing in on the winds of change, the scent of victory my friends!

  • SABR Matt

    I didn’t claim anyone was saying Saunders > Bay…but I certainly DO hear people saying they’d rather not even BOTHER to offer money to a good free agent when they could just as easily get something out of Saunders…talking about him like he’s anything close to a sure bet to succeed in the show.

  • GarForever

    SABR Matt –

    You’re absolutely right, that Saunders has yet to prove anything, which is why this season so far has been both refreshing (nice to see the team still in apparent contention), but maddening (the pipe dream that this team could make the playoffs seems to be delaying making certain evaluative decisions). As Dave Cameron has said over at USSM, Chavez and Balentien aren’t providing much of an obstacle, so I would like to see the M’s give Saunders an extended look this year. Then we’ll have a better idea of whether we have a good LH bat in-house or should take a chance on a RH bat who, with all respect to a previous poster, is NOT the second coming of John Olerud as a hitter. I am not convinced that Bay’s game would transfer well to a place like Safeco, which has swallowed the talents of more powerful righties than Bay.

    PS — Should we start using a shorthand for our two-headed monster in LF? Wlandy? Chavenstein? Just asking?