Jason Bay: Will Latest Concussion Force New York Mets Outfielder to Retire?

Nothing has gone right for Jason Bay since signing a contract with the New York Mets and his latest injury could push him to the brink of retirement.

In 2009, Bay hit .267/.384/.537 with 36 home runs and 119 RBI for the Boston Red Sox. He was an All-Star, won the Silver Slugger and finished seventh in the American League MVP voting that season.

That offseason, Bay signed a four-year, $66 million deal with the New York Mets that has him under contract through the 2013 season. Unfortunately, Bay’s injuries have made that contract look like an utter joke for the Mets organization and fans.

Through the first two seasons of his contract, he only played in 208 games and hit 18 home runs. He hit under .260 and had an OPS of under .750 in each of those years. Last season he missed 63 games with a concussion.

He had already missed 40 games this season recovering from a rib fracture. After returning, he was hitting .187/.253/.373 with four home runs, six RBI and 10 runs through 22 games.

His worst nightmare happened last night against the Cincinnati Reds: another concussion. On a ball hit to deep left field by Reds slugger Jay Bruce, Bay chased the ball all the way to the wall. He laid out for the ball but ended up missing it and banging his head in the process.

Bay struggled to get to his feet to corral the ball while Bruce trotted around all of the bases for an inside-the-park home run. The trainer would come out to check on Bay and he would then leave the game with a possible concussion.

Just a little while ago, the Mets placed Bay on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion, according to ESPN.

It’s been a frustrating season for Bay and you have to wonder whether he’ll retire after this latest concussion. I asked CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler what he thought about the situation.

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@DKnobler do you think that Bay will retire after sustaining another concussion?

— Benjamin Klein (@bkredsox04) June 16, 2012

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@bkredsox04 Too early to say, but you have to wonder that.

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) June 16, 2012

 

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I personally think this is the end for the 33-year-old outfielder. His career has been on a downward spiral since joining the Mets and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. His contract will expire in a few years and I can’t foresee any team taking a chance on him.

His glory days from Pittsburgh are well past him and some would say that he’s yesterday’s news.

That failed catch in left field last night might be the last time that we see Jason Bay.