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February 24, 2013 12-13 Offseason Joe Janish

Jason Bay Finds His Stroke

Jason Bay might yet earn that fat paycheck.

If he does, it won’t be while wearing a Mets uniform, of course.

Bay homered and walked twice in his first spring training game with the Mariners, prompting a MLB.com homepage headline of:

Jason Bay Feels He’s Re-found His Stroke

From the article:

Asked if he’d shortened his swing, Bay said he’s just finally regained the feeling he had at the plate earlier in his career before his struggles began.

“I don’t think I’ve shortened it. I’ve kind of re-found it,” Bay said. “I struggled for a while and it was more of trying to find something. I tried a million things, just trying to save face, and nothing was working. I got so far away from doing what I’d done before that I forgot how to do it.

“So, the last part of last year and all offseason and the week I’ve been here, it’s trying to get my rhythm back to what I’ve always done. So what may appear a little bit different from the last couple years is probably what it looked like three, four years ago. It’s kind of engraining that again.”

Or maybe it’s just something about that dry air in Arizona.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Andrew February 24, 2013 at 12:12 pm
    I don’t buy it. Everybody walks into one once in a while, even Bay. Maybe he’ll do better than with the Mets – he could hardly be worse – but I don’t see any renaissance from this guy. Good, let him drive Mariners fans crazy striking out in every big situation. The Mets will be better this year simply by not having him getting AB’s in those situations.
  2. Joe Gomes February 24, 2013 at 1:51 pm
    Actually all that happened was that he took off the Mets uniform.
  3. Dan B February 24, 2013 at 1:52 pm
    Hey, Bay isn’t making much. The Mets could use a veteran outfielder with power. Do you think the Mets could work out a trade?
  4. NormE February 24, 2013 at 2:41 pm
    I know we (Mets fans) are all down on Jason Bay, but let’s give him his due. He always hustled, ran the bases well, gave up his body to catch the ball (remember the great play in LA) and never seemed to act like a prima donna. Of course, he never hit and that’s what he got the big bucks to do.
    But the money was not his fault—Omar was eager to sign him and give him Bernie Madoff’s millions.
    I, personally, wish him well.
    • argonbunnies February 24, 2013 at 10:43 pm
      Agreed 100%. I’m rooting for the guy.
    • jeff March 13, 2013 at 10:42 am
      i think that bay is better for now w seattle mariners and i agree he did make spec saves. I am a big mets fan but they have to get a game changer.. and really soon if they can idk i hate to say the yanks but… if they can get something for a great outfielder. Its worth it swallow ur pride and just get a few of their guys. It will be a serious surprise but i am not a gm but a gem like Robertson for pitching and a few guys would help tremendous so forget about all the bs and the hate for the yanks and just become a grew team..
  5. AC Wayne February 24, 2013 at 4:11 pm
    For me, I just look at the flip side…Bay feels he’s regained his stroke and is probably better off with Seattle which would only make sense that the Mets will be better off w/o him
  6. ben c February 24, 2013 at 4:45 pm
    Not just dry air in Arizona – sounds like a lot of hot air to me.
    • Walnutz15 February 25, 2013 at 8:54 am
      LOL – agreed.

      Just like Josh Thole was going to “hit for power” a few years ago, due to the jetstream winds at PSL.

  7. DaveSchneck February 24, 2013 at 4:59 pm
    Joe,
    Let’s put these practice games in persprctive. Tejada took Strasburg deep yesterday. How often will that happen in a real game? We’ll see how Bay fared in Sept., but it’s pretty safe to deduct it wasn’t going to happen in a Met jersey, so it is what it is.
    • Joe Janish February 24, 2013 at 10:56 pm
      Agreed, but it’s fun to ruffle feathers of Flushing fans.
      • DaveSchneck February 25, 2013 at 9:38 am
        True.
  8. derek February 25, 2013 at 11:47 am
    .245 with 13 hrs this yr for him
  9. Joe February 25, 2013 at 6:32 pm
    Meanwhile, S Strasburg gave up two runs, ultimately leading to the team to lose to the lowly Mets … the Nats are doomed.

    Next up: Pelfrey, subject of a NYT article today:

    “Pelfrey’s Fast Recovery Excites Twins.”

  10. awad March 13, 2013 at 10:12 pm
    Bay is a nice man. I wish him well but boy did he stink up the joint in Flushing. Some guys cannot take playing in NY. Have to be a touch hombre to play here.