Mets terminate Jason Bay's contract

[pwaldo]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/stor...rminated-early

The unhappy alliance between outfielder Jason Bay and the Mets has come to an end.

The Mets announced in a statement that they have reached an agreement with Bay to terminate his contract two years early, granting him unconditional free agency.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

"I still feel I have plenty to give to this game and that I can play baseball at a high level. But after serious consideration, both sides agree that we would benefit from a fresh start," Bay said in a team-issued statement. "I'm grateful we were able to reach an agreement to allow that to happen."

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, in attendance at the GM meetings, was not immediately available for comment. In the team's statement, he said: "Jason has a tremendous work ethic. There was never any question about it. Unfortunately, the results weren't there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason for his efforts and wish him well."

Bay signed a four-year, $66 million contract in January 2010 that was negotiated by Omar Minaya, Alderson's predecessor, but Bay's time as a Met was marred by injuries and a mystifying inability to hit for power after four seasons of having hit at least 30 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox.

In his three years as a Met, Bay hit a total of 26 home runs and drove in 124 runs. A career .269 hitter, he batted just .234 as a Met.

[Devlin]

Says that he would be open to returning to Red Sox. Why would they want to do that? (red sox)

[metsmagic18]

Thank the lord bay is gone!!!!!!!!!!!

[scollins]

Good risk for a low budget team - minor league contract with invite to camp. If healthy he should at least be decent.