Now A Platoon Player, Mets' Bay Admits He's 'Not Always The Best Option'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — For at least one at-bat, Jason Bay was able to halt the jeers at Citi Field. A few fans stood when he singled — it was hard to tell whether they were rooting for the man, or merely mocking him.
His opportunities to hit more might diminish in a hurry.
Bay wound up scoring a run Tuesday night for the Mets in a 4-2 loss to Miami that stretched their home losing streak to a month.
Bay was in a 2-for-41 rut when he got his rare hit. Beset by injuries since signing a $66 million, four-year deal with the Mets before the 2010 season, the three-time All-Star is hitting just .157 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 134 at-bats.
Mets manager Terry Collins indicated before the game that Bay's stay as the full-time left fielder was coming to an end.
"We're going to make some, certainly depending on who is on the mound, some adjustments out there," he said. "We've got to get our left-handed bats in the lineup. Those guys have given us some good opportunities to win some games and they're having some pretty good years. I want to make sure they get out there. It will depend on matchups who we want in left field."
Collins said he would talk to Bay about "how to proceed forth."
"I'm trying to be a realist with all that's happened," Bay said. "I'm not always the best option."
"This didn't blindside me. I've had some time to digest this," he added. "I don't want to be a distraction."
With other outfielders in the mix, Bay said he realized his position.
"If I had a leg to stand on" it would different, he said. "I can't say anything."
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