The Daily News has more about the Mets’ pursuit of Jason Bay today. John Harper:
Though all of New York seems to be waiting impatiently for the Mets to make a big move this offseason, they are negotiating at a deliberate pace with Jason Bay.
Let’s edit that:
Though all of New York me and my colleagues at the Daily News seems to be are waiting impatiently for the Mets to make a big move this offseason provide us with easy fodder to write about, they are negotiating at a deliberate pace with Jason Bay.
Done.
The impatient Met fan, this year, appears to be a bit of a straw man. I thought he was out there a few weeks ago when I wrote this post, then I spoke to him again here.
But check out the comments section on Matt’s measured, reasonable post about the Mets’ offseason so far at MetsBlog. Nearly everyone agrees with him. And if you want a good barometer for the going sentiments among Mets fans, there’s no better place to check than the MetsBlog comments section.
Anyway, what’s more important is the rest of the Daily News article. It basically says that the Mets don’t know that there’s another bidder out there for Bay, so are resisting the urge to extend their offer to five years and are trying to feel out the market for the right-handed slugger.
That’s good. Heck, that’s great. If that’s true, that’s the best thing I’ve heard about any of the Mets’ offseason processes in a long time.
I’m still not sure Bay is the absolute best fit for the Mets, but I know he’s a terrific hitter who managed to mash AL East pitching for the last couple of years and tends to pull the ball, which appears to make him well-suited for Citi Field.
I don’t know if the Mets think Bay is a better fit than Matt Holliday or just feel he’s a better value play, nor do I know how they came to whichever conclusion they made.
Either way, their patience is probably a good thing. Provided Bay is willing to play in New York and interested in making the most money, I doubt his agent allows him to sign elsewhere without giving the big-market team with the hole in left field and a clear need for a strong right-handed bat ample opportunity to beat the deal.
Luckily, Mets fans seem willing to wait it out.
Tedquarters 
Yea the patience game when there’s only one perceived bidder really works out, as we saw with Derek Lowe last year. And that follow up Oliver Perez contract really made it worth it, don’t you think?
For what it’s worth, in 2009, Derek Lowe’s ERA+ dropped from 129 to 88, his walk rate spiked and his K rate and groundball percentage dropped. He could bounce back in 2010, but red flags abound.
It’s hard to kill the Mets for not wanting to spend four years and $60 million on Lowe, especially in hindsight. I’d say he’s a good candidate to bounce back, but I don’t think that contract looks like something the Mets should have jumped all over. Not at all.
Perez is an example of what happens when they’re not patient. That was a reactive move, like you suggested.
Not to mention the Braves are now trying to trade Lowe and eat some of that salary.
And you know what, in hindsight I am still not sure I would want a Wolf for 3 yrs at 30 or a younger Perez at 3 yrs at 36.
I dunno if Metsblog is all that much a barometer of how the fans feel. Ever since they put in that new moderator system, there’s been far far fewer posts. Heck I’ve been trying for weeks to get “approved” and have had no luck!
yes ive been trying to get approved myself with no luck,its sad im a met fan with good views and a strong opinion,and cant join the convasation there,ive sent emails to them with no reply that is so un profesinal,i know i spelled that wrong,,,i can see a day or 2 but come on weeks???? why??? wish someone could get through to matt or whoever handles that stuff and let others in on the convasation,
i thing is good for us the mets, the waiting game, but im not a big fan of waiting…if it work out im all for it…
I think the mets should try to sighn Marquis for a qulity starter for their rotation, they should sign molina, and they should sign bay. they should also go after gurrero of the angles.
I agree on the patience and ditto on the Metsblog website which I enjoy reading but I have visiting it for the past 5 years and was getting my posts on and now with the approval from moderation has been like Chinese water torture, one drip, another post going to moderation, at a time. I am very dissapointed in whomever Matt has doing this cause I like to interact with other posters but if I am in moderation then why bother to post if others will not respond and there is no back and forth. I am still waiting for an answer.