Former Mets outfielder Jason Bay — the man fans in Flushing loved to boo — is likely to retire, according to a report.
The 35-year-old Bay told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca he has an offer to continue his baseball career in Japan and he was intrigued by it, but feels that he wants to spend more time with his family, as he has three children.
Bay was signed to a four-year, $66 million contract before the 2010 season by Mets general manager Omar Minaya, and his time in New York did not go as planned.
Having spent the previous year-plus in hitter-friendly Fenway Park, Bay struggled to adjust to spacious Citi Field.
He hit just .259 with six homers and 47 RBIs during his first season with the Mets, which ended prematurely following a concussion he suffered when he ran into a wall making a catch at Dodger Stadium in late July.
Bay hit only .245 in 2011, having started the season on the disabled list with a rib injury. He then suffered another rib injury early in 2012, sidelining him for 42 games. He struggled to a .165 batting average that season, and after the season, the Mets and Bay agreed on a buyout, making him a free agent.
Bay hit .204 in 68 games with Seattle last season.