Jason Bay close to deal with Mariners

The Mariners are close to a deal with free-agent outfielder Jason Bay, according to the Seattle Times.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Dec 4, 2012 at 5:29 pm ET • 1 min read

Jason Bay is headed to Seattle. (US Presswire)

If Citi Field was to blame for all of Jason Bay's troubles in New York, he made an odd decision for his comeback. He is close to a deal with the Mariners according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times (via Twitter).

Last month, the Mets released Bay, buying out his contract for $21 million. In three years with the Mets, Bay hit .234/.318/.369 with 26 home runs -- with just 11 of those coming at Citi Field. Last season, Bay hit .165/.237/.299 with eight home runs in 70 games -- and .150/.225/.238 with two homers at home.

The good news is Bay does have a home run among his six career games at Safeco Field, hardly known as a hitter's park. That said, the fences are getting moved in for 2013, not that the new dimensions in New York aided Bay.

Baker notes the deal is likely a big-league contract. At the very least, he can fill Chone Figgins' spot on the bench.

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