Mets Diamond Notes: 2013 All-Star Logo Unveiled, Jason Bay Not Going Anywhere

Although the logo was leaked last week, the Mets held an official press conference yesterday afternoon to unveil the logo for the 2013 All-Star game, which will be held at Citi Field. Being able to get the midsummer classic back to Flushing is a big deal because it’s the first time the game is in New York since the Old Yankee Stadium played host in the venue’s last year of existence back in 2008, and it’s the first time the Mets earned the honor since Shea Stadium’s first year, way back in 1964.

The Mets used part of their logo, mainly with the skyline in the background, as the basis of the what the symbol for next year’s game will look like. It has a bit of a retro feel to it, but I like it. To see what it looks like, take a gander right here, or take a peek below. This news did dominate the event at Citi, but in talking with reporters after, Sandy Alderson found his focus shift from the All-Star game to his overpaid and struggling left fielder, Jason Bay.

Yesterday evening, MLB Trade Rumors reported that Alderson told the media that the organization isn’t planning on eating Bay’s contract, and

he’s not going anywhere. Actually, this is what he said:

"“Certainly, there are times when it is appropriate to eat a contract, there are other times when it is not. Jason  Bay is not going anywhere, nor is his contract.“"

It’s hard for me to believe that someone like Alderson, who likes to get the biggest bang for his buck, and someone who dropped ineffective pieces like Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo like a bad habit last year in Spring Training, would hold onto someone as ineffective as Bay (.154/.248/.285 before Tuesday’s game against the Marlins). However, Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog makes a great point: what else is Alderson going to say? Do you really think he’ll expect Bay to keep plugging away after he hears they’re planning on cutting him? This is typical GM speak; he’s covering his behind for right now and will do whatever is best for the team when the time comes. No owner wants to eat $16 million with no return, but at this point, Bay hasn’t given any return.

Meanwhile, MetsBlog reported that Terry Collins said his extreme usage of Tim Byrdak through the first two-thirds of the season probably led to his torn anterior capsule. Collins went on to mention he would have liked to have had a second left-hander in the bullpen from the start of the season, but none of their internal options proved worthy out of Spring Training. Byrdak, at the age of 39, is at a crossroads in his career. He’s finally found comfortable role in the Major Leagues after struggling for most of his professional life, but he’s facing a daunting rehab program that took both Johan Santana and Chris Young over a year to recover from. So, by the time he’s healthy enough to pitch, he could be 41-years-old due to the timing of the injury. A tough decision, to say the least. To give Josh Edgin some help in the ‘pen, New York called up Garrett Olson, and made room for him by transferring Dillon Gee to the 60-day DL, and optioning Elvin Ramirez back to Triple-A Buffalo.

After his three-inning rehab start with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Adam Rubin reported that Johan Santana feels good and is still on track to get activated off the disabled list to start against the Braves on Saturday at Citi Field. Santana struggled in the three starts following his ankle injury, going 0-3 with a 13.51 ERA. On the season, the Mets ace is 6-7 with a 3.98 ERA as he looks to get back on track and finish the season as strong as he started it. Maybe another no-hitter? That’d be cool.