The Baywatch is set to begin at Citi Field.
Free agent Canadian slugger Jason Bay and the New York Mets have reached a preliminary agreement, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Bay must pass a physical for the deal to be completed. The three-time all-star is expected to sign a four-year contract for about US$66 million.
Bay of Trail, B.C., set career highs with 36 home runs and 119 RBIs last season for Boston. The 31-year-old outfielder is a lifetime .280 hitter and has averaged 30 homers and 99 RBIs in his six full seasons in the majors.
Bay fills a huge hole in left field for the Mets, who skidded to a 70-92 mark during an injury-plagued year. They especially needed a bopper after hitting a major league-low 95 homers in the first season at their spacious, new ballpark.
The deal was first reported by WFAN.