David Wright has been our guy since he was called up. He is our superstar, our face of the franchise. Yes, he might drive us crazy sometimes with the strikeouts or the errant throws from third, but he is still David Wright.
It hurt last off-season when I got the news that Jose Reyes was gone. I knew it was inevitable, and yet when I found out it was still sad. I have gotten so attached to the homegrown Mets, especially Wright and Reyes. The front office let one go and I refuse to let the Mets ship away the other one. I don’t care that Wright hasn’t been the player he was in his early years, I want him to be a Met for the duration of his career.
I was in favor of the Mets moving Beltran, and it worked out for them, getting a young pitching prospect in return. However I draw the line with Wright. I see a positive future with the way the team is being built and Wright is in the middle of that future I picture.
The Mets have recently called up many young players who have had and hopefully will continue to have success. Many of the recent successful call-ups have been hitters. There is another wave of young Mets predominantly pitchers who seem to have a bright future almost ready to join the big club. So with all these young players and theoretically a lot of salary room (assuming the Wilpons will take out the wallet) there is lot of hope for the team, as early as next year.
At 29 years old, I think Wright still has a lot more good baseball in him. If I were the Mets I would try to lock him up for five or six years right now. His last three seasons have been very up and down, but they have all shown at some point why he is and should continue to be the face of the team.
If the Mets only do one move this season, I hope it will be a commitment to a player who has a commitment to them for many years. I’m confident Wright will return to the great player everyone knows he is this season. Lets hope that the Mets will do the right thing and sign him now when he still wants to be in NY. I don’t want the Mets to be frozen out once again when one of our guys hits free agency, like what happened to Reyes last winter.
23 comments
kingman 26
3/27/2012-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Wright is nothing close to a superstar, and has not been since 2008.
He was good to very good in 2010, and pretty mediocre–across the board–last year.
Perhaps it is Citi Field, perhaps it is injuries, but the numbers show–quite clearly–that Wright’s BA and OBP have never come close to returning to what they were from 2005 right until the Cain beaning in 2009.
Signing him now for 5-6 years would be simply utterly irresponsible, and a Minaya move all the way.
Wright must show he can be the player he was from 2005-mid 2009 before the team even considers re-signing him long-term.
Newavemets11
3/27/2012-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
You make a lot of good arguments Wright has certainly struggled but like you said wright had a very good season in 2010. His season was the same as his top years except his average was 30 points lower than in his peak years. There is a strong argument to wait and make Wright prove himself but if he does, there is a good chance the mets would be unable to sign him.
MetsFan4Decades
3/27/2012-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Would not surprise me if they pick up his option end of this year, then try trading him in the off season. Depends on what the offerings are.
kingman 26
3/27/2012-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks. But his 2010 was different than his best years a little more than you are saying–his OBP was 30–60 points lower than 2005–2008, his BA was 20–40 points lower than 2005–2008, and he struck out 40% more than he did from 2005–2008. Those are HUGE differences.
I love Wright and I loved Reyes; followed them both from their days in the minors. But Jose’s deal was a massive risk for the Marlins and I also understand letting him go.
My biggest hope is that Wright is ready to return to being the 2005–2008 Wright and that he does in fact want to be here and maybe even gives a hometown discount.
But I also think that he may never be that player again due to the beaning.
We shall see, and I hope like hell I am wrong!
And welcome aboard!
TRS86
3/27/2012-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
I think it was more than just the beaning but we shall see.
Now in regards to waiting for him to prove he is back, I agree but when you do that you run the risk of what happen with Jose. I agreed after 2010 you couldn’t extend Reyes until he proved he could play healthy and smart baseball. They waited and then couldn’t sign him. That could happen with Wright as well.
MetsFan4Decades
3/27/2012-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Always that risk for sure.
If they are thinking about extending him, I suppose mid season would be the time to start those talks, right?
kingman 26
3/27/2012-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, but their injuries were different.
And again, Wright was hitting like .320 with a .410 OBP or something when beaned and has never come close to returning to that. Yes, the power returned in 2010, but the overall game has continued to decline.
And yes, I am a saber-goon and a clod.
Stick
3/27/2012-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
be fair to yourself.
I never thought you were a saber-goon.
kingman 26
3/27/2012-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
HAHA!
I get it.
Stick
3/27/2012-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Good . I was afraid I went too subtle.
TLJNYM
3/27/2012-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
I think the 2009-2010 version of Wright is still pretty valuable. Not the elite level player he used to be, but still a good player worth keeping IMO. It depends what kind of money he is looking for, you can’t pay him like he’s the 2007 version if he’s not playing like that…but I don’t think he necessarily has to get back to being a top 5-10 player in MLB to be worth re-signing. I think the fact that Wright used to be so much better makes what he’s been doing the last few years seem worse than it actually is.
Six years sounds like a lot though..and I wouldn’t do it right now, given the year and the injuries he’s coming off of. He really didn’t look good last year even after he returned from the injury (save for the first few weeks) and obviously this ST he’s been hurt, so I’d want to make sure that he’s not permanently going to be what he was in 2011. But if he looks healthy and plays well (even if its not “superstar-elite level” well) I think they should consider signing him to an extension either at somepoint this season or the offseason.
NJstuckinTX
3/27/2012-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
I want for us, as Mets fans, to have our Cal Ripkin. Our Lifer on the team who showed class and excellence at all times. Unfortunately (and I hope I’m wrong), I think he’s going to be better suited in helping to usher in the next era for this team, by bringing prospects to this team.
MetsFan4Decades
3/27/2012-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Moving KRod to dump salary and trading Beltran to get back Wheeler were much needed and very good moves. Beltran wasn’t re-signing in NY, nor did we have the money for that.
I wanted Reyes re-signed but what’s done is done. I’m moving on.
I’m currently torn here regarding Wright. Not to quite our GM, but I’d like to get a look at him for at least the first half of the season. I believe he’ll be here all season unless some desperate GM out there offers us another top prospect for him at the trade deadline. He’ll only be a 2-3 month rental at that point.
I like Wright and would like to see him stay. But he’s got to put up some solid numbers this year to be worth the kind of contract I’m sure he’s looking for. Especially with this club who is in the process of rebuilding, even if they don’t want to admit it.
MetsFan4Decades
3/27/2012-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
*not to quote
Stick
3/27/2012-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
I am with Knog here. Wright is not a superstar by any means at this point. And I really get the willies thinking about how well he is going to hold up into his mid 30s.
I am fine with letting him play out this year, picking up the option, then decide what to do. Trade, extension, play out the deal in 2013 can all be on the table.
Now, if he comes in offering to take a 3 year addition at reasonable money? That I roll the dice on. But not adding another 5 on top of what he has at major money.
I am not very sentimental, and everone leaves eventually. So there is always a new favorite to replace the old one (not that DW was ever really my favorite) like, say, DUUUUUUUDDDDDDDAAAAAAA!
let Wright go, and use the money to lock up guys like duda and davis? That could be a plan to build around (if DW brings back some needed talent).
TRS86
3/27/2012-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
I have no problem with letting Wright go. I just think the danger is in thinking lets keep him them lock him up if he does well.
Reese
3/27/2012-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets have some options for 3B — moving Murphy there and inserting Valdespin at 2B, perennial .300 hitting Josh Satin or the ever-injured duo of Havens and Lutz. While there would be significant drop off from the Wright of 2008 and earlier, from what we’ve seen since then I don’t necessarily think Valdespin would be a HUGE drop off. A good 1st half by Wright showing he’s healthy and productive should net a lot more than Zack Wheeler. He makes less money than Beltran, is younger and plays a more difficult position (easier to find outfielders).
TRS86
3/27/2012-2:50pm at 2:50 pm (UTC -4)
Not so sure that Valdespin could even match an injured Wright. His OBP appears to translate to about .299 in the bigs right now.
Ceetar
3/27/2012-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
no one’s giving MORE than Wheeler as a 2 month rental for Wright, and the Mets aren’t trading Wright.
TLJNYM
3/27/2012-3:06pm at 3:06 pm (UTC -4)
Ehh none of that is really too exciting. If Wright has a good year, I’d rather keep him.
gategem
3/27/2012-5:57pm at 5:57 pm (UTC -4)
I just wanted to welcome all the new authors to this blog. As the elder statesman of the internet sports world that is deep into his senile and/or Alzheimer years I wish to say….oh wait I forgot.
The Mets find themselves in a similar catch22 position as they were with Reyes. You don’t want to pigeon hole yourself by offering a lucrative long term contract until you are assured the player is worth it and can contribute for the length of the contract. Once they prove their worthiness Wilpon’s Mets can no longer afford them.
Hopefully Wright returns to his glory days and the Mets can trade him for a blue chip prospect. After all this is a rebuilding franchise.
Newavemets11
3/27/2012-6:39pm at 6:39 pm (UTC -4)
I understand the sentiment to trade assets for young players, there is no doubt the Mets are a “rebuilding” team. However at some point you have to keep some veterans to guide the way for all of the young talent and I guess I have more faith in Wright, than I do for what the money allocated for him could get the Mets in the free agent market.
trs86
3/27/2012-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
Good point.