Author’s Note: This is further exploration of a theme which was previously explored by TRS86 on The Real Dirty Mets Blog, based on an idea from long-time TRDMB outstanding contributor Wanny.
David Wright for Juston Upton and a prospect or two.
The DBacks to appear to have a promising young 3B in Ryan Wheeler who, while tearing up AAA in his 93 games there, was underwhelming in his first taste of the majors. Perhaps they use Wright at 3B in 2013 while Wheeler matures in AAA? Maybe they decide to keep Wright long-term and move Wheeler, who has played several other positions? Or maybe they trade Wright at the deadline for prospects?
The Mets would get younger and faster, dramatically improve their outfield, and also compensate for the power lost by losing Wright. Upton has indeed been inconsistent, but his 2009 and 20011 seasons were quite good, and he is just 25.
He is signed for the next 3 years at a total of about $38.5 million. Which means that the Mets would be taking on a much smaller commitment financially than re-signing Wright would entail, and would have this player from basically age 25-28.
This move would also give the increasingly impressive Wilmer Flores the chance to develop into the third baseman of the future.
The more this writer thinks about this, the more sense it makes.
If Arizona likes this idea, both for the level of player it gives them for Upton as well as the incredible flexibility it would afford in terms of whether they keep Wright or trade him, maybe a prospect or two could even be pried loose as well.
David Wright is an all-time great Met. From 2005—2008 he was among the league’s best players. But aside from the first half of 2012, he has not been quite the same the last four years. He will be 30 soon, and while every signing must be judged on its own merits, the Omar Minaya era did show the huge risks inherent in signing players over age 30 to long-term deals, especially when their most recent years have not been their best.
Upton has definitely had an up and down career, but has put up inarguably excellent numbers by age 24. Might his best years be ahead of him? It certainly is far more possible that his are than that Wright’s are.
Financially, if the team is indeed sincere about re-signing Wright, that means that taking on Upton’s contract is most definitely workable. As it is for just three years, and at an annual rate well below what Wright will surely command, this would suggest that signing Dickey for three years would be easier to manage.
It also would show the fan base—and the players—that the team is serious about making changes, getting younger, and taking risks in the hope of getting better. It would add a dynamic young player to the team when a player like this is most sorely needed. The starting pitching can be excellent in 2013 and beyond, especially if Dickey is re-signed, and making this move would seemingly make that easier to accomplish. And it would add power and speed to an outfield that sorely needs it.
This makes a lot of sense.
What do you think?
88 comments
Stick
10/21/2012-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
sure, why not? I’m on record as saying they should trade wright, though I was leaning more toward a couple of young, just about to graduate to the ML at positions of need.
Upton though is a much different way to go, but at least it is talent. What the hell he is going to do in the next couple of years in a pitchers park is anybody’s guess though.
the real key, can they add another positional foundation piece when they trade Dickey too?
Tommy2cat
10/21/2012-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
It’s a legitimate question, but I don’t think the Mets should trade David Wright for Justin Upton. Wright is a cornerstone player and his value to the team on the field, which is substantial, is only one aspect of his overall value to the franchise.
Upton is a very good fit for our team. i would trade Ide Davis, Wilmer Flores & Mejia for him, and that’s a transaction the D-Backs might consider.
If it’s my team, David Wright isn’t going anywhere until he’s inducted into the Hall of Fame as a New York Met.
kingman 26
10/21/2012-8:16pm at 8:16 pm (UTC -4)
Wright is four years removed from his last great season, and he is not remotely close to being a Hall of Famer.
It is this kind of denial which enables the Wilpons to operate the way they do.
Get something for Wright before giving him a Minaya-style joke contract.
Wright is not remotely a “cornerstone” player.
nym
10/21/2012-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
He was pretty great this year. 7.8 WAR, 143 OPS+.
I’d say the way the “Wilpons operate” at least lately ,would be more consistent with your line of thinking…….they’d probably love “he’s not good enough” as another excuse to let another player go
kingman 26
10/22/2012-8:00am at 8:00 am (UTC -4)
He was great for half the season and utterly mediocre for half the season. He–like almost everyone else on recent Met teams–disappeared in the second half.
Has nothing to do with not being good enough. Has everything to do with the idea of giving a 30-year-old player clearly past his prime a huge deal which will hamstring an already financially strapped team in future years.
SaltyGary
10/22/2012-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
I would say his second half is due to pitchers being able to pitch around him because the rest of the lineup is crap. He’s been a great Met and had a great rebound this year but you are probably right that he needs to go.
I’ve been so on the fence with this because from a fan perspective it would be really nice to have him retire as a Met. The issue is they will be unable to build around him in enough time for that contract to make sense. Wright needs players around him for him to succeed he is not designed to lead so if they cant have players around him within 2 years to make a run it’s probably not worth it.
So as long as it’s Justin and not his lazy brother replacing Wrights production I would say go for it.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-9:30am at 9:30 am (UTC -4)
Yeah Gary but the problem with that thesis is that his walks went down in the second half. If he had as great of a season as some (falsely) believe, and if he was being pitched around that much, he would not have walked 50 times and struck out 47 in 82 games in the first hald and followed that with a second half where he walked 31 times and struck out 65 times in 74 games.
He was awful in the second half, and his numbers in the second half were almost precisely what they were in 2011.
These are facts, not anti-Wright diatribes.
A massive deal for him now will be economic suicide.
But will keep the masses buying Wright jerseys and cheering in September when he is hitting very little.
That is basically what happened in 2011 and 2012.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
And he did NOT have a great “year”–he had a great HALF of a year.
Three great months and three very mediocre months do not make a great year.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Knog, not every player reacts the same when they are not being given anything to work with.
some guys (Bonds say) will just take 3 walks a game and not worry about it.
Others in some way try to make something happen that is not there to take (some form of trying to carry the team, do too much, etc.). IOW, they start chasing the bad balls figuring they have to get a hit or the runs won’t happen.
Was this what happened with Wright? maybe, but we can’t really tell. He did seem to revert back to the big swing, but again, was that pressing trying to generate HRs to carry the team?
kingman 26
10/22/2012-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Agreed 100% Stick. And a beautiful illustration of what I am trying to convey.
Bonds was a HOF/franchise/cornerstone.
Wright is not.
Q-Rod
10/21/2012-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
It’s a great deal for Arizona in the event they really want to trade Upton. If Wright works out and they are contending then its a winner. But if they are out of the playoff hunt then they can flip Wright at the deadline for about what they’d get right now for Upton, all the while buying time for Wheeler.
It wouldn’t be well received by Met fans, who will look at it as mostly a salary dump. There would be crazy pressure on Upton to perform. Tricky.
Rustyjr
10/21/2012-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Let’s not & say we didn’t
Reese
10/21/2012-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not sure AZ would do that now that they have moved Chris Young. Their formerly crowded outfield is now down to three — Parra, Upton and Eaton. Trading for Wright would create a hole for them out there.
However, if it could be done, I’m sure Upton could provide the 20/93 Wright did. The question is what happens at 3B NOW? Do you move Murphy there and insert Valdespin at 2B? If so, you’re banking on JV improving in a big hurry. Do Lutz or Satin even have a shot? Probably not. Ditto Reese Havens. Do you push Flores to advance without a day in AAA?
Those questions aside, I think it’s a relatively smart deal as you have kept the costs down during a period where the extra $8 million you save on Upton in 2013 could be put to addressing other needs and you have some flexibility going forward. I am in the trade Wright for 2-3 near-can’t-miss prospects, too, but this trade would also help as Upton’s bat (save for AVG) is pretty much even or better.
Stick
10/21/2012-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
it is a team game. Upton may not exactly replace Wright, but the combo of upton + the new 3B will likely more than replace wright + the crap that RF put up last year.
for 3B, I would think the plan would be to use some ST options (lutz, someone they pick up for a year) to give Flores some time to finish developing.
If you think Zona needs another OF, expand the deal. Include Duda or some such with the Mets getting a prospect back
nym
10/21/2012-8:30pm at 8:30 pm (UTC -4)
I disagree with that. I think its generally easier to find a decent OFer than it is to find a decent 3b. I’d rather something like Wright/Hairston. Than Upton/Turner (or Valdy in at 2b with Murph at 3b).
Stick
10/21/2012-8:51pm at 8:51 pm (UTC -4)
reasonable position. But I am also looking at this for more than just next year, so if Upton is the option, it is really a 3 year horizon (and factor Flores into that!)
nym
10/21/2012-9:26pm at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I did mention Flores in my earlier post below. I’m still more of a “I’ll believe it when I see it” on Mets prospects.
And I am clinging to the idea of Flores as a 2b.
SaltyGary
10/22/2012-9:09am at 9:09 am (UTC -4)
“I’ll believe it when I see it” on Mets prospects.
Ain’t that the friggen truth.
TX
10/21/2012-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
AZ has a decent prospect on the way and now has 4 OFs on their roster. Upton, Parra, Kubel and Eaton. They have a 3B prospect on the way, but is not a sure thing, so flipping Wright for Upton does make sense for AZ.
Stick
10/21/2012-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
teams that want to win now (and they have a real shot next year) should make trades like this, if they have an excess at a position like the OF.
I am liking this deal idea more and more, so of course that means there is no chance in hell it happens.
srt
10/21/2012-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
This was going to be my question as well.
Trade Wright and how is the 3rd baseman come opening day?
If it’s Murphy, who plays 2nd?
If it’s Valdepspin – and I certainly hope not as I just don’t see him as an every day player right now, then we’ve made the team worse for 2013, even with Upton – or at least no better off then we were.
We’re upgrading a OF position but downgrading on an IF position.
Unless we’re truly punting for 2013, I don’t like it.
We should be adding to the talent, not just shuffling it around.
srt
10/21/2012-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll add a caveat to this though.
I think Wright for Upton straight up is selling low.
If we get a good prospect back along with Upton though – and that prospect is another OF, or hey….maybe even a catcher, then this trade proposal definitely has some merit.
Q-Rod
10/21/2012-8:19pm at 8:19 pm (UTC -4)
It’s only ‘selling low’ because Wright has just one year left on his deal. It’s essentially a rental.
TX
10/22/2012-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Is it selling low though? The money needed for Wright is not a small investment and it is still an not a given the team controlling him will retain him. That, and he’s 5 or so years older than Upton. I think that straight up is about the only way this trade would happen. You’d have to add some pieces to get a prospect back in the deal.
Stick
10/21/2012-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
they are in effect punting 2013. so don’t worry about that. Think 2014 instead.
srt
10/22/2012-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, this is my gut feeling as well.
If Wright/Dickey re-sign, no matter what the FO said – I think we’ll only see some minor moves. BP arms, possible CF. LF/RF will probably be filled from within.
darknova306
10/22/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
That would be worse than your standard Omarian disaster. At least with Omar the big albatross deal he would give out would bring talent in. In this case, the big albatross deal would just keep the roster’s status quo. Then we get to fill in the roster with the dregs – I mean top tier – of the minor league system.
Yeah… this is why I’m getting more and more on board with the idea of saying “please trade Wright, Sandy”.
Stick
10/21/2012-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
on an unrelated note, the NFL should investigate Eli for a game fixing scandal. He obvious is trying to give the game to Washington, he just is not that good about doing it subtly.
TX
10/21/2012-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
I can see a trade, Wright for Upton, straight up, but I would think they would want a window to negotiate a contract extension. I could not see them adding a prospect to that deal, unless Murph or another was added in. If memory serves, their 2B is Hill(?) and I can’t remember if he was a FA this or next. Regardless, Wright for Upton straight up seems to me what it would be.
End of the day, I’m a coin flip on it. I think Wright is a better hitter than Upton, but Upton’s youth, power and that he plays the OF are all pluses. Not sure who they would stopgap with at 3B. I can’t see just sliding Murph over there. Just keep him at 2B. Would most likely have to be an external answer to fill that hole, assuming that Flores is an answer at 3B.
Stick
10/21/2012-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
I would actually be more comfortable with Upton for 3/38.5, about to hit his peak output years, than Wright for another 7/130 (or so) when he has definitely passed his prime.
darknova306
10/21/2012-7:14pm at 7:14 pm (UTC -4)
I’m totally with you on that preference. Long term contracts like the one Wright will be getting bother me, especially for a player at Wright’s age and total lack of consistency since 08.
nym
10/21/2012-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
If the Mets can’t reach an agreement with Wright than I like the idea of trading him for Upton (or similar established player) more than going the prospect route…but if we are just talking about the trade in general, I don’t love it.
I’d like to have Upton, but just exchanging one bat for another does little to solve the problem. Upton is younger and cheaper (but not necessarily inexpensive). He’ll make 9.75 mil next yr ( which is good) but then jumps up to about 14.5 mil the following 2 years. Maybe about 3-5 mil less than DW will get…which might be something to work with…but I’m not convinced the Mets would necessarily put it to good use.
And for all the talk about Wright’s inconsistencies, Upton has been even moreso, He was great in 2011, but 2 of the last 3 yrs he put up an OPS+ worse than Wright has ever had. He also has pretty dramatic home/road splits…OPSing about 200 points higher in hitter friendly Chase Field than on the road (.937 vs . 731). Not that that is completely predictive of how he’d do if he switched teams (sometimes players just do better at home)…but its something to note
He is younger so there is the definite chance that he’s still developing and will turn into the player he has the potential to be. But at this point I’d rather keep the guy who has proven to be productive here…and despite the Mets issues with the OF of late, it generally is easier to find a good corner OFer than it is to find a good 3b. I think Wright + generic OFer, is more often than not going to be more productive than Upton + generic 3b. I know we have Flores in the minors, but him turning into a great 3b isn’t a given.
And perhaps most importantly, I don’t think AZ does this with Wright an impending FA
Trs86
10/21/2012-8:55pm at 8:55 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm where have I heard this idea before…
Trs86
10/21/2012-8:57pm at 8:57 pm (UTC -4)
http://realdirtymets.com/2012/09/24/so-i-already-traded-dickey-now-what/
Lol
wanny
10/22/2012-12:09am at 12:09 am (UTC -4)
the idea sounds vaguely familiar to me too…
kingman 26
10/22/2012-7:58am at 7:58 am (UTC -4)
Don’t remember seeing that.
Sorry.
Added a line to give you full credit.
TRS86
10/22/2012-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
LOL, don’t give me the credit. Give it to Wanny, he came up with it.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
OK, re-edited the re-edit!
Let me know if anyone else was in on this…
gategem
10/22/2012-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
A rumor exists somewhere in time (although my search comes up empty) that this was initially proposed by John J. McGraw and then resurrected by Branch Rickey.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
After serious research it appears that Abner Doubleday came upon the idea during a lull on a Civil War battlefield!
Trs86
10/21/2012-8:58pm at 8:58 pm (UTC -4)
Welcome to all of Kingman’s MB buddies!
Stickguy
10/22/2012-8:35am at 8:35 am (UTC -4)
well, interesting to see (I did not know last night) that the Giants are refusing to go away. A game 7 should be interesting. Hard for me to root for either team, but I will take the Giants just because they are not the Cards.
and root for the Tigers in the WS.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-8:57am at 8:57 am (UTC -4)
I have $50 on the Tigers to win the WS at 6-1 from my last trip to Las Vegas.
GO TIGERS!!
srt
10/22/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I’m with you, Kingman.
I don’t often root for the AL team but will be this year.
Much rather see the Tigers win the WS than either the Cards or Giants.
Good luck with that bet! Go Tigers!
SaltyGary
10/22/2012-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
Yea I am on the same boat. I want to root for Beltran but there is no way I can root for the Card’s ever. I normally always side with the NL team but I really enjoy watching Verlander, Cabrera and I’m a big fan of Fielder so I’m rooting for the Tigers as well.
Now that Kong has $50 riding on it, my affiliation is locked in.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
Thank you sir and GO TIGERS!!!
Joe Gomes
10/22/2012-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
The question should be “Is David Wright worth 20M per year for 8 years? I have to say that for me, the answer is no.
Sorry but 20 hrs, 90 rbi’s are not worth that kind of money but if the deal is for say, 5 years then I can see the Mets dishing out the 100M.
The best scenario would be for the Mets to have money to spend but if Mets fans think that come 2014 the Mets will automatically re-spend the 50M saved from the Santana and Bay’s contract then they have not been paying attention to what is happening. The Mets would probably spend 25M and say that they will keep the other 25M for other players and never use it.
Then as the author pointed out, the Mets have Flores up and coming without a position. Open up 3B for him and start building a new core because quite frankly, once they let Reyes go, the era of building around Wright and Reyes finished.
It makes more sense for the Mets to get 15 hrs, 70/80 rbi’s from Flores while making the league minimum than to pay Wright upward of 20M for 5 more hrs and 15/20 more rbi’s.
Another thing to consider is that if the Mets were to trade Wright for Upton for example, the production from Wright would be replaced by Upton while saving money which would unable the Mets to also bring back someone like Hairston to play a corner position.
If the Mets get the right prospects/players back, they should trade not only Wright but Dickey as well.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
in your scenario, entirely possible the overall production would go up, factoring in Upton + filler guy/flores vs. Wright + Torres/baxter/bay/whichever stiff OF Upton replaced.
not to mention a nice upgrade in OF D, which would be nice to see (though no clue what happens at 3B!)
Stickguy
10/22/2012-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
maybe I am not sentimental enough. But sure, a guy like Wright playing his entire career with the Mets is a nice feel-good story.
But I would absolutely trade that for seeing a few more WS titles in my lifetime.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
I am a very sentimental person. But for me, the sentimentality comes in based on performance as far as baseball is concerned.
From 2005–2008 Wright deserved some of these kinds of feelings.
But it is a tough game. The last four years he has been up and down and not the same player he was from 2005–2008.
He turns 30 soon, and a megadeal for him will be insane. Omar will smile and laugh his ass off from his little office in San Diego.
I am ultra-sentimental for just about everything and everyone from the Davey Johnson Mets. But they won a title and were fearsome for years. The Wright Mets have one postseason appearance, two historic chokes, and four straight fourth place finishes.
Is this primarily Wright’s fault? Absolutely not, and I have NEVER been in the moronic “We haven’t won with him” school of idiocy.
But do the last 6 years have much sentimental value for me?
No sir.
SaltyGary
10/22/2012-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
This is the crux of the issue and why I am so ticked at this franchise right now. Any other major market team would be able to pony up for Wright, so we can have our ambassador and make up for it on other areas of the field. Maybe I am wrong for having my cake and eating it too, but dammit this is the correct move if the team wasn’t run by a bunch of creeps. Instead we have to give up cornerstones to rebuild when the rebuild should of happened a couple years ago.
Yes as a business decision Wright getting moved is the correct move, but on the flip side its a good bad decision to sign him as well.
TX
10/22/2012-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Agreed. One big contract for Wright should not submarine the whole operation, in theory. While it stinks having to work within a firm budget cap, in theory that shouldn’t hamstring you if you’ve planned properly and have enough fluctuating contracts to make adjustments. Unfortunately, that “fluctuating contracts” isn’t happening until next year, when Bay, Johan and Francisco comes off the books. So, assuming the kids start panning out and such, we shouldn’t have to see 4 or so $15-25 Million dollar a year contracts, or at least until Citi-field is consistently sold out and the payroll is floating around 140-150 mil per year. Sorry, I wandered into fantasy land there….
darknova306
10/22/2012-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
You had that cake for years. The problem was that Omar baked it with curry powder instead of sugar. This team shouldn’t be rebuilding right now, they should be maintaining a competitive roster. Omar’s binge spending top-down approach to building a team is exactly what killed them.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Agreed with you guys, and I have mentioned this before.
If we were the Omar/Madoff Mets, or the Yanks/Angels/Cubs/Dodgers/etc., sure, overpay Wright, and hope we have a couple great bats in 2–3 years so maybe he can again be really productive.
But we aren’t them, and we cannot just write off bad deals and keep signing more guys.
The main part of my thinking is indeed that he simply is not worth a megadeal at this stage of his career, but the team’s overall clearly muddy financial picture simply must come into play too.
I’d like to see Harvey locked up a la Niese in a year if he indeed is this good, we may need to do the same with Ike and Tejada, we might be able to add a few good players for 2014 after all of the deals come off the books next year, so giving Wright all of this dough now just does not make sense for the post-Madoff Mets.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
I’m not really sold on Tejada as a guy you want to make a long term bigger $ commitment too. Rather just ride the arbitration train for a while with him.
srt
10/22/2012-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
Agree with Stick on Tejada. I have no problem with him right now but what’s the hurry?
And I don’t think the Yankees have that luxury to ‘pay’ for their mistakes either anymore. If I’m reading the new CBA rules for luxury tax now, I believe if you go over the luxury tax 2 years in a row you’re penalized somewhere around 50% on that second year. I think that’s why Cashman said he’s looking to get that payroll under $189 MIL going into the 2014 season.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Too early and did not mean sign Ruben this week.
But, should he play 150 games, field very well, hit say .280+ with a .350+ OBP and continue to show excellent instincts and maturity for the next two years, then I would say lock him up after 2014.
Not a star maybe, but a very solid, smart player who–on a real team which I hope we one day again root for–he is a valuable number 7 or 8 (or even 2 maybe) hitter doing a fine job at a key defensive position.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
I think the luxury tax not only escalates $$, but you also start forfeiting picks.
TX
10/22/2012-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
I thought loss of picks was only due to overspending on the draft.
srt
10/22/2012-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
Loss of draft picks too? Yikes….I missed that one.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-2:32pm at 2:32 pm (UTC -4)
I could be mixing the 2 up. remember, not like I actually do research here, as opposed to pulling it all out of my nether region usually.
darknova306
10/22/2012-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
I’m all sorts of sentimental, too. Problem is that the past half-decade of mediocrity and miserable failure reminded me that sentimentality takes a back seat to winning. Wright ending his career with the Mets would be a cute trivia answer in a pub, but a championship would be glorious and is the only real goal they should be working toward.
kingman 26
10/22/2012-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed 100%!
I fear that I am growing somewhat apathetic, and I have not felt this way since the Coleman-Murray-Bonilla horror shows of 1992-1993.
srt
10/22/2012-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
I’m thinking we should know by Dec where this team stands in regards to extending both Wright and Dickey…right?
I have to believe if talks through Nov aren’t going well they almost have to start turning their focus on trading them. They can’t let this drag out all winter, putting on hold other moves waiting to see how this all plays out.
I’ll go on record saying I’d like to see them both re-signed – but also will not surprise me if they can’t reach a deal and they’re traded.
When are the winter meetings? I’m assuming sometime in the first week of Dec?
Stickguy
10/22/2012-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
I would think that the end of November will be it. the winter meetings always were in early December I think, so that would be the place to start the trade talks (well, they would have been started already, but to ramp them up and seal the deal).
srt
10/22/2012-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
OT:
Just read this over on MLBTR:
Many teams now find themselves flush with cash thanks to lucrative national and local TV contracts, making this a promising offseason for free agents, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d). “There’s so much money out there, it’s scary,” said a highly ranked executive. Top free agents such as Zack Greinke are obviously in line for major paydays, but other free agents such as Angel Pagan, Ryan Ludwick, and Mike Adams could be in for more money than they ever imagined.
*************************************
Dang….obviously the Mets aren’t one of these teams. It’s a no wonder we’re not pursuing any high priced FAs this off season. No way we can compete with teams that have money to play with.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
well, the mets share in any national increase too. Not local of course, since those deals are fixed for now.
GMs (well, most of them) do seem like sailors that just get paid pulling into port after a 6 month sail, to use an old cliche.
so, let them have a bidding war for Ludwick and wake up the day after with a very expensive hangover!
srt
10/22/2012-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
hahahaha
kingman 26
10/22/2012-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
Alright, there’s a new post.
Nothing to see here.
Move on…
Prismo
10/22/2012-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
My opinion on this is: probably not, but maybe.
I think mostly, it depends on the actual trade. Wright for Upton is a “NO WAY JOSE.” Wright for Upton + 1 top 10 prospect is a “Well I just don’t think it’s enough.” Wright for Upton and 2 high level prospects is “Gears are now spinning in my head.” Any more than that I think is unrealistic to expect, even in a best-case scenario.
The reality is probably closest to the middle one. Or maybe Upton + mediocre relief pitcher + mid level prospect. Also, the Mets would have ~$5M more to hypothetically spend this offseason (although personally I bet they’d just bank that money).
It’s a tough one, but I think it comes down to the exact offer and what Wright is looking for in a contract. I definitely don’t think it’s as easy as a YES or a NO at this early stage.
TX
10/22/2012-3:57pm at 3:57 pm (UTC -4)
Why would AZ chip in prospects?
Prismo
10/22/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Because there’s no way the trade is happening without more than just Upton going to the Mets.
wanny
10/22/2012-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
They wouldn’t. No reason to chip in prospects when they will have to shell out a ton of dough to extend the older player.
Prismo
10/22/2012-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
Okay that’s fine, then the trade is never happening on the Mets end.
My honest opinion? I don’t even know why the Diamondbacks would do this. I imagine they’d rather trade Upton for a prospect or two and leave it at that. I don’t think the Dbacks are looking to pay a David Wright huge money regardless.
Prismo
10/22/2012-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry, one more point. The one reason they could do it would be to let Wright walk and save the $29M left on Upton’s contract after 2013.
Stickguy
10/22/2012-4:29pm at 4:29 pm (UTC -4)
bingo. they have enough OFs, need an upgrade at 3B, and it can give them a better shot at the playoffs in 2013, while reducing their LT contract exposure.
wanny
10/22/2012-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
AZ might also be motivated to do it because Upton is unhappy. If they are willing to pay Wright, they won’t lose any production and will free themselves of someone who doesn’t want to be there.
TX
10/22/2012-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
That’s my point exactly. They are not trading a 5 year younger player and prospects to pay more for Wright. Straight up is the only way I see this happening.
Prismo
10/22/2012-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
You realize the beating the Mets would take if they made this trade straight up? It would be a media NIGHTMARE for them.
TX
10/22/2012-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
How so? They got a Younger OF (which they need) that is locked up for 3 more years. Yeah, I can see the outrage of losing a fan fav., but if it enables the team to make some actual moves in the offseason and better the team, the media will come around, cause they all like to ride the bandwagon.
Prismo
10/22/2012-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
It doesn’t *really* allow them to make moves though. It’s $5M saved this year and I’m telling you, the Wilpons will probably bank that shizzle.
It’s going to be trading away one of the greatest Mets of all time for a guy who had 17 homers and 67 ribbies last season. I’m not saying that’s the fairest of statements, but it’ll be the one made by a large portion of the fanbase and a larger portion of the drama-loving media.
TX
10/22/2012-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Could be, but Young was an MVP candidate last year. Spin could go all sorts of ways on this.
wanny
10/22/2012-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
Upton had a down year but was arguably an MVP candidate the season before.
In reality, his production will probably be better than Wright’s for the foreseeable future. He has been considered a top young player and I think even Mets fans could overlook that he had a bad season this year.
I bet playing under the spotlight could be just what Justin needs.
Mr North Jersey
10/22/2012-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
Off Topic: I am having trouble for about 40 minutes now connecting to MMO. Can someone do me a favor and confirm if they have trouble as well?
Prismo
10/22/2012-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
I know Amazon’s cloud network has been down most of the afternoon affecting several prominent websites. If they use that, there’s your answer.
Mr North Jersey
10/22/2012-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
Thx Prismo.
TRS86
10/22/2012-4:26pm at 4:26 pm (UTC -4)
Yup.
Hitman
10/22/2012-9:58pm at 9:58 pm (UTC -4)
Wright for Upton? No.
Wright for Bauer? Yes.