After a couple of seasons marred by injuries and overall slip in production, Mets third baseman David Wright has certainly picked the right time to recapture the form that made him an elite player throughout the first few years of his career. With a potential foray into free agency looming after 2013, the right-handed hitter has been worth 5.8 WAR so far in 2012 according to fangraphs, positioning him nicely for extension talks that both he and the Mets have suggested they'd like to explore. Here's the latest on Wright and the Mets, from Mike Puma of the New York Post …
Wright is "optimistic" that he and the Mets can reach agreement on a long-term extension, though he cautioned that winning is more important to him than money alone: “The money issue for me, I don’t think that will be the deciding factor,” Wright said. He's pleased with the organization's recent direction but characterized it as a "baby step" and said there's still a way to go before the team has fully turned the corner to becoming perennial playoff contenders.
Further, as has been the case this season, Wright will not engage in talks during the 2013 campaign, so it appears the window for the sides to reach an extension would be during this upcoming offseason. Wright promises he will be listening if and when the Mets come to discuss a new deal, though: “Coming up through the system, I have a tremendous amount of loyalty to this organization,” Wright said. “I can’t tell you what the future holds, but I’m hoping — optimistic — that something will get done.”
The Mets, of course, hold a $16MM option on Wright for 2013, which they are almost certain to exercise. It has been speculated that Wright's next contract will very likely break the nine-figure barrier.
New York also holds a 2013 option on 38-year-old knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, this one for a more modest $5MM. And, like Wright, Dickey wants to remain a Met but would prefer not to enter into in-season extension talks in 2013, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger. Again, that would leave only the upcoming offseason for the sides to hammer out a possible extension.
People with knowledge of the situation said that the Mets and Dickey did briefly discuss a short-term extension earlier this season — a deal that would have at least kept the pitcher in New York through 2014 — although the team decided to wait and see how the season would play out. Dickey has since pitched like a legitimate Cy Young Award candidate, although the extension talks earlier this season never included salary talks on par with a pitcher of that caliber.
Despite Dickey's age, a rival NL executive told McCullough that the right-hander should be able to command at least a three-year contract after 2013:
“With his kind of knuckleball, you’ve got to believe [he can last] three or four more years, at least. He’s got such great makeup. He’s going to keep himself in great condition. He’s going to keep that edge for quite a while.”
Tricky on going LT with RJ Dickey. One can look at prior knuckleballers who were good and see that Wake and Joe Niekro were successful until age 41, Phil Niekro until age 45. Hoyte Wilhelm until the age of 48 and Wilbur Wood 34. Now Wood blew his arm out. Hard to throw 1400 over 4 seasons and not show effect and 376IP in 1 season alone and *49* starts that year.
Dickey does not have the track record of any of those guys and that could be a possible red flag when comparing it to previous knuckleballers as far as longevity goes, then lack of innings could be a bonus with regards to wear and tear.
Alderson has a real dilemma here. Got a feeling Dickey could get a fairly decent offer on the open market and could be one of the more interesting FA for us all to see in years as there really is no precedent for us since the Niekros hit the market at near the top of their game, as in Phil
Wilbur Wood didn’t blow out his arm, he broke his knee.
David Wright will most likely be a lifetime Met. He is the face of the franchise and could easily go down as the greatest Met of all time. He’s already one of their best players ever. Management is going to have no choice but to give this year’s 2nd best player in the NL a big contract.
This is a team on the rebound – great management, a better financial situation, a few great young studs (Harvey, Wheeler), two awful contracts coming off the books (Santana Bay), and a lot of room to make some serious signings beyond Wright. Even if he says winning is more important, he’s committed to this team.
Not to be a downer, but I think I would’ve used mostly the same words to describe the Albert Pujols/Cardinals situation this past off-season. Face of the franchise, could be the greatest Cardinal of all time, already one of their best, winning being important, but also being committed to the team.
Having said that, even though I’m a Cardinals fan, it’s nice to see a player choose to stay with a team for their career, like Chipper Jones has. If the Mets give him close to market value for his skillset, I’d love to see him re-sign. Even though the Mets are pond scum. 😉
That is why I believe that an extension will get done THIS offseason…so that Wright doesn’t reach free agency, as I expect him to be able to get at least 6 years and $120M on the free agent market
Yes I agree with you but I would like to add that the Mets have a lot of talent in the low minors, thanks to the 2011/2012 drafts by DePodesta. Especially with pitching heavy 2011 draft, guys like Fullmer, Mazzoni, Tyler Pill, Leathersich, etc. are all progressing nicely (and on the position player side for ex. you have Nimmo and Plawecki in the low minors). Over all a pretty impressive draft thus far, certainly far superior to the drafts in the early days. This team over the next 2-3 years will have a lot of fresh young blood coming in and just rounding out the big league club quite nicely, or at least will be trade bait for something else
you forgot wilmer flores and aderlin rodriguez…to go along with tejada and valdespin…..not to mention ike and duda..who both have long ball potential…also murphy….
me thinks the future is bright…but then again im an optimist !
I see David Wright likely getting a contract of at least 6 years and $120M…as a symbol for what he means to the franchise. I see him staying in New York for the rest of his career and perhaps being the last player to ever wear number 5 for the Mets.
As for Dickey, I see him getting 2 years and $12-13M, as knuckleballers can last a little longer in age.
Seems clear that if Wright doesn’t think the Mets can contend within the first 1-2 years of his next contract, he will sign elsewhere.
With the emergence of a young Washington team, the always in it & also young Atlanta team, the Mets have a unenviable task ahead of them
This is going to hurt a little being a Yankees fan, however…I really do hope that the Mets sign Wright to a long term contract commensurate to what he has done & has meant to the franchise. It’s always better In NY when the Yankees & the Mets are doing well, ala 1999-2000, 2006. If the Mets make the mistake of insulting Wright & trying to short-change him & he leaves, they are going to lose what fanbase they have left…