Mets contemplating an extension for Wright.

[Ralf]

The Mets, Sterling, the Wilpons, Alderson, the collective front office, whomever you want to distinguish as the lead decision maker, will not allow Wright to hit free agency. He is waaaay to valuable to a franchise that is attempting to rebuild its image. Its laughable that people have created this meme in their heads about a conspiracy that payroll will continue to be slashed year after year. You're basically seeing the bottom of payroll levels for this franchise right now (give or take a few million). Furthermore, if one actually did the smallest amount of research, one would realize that starting in 2014 the Mets will have a TON of payroll flexibility. Guess who's contract is up in 2013?

As I predicted earlier in this thread, you will see an agreement on a contract extension for Wright sometime this season.

[Ralf]

Maybe is some people go up on the Bridge and chant David Wright's name Wilpon will sign him. It worked with Reyes.............oh wait.........nevermind.

The problem with you're whole thesis is that it relies on the premise that the front office believed the two players to be equal. Clearly they did not and the decision to let Reyes chase his $100m dream only made the decision that much easier. Wright was always the keeper while Reyes was only going to be kept on their terms.

[milladrive]

The Mets, Sterling, the Wilpons, Alderson, the collective front office, whomever you want to distinguish as the lead decision maker, will not allow Wright to hit free agency. He is waaaay to valuable to a franchise that is attempting to rebuild its image. Its laughable that people have created this meme in their heads about a conspiracy that payroll will continue to be slashed year after year. You're basically seeing the bottom of payroll levels for this franchise right now (give or take a few million). Furthermore, if one actually did the smallest amount of research, one would realize that starting in 2014 the Mets will have a TON of payroll flexibility. Guess who's contract is up in 2013?

As I predicted earlier in this thread, you will see an agreement on a contract extension for Wright sometime this season.

The problem with you're whole thesis is that it relies on the premise that the front office believed the two players to be equal. Clearly they did not and the decision to let Reyes chase his $100m dream only made the decision that much easier. Wright was always the keeper while Reyes was only going to be kept on their terms.

Let's hope you're Wright... errm... right. I for one think you are. ...although we may not see the extension this season. I'm not saying it won't happen before October, but there's always the chance they'll wait until the offseason (or even next season) to see just how solvent the organization really is. Either way, I'm holding firm with my belief that David Wright will spend his career as a Met. I'll even go out on a limb by speculating that #5 will one day be retired by the Mets.

[Paulypal]

The problem with you're whole thesis is that it relies on the premise that the front office believed the two players to be equal. Clearly they did not and the decision to let Reyes chase his $100m dream only made the decision that much easier. Wright was always the keeper while Reyes was only going to be kept on their terms.

The problem with your problem is that when you only quote half of a post you missed the point. My point was directed at the fact that Alderson is not going to make the decision. Just like he didnt make the Reyes decision. He didnt make that one and wont make this one.

[Strawman]

Wright's a great Met and I hope the Wilpons decide to go long-term - despite Pauly's absolutism on this, I'm certain Alderson will have serious influence on this decision, either way.

But one this is absolutely sure: David Wright also has a "$100m dream" - that's carved in stone. Book it, believe it. And the Mets will have to go there to keep him. I hope they do, just as I hoped they'd do it for other signature player of this Mets generation.

[D-Dubs]

Just saw this thread and wanted to chime in...

Seems there are two controversies here: 1) Will the Mets offer close to what Wright can get from potentially irrational bidders?; and 2) Will Wright take a hometown discount, and will it be big enough so that the two sides meet?

In considering those, I think you have to consider that maybe this guy really is different from most other athletes. By all reports, he is more humble, more grounded, and less arrogant than almost any other athletes people have met. I've met him twice and that's my opinion.

He has an emotional tie to the organization from childhood, has had great experiences here his first few years, and the fan base loves him. If you love where you're at -- and despite losing, he seems to -- it takes a lot to make you move.

So from his perspective, if the Mets offer him Zimmerman money, but the Braves go to $120 million -- he may very well say "$100 million is enough and I love it here." But I don't think it ever gets there. They'll match Zimmerman's contract this summer, or modestly exceed it, and he'll agree.

Met for life, all the team records, #5 out on the Party Deck eventually.

[Strawman]

I dunno fellas, my own ideas of who was or was not a "good guy" and true to my chosen team did not - frankly, and I say this without trying to cast any aspersions - survive my middle teens. I won't wear a jersey of a player younger than me (limits me to my Seaver pinstripes) - it just feels weird.

It almost seems like a lot fans here want a hero. Call it the triumph of hope over experience, but even you older fellows seem to really admire this younger man based on qualities that - again, this is my own cynicism talking - just don't matter that much in pro sports.

The Mets are no more better or noble than any other pro franchise and on the surface, though he's pretty clearly a nice guy, David Wright is no better person as a pro athlete because he excels for the Mets and is generally a decent young man. David Wright is no better as a person than Jose Reyes was and we learned there what a one-way ticket loyalty is in pro sports. (Please don't argue this point - look at Reyes's community work, his massive personal charity in the Dominican Republic, his strong family life, his good guy award this winter from the sportswriters who love him, and the fact that he was never benched for not running out a ground ball. Reyes was just as "good a guy" as Wright, just as good a Met, only he played a little harder. Any differences are frankly cultural, and that's why you get a Fred Wilpon talking about one of these two young men as the guy he'd like his daughter to marry. Let's not go there any farther).

All of this is a long-winded way of saying David Wright should push the Mets to get every penny and every year he can. I'm hoping they ink him to a long-term deal so that at least one of the Mets brilliant Glimmer Twins can finish his career here. We ignored one, let's the keep the other.

reyes-wright-11911.jpg

[D-Dubs]

Don't see what their age relative to mine has to do with it. I'm 44, and as I've matured, I've changed to a point where I will only root for people who, by all available evidence, are "good guys". Not looking for a hero, just hoping that good things happen to good people.

When I was younger, i didn't care about that... Just rooted for " the laundry". Now I need to respect those I'm pulling for. Whether or not I wear a jersey with a name or number on it doesn't make me feel weird, doesnt make me feel anything. On July 4th, I wear red, white, and blue. When I go to Met games, I wear blue and orange. No deep psychological issue there.

I respected Reyes and rooted for him, and by all available evidence he was a good guy. He took the best offer, and I don't begrudge him that. As long as he's not playing against the Mets, I still wish him success.

My point is that there are reasons certain guys take hometown discounts, and I'll bet you Wright is one of those guys.

Respectfully and completely disagree that Reyes played "harder". He ran faster.

[mandrake]

Don't see what their age relative to mine has to do with it. I'm 44, and as I've matured, I've changed to a point where I will only root for people who, by all available evidence, are "good guys". Not looking for a hero, just hoping that good things happen to good people.

When I was younger, i didn't care about that... Just rooted for " the laundry". Now I need to respect those I'm pulling for. Whether or not I wear a jersey with a name or number on it doesn't make me feel weird, doesnt make me feel anything. On July 4th, I wear red, white, and blue. When I go to Met games, I wear blue and orange. No deep psychological issue there.

I respected Reyes and rooted for him, and by all available evidence he was a good guy. He took the best offer, and I don't begrudge him that. As long as he's not playing against the Mets, I still wish him success.

My point is that there are reasons certain guys take hometown discounts, and I'll bet you Wright is one of those guys.

Respectfully and completely disagree that Reyes played "harder". He ran faster.

Unfortunately, way too many fans root for the laundry all of the time. Mets fan that disliked Bonilla when he was on the Pirates suddenly made him a good guy when he joined the Mets. Rangers fans cheered the antics of Sean Avery at the Garden. Football Giants fans looked the other way when Plaxico was doing his imitation of Annie Oakley. Yankees fans loved Steve Howe until he became ineffective on the mound.

Wright IS a good guy. The Mets SHOULD sign him to an extension. However, the Yankees and Dodgers may wave a 10 year 200 million dollar contract at him; it's easy for all of us to say "Stay here"....but nobody is waving that kind of money at any of us. If I am Wright, even if I really want to stay here, I play the market . He deserves it!

[Paulypal]

Unfortunately, way too many fans root for the laundry all of the time. Mets fan that disliked Bonilla when he was on the Pirates suddenly made him a good guy when he joined the Mets. Rangers fans cheered the antics of Sean Avery at the Garden. Football Giants fans looked the other way when Plaxico was doing his imitation of Annie Oakley. Yankees fans loved Steve Howe until he became ineffective on the mound.

Wright IS a good guy. The Mets SHOULD sign him to an extension. However, the Yankees and Dodgers may wave a 10 year 200 million dollar contract at him; it's easy for all of us to say "Stay here"....but nobody is waving that kind of money at any of us. If I am Wright, even if I really want to stay here, I play the market . He deserves it!

I agree 100%.

"Rooting for the laundry" has caused many a disagreement on here for me. "Fans" get a player that says Mets on the shirt and somehow they are above average, great, etc etc etc. The worst case of rooting for laundry I have ever seen is Roger Clemens. Hated by Yankee fans until he became one.

The Mets will make a play for Wright the question is will it be enough? Again as I said with Reyes 1000 times its up to Wright where he signs hence the word FREE agent. He is not obligated to sign as a Met and does not owe them a home town discount. Wright seems like a good guy for sure, but what does that mean really? Does that mean he is entitled to more money, or that he needs to be signed? Reyes seemed like a good guy too and that meant nothing to Wilpon.

Here is the problem. Every free agent is a Dodger until they say they dont want him. The Dodgers will spend Yankee money over the next couple of years. Their ownership group has very very deep pockets, and the Dodgers are going to be a huge force in the NL for years to come. If they want David Wright they will have David Wright. At the end of the day baseball is David Wrights job. Its customary to look for the most money when seeking employment if given a choice.

[Strawman]

Unfortunately, way too many fans root for the laundry all of the time. Mets fan that disliked Bonilla when he was on the Pirates suddenly made him a good guy when he joined the Mets. Rangers fans cheered the antics of Sean Avery at the Garden. Football Giants fans looked the other way when Plaxico was doing his imitation of Annie Oakley. Yankees fans loved Steve Howe until he became ineffective on the mound.

Wright IS a good guy. The Mets SHOULD sign him to an extension. However, the Yankees and Dodgers may wave a 10 year 200 million dollar contract at him; it's easy for all of us to say "Stay here"....but nobody is waving that kind of money at any of us. If I am Wright, even if I really want to stay here, I play the market . He deserves it!

I agree 100%.

"Rooting for the laundry" has caused many a disagreement on here for me. "Fans" get a player that says Mets on the shirt and somehow they are above average, great, etc etc etc. The worst case of rooting for laundry I have ever seen is Roger Clemens. Hated by Yankee fans until he became one.

The Mets will make a play for Wright the question is will it be enough? Again as I said with Reyes 1000 times its up to Wright where he signs hence the word FREE agent. He is not obligated to sign as a Met and does not owe them a home town discount. Wright seems like a good guy for sure, but what does that mean really? Does that mean he is entitled to more money, or that he needs to be signed? Reyes seemed like a good guy too and that meant nothing to Wilpon.

Here is the problem. Every free agent is a Dodger until they say they dont want him. The Dodgers will spend Yankee money over the next couple of years. Their ownership group has very very deep pockets, and the Dodgers are going to be a huge force in the NL for years to come. If they want David Wright they will have David Wright. At the end of the day baseball is David Wrights job. Its customary to look for the most money when seeking employment if given a choice.

I agree with both of these posts. And the more I think of it, the more I believe the operative phrase for Wright and his team will be "Joey Votto money." And can you blame him? I can't.

[Ralf]

There area plenty of examples of guys taking slightly less to either stay or play for the team of their choice. The two most recent that come to mind are Weaver and Lee.

So spare me the pants on fire posts about Wright testing free agency, and lol, going to the Dodgers for Votto money.

[D-Dubs]

I agree with both of these posts. And the more I think of it, the more I believe the operative phrase for Wright and his team will be "Joey Votto money." And can you blame him? I can't.

Guys, it's never gonna get to that point. Wright will never be a free agent, so no team will ever have the chance to offer him Votto money. He will sign a "Zimmerman-like" extension, be a wealthy man, and there will be two camps of observers... 1) those that call him a sucker for taking less than he could have gotten, and 2) those that respect his grounding and his allegiance to "his team". I'll be in camp # 2. Plenty in camp #1 here.

Remember Paul O'Neill's last contract negotiation... Wright's that guy.

[D-Dubs]

Quoting Ken Davidoff from Newsday...

In the fall of 1994, Paul O'Neill huddled with his agent, Joe Bick, to discuss the upcoming negotiations with the Yankees for a long-term contract.

"How much should I get?" O'Neill asked Bick.

"Four years and $22 million," Bick - having crunched all of the numbers - told his client.

O'Neill thought for a moment, then ordered, "Keep it under 20." And from that came a four-year, $19.75-million contract that set O'Neill on his way toward four more World Series rings.

[D-Dubs]

Unfortunately, way too many fans root for the laundry all of the time. Mets fan that disliked Bonilla when he was on the Pirates suddenly made him a good guy when he joined the Mets. Rangers fans cheered the antics of Sean Avery at the Garden. Football Giants fans looked the other way when Plaxico was doing his imitation of Annie Oakley.

Amen. I had been a Jet fan my whole life. Hated what blowhard Rex Ryan brought to the team, then when they brought in Santonio and Plaxico, I couldn't take it any longer. Done. When and if the team starts behaving more like Tebow than Ryan, maybe I'll come back.

[D-Dubs]

I dunno fellas, my own ideas of who was or was not a "good guy" and true to my chosen team did not - frankly, and I say this without trying to cast any aspersions - survive my middle teens...

The Mets are no more better or noble than any other pro franchise and on the surface, though he's pretty clearly a nice guy, David Wright is no better person as a pro athlete because he excels for the Mets and is generally a decent young man...
reyes-wright-11911.jpg

We clearly think about things differently. Of course Wright is no better because he plays for the Mets. But he is better than most athletes, including Straw (who you evidently admire) because of the way he lives his life. Straw is an addict, wife-beater, and underachiever... but maybe that doesn't matter, because he hit the ball really far.

[mandrake]

Amen. I had been a Jet fan my whole life. Hated what blowhard Rex Ryan brought to the team, then when they brought in Santonio and Plaxico, I couldn't take it any longer. Done. When and if the team starts behaving more like Tebow than Ryan, maybe I'll come back.

I am in the same boat with the Jets !!! I married a Giants fan so I did not root 'against' the Giants......but when you compare the owners, coaches and players....the Jets are missing class at every level.

I disagree about Wright. I think he will stay a Met, but test the waters to see how high the Dodgers and Yankees will go...then he may take a little less to stay a Met.

Mark Buehrle is a good guy. He previously said he turned down lots of Yankee and Red Sox dollars; said he always wanted to stay on the Chisox; said he would only consider St Louis if he ever changed teams since it was close to his farm............well Ozzie went to Miami and they waved money at Buehrle and suddenly he was no longer on the South Side. It happens.

[Strawman]

We clearly think about things differently. Of course Wright is no better because he plays for the Mets. But he is better than most athletes, including Straw (who you evidently admire) because of the way he lives his life. Straw is an addict, wife-beater, and underachiever... but maybe that doesn't matter, because he hit the ball really far.

What a strange argument you proffer! I didn't compare David Wright to Darryl Strawberry. You pulled that out of leftfield (well, really rightfield now that I think about it). I compared Wright to his all-time Met great sidekick Jose Reyes. They compare well and evenly as people.

[Strawman]

There area plenty of examples of guys taking slightly less to either stay or play for the team of their choice. The two most recent that come to mind are Weaver and Lee.

So spare me the pants on fire posts about Wright testing free agency, and lol, going to the Dodgers for Votto money.

Sure, there are. But what I don't understand is why you think this would make David Wright a better person - to be bested in negotiations by a billionaire owner. How does that make Wright "better" should he choose to do down that road? Why did it make O'Neill "better" to leave some his hard-earned money in the pocket of the big corporation he was negotiating with? Why is it more desirable to see these rare, talented individuals - who actually worked for their money - give rebates to the bigshots?

It's this attitude that I don't understand.

Wright can, should (and will, in my view but I could certainly be wrong) pursue a Votto-like deal.

[Paulypal]

Sure, there are. But what I don't understand is why you think this would make David Wright a better person - to be bested in negotiations by a billionaire owner. How does that make Wright "better" should he choose to do down that road? Why did it make O'Neill "better" to leave some his hard-earned money in the pocket of the big corporation he was negotiating with? Why is it more desirable to see these rare, talented individuals - who actually worked for their money - give rebates to the bigshots?

It's this attitude that I don't understand.

Wright can, should (and will, in my view but I could certainly be wrong) pursue a Votto-like deal.

I have to agree with this .....somewhat.

I think if a player loves a certain city than he can take less if he so chooses.

What I dont understand, what I dont get, and what is ridiculous to me is that "Fans" expect a player to take a home town discount because....well just because they want him to. Then get pissed off at the player if he doesnt. Then in the fans eyes he is a greedy, selfish, spoiled player.

I am being hyperthetical here but lets say the Mets off Wright 5 years for $80 million. $16 million a year. Awesome money and more than any of us can imagine making...right? Ok then lets imagine the Dodgers offer Wright 5 years 95 million. $19 million a year. Now its very easy for the average fan to say at that point "what the hell is the difference between 16 and 19 million a year. He will pay most of it in taxes anyway. I know because I have said it myself. The thing is is not for us to say what a guy does. We can WANT him to stay, but if the fans want him to stay more than the owner does than there is nothing we as fans can do.

In my scenario the fan that would say Wright is greedy for taking the 19 and leaving is asking Wright to leave 19% on the table. I have a question for those people..... If you were looking for a job would you leave 19% on the table? In other words if your current employer offered you 84K and another offered you 100k, and you took the 100k are you greedy for leaving? No your not...your just doing the best you can. So why isnt David Wright allowed to do the same. Its not up to the fans to say how much is enough if someone is willing to offer more.

[Strawman]

I have to agree with this .....somewhat.

I think if a player loves a certain city than he can take less if he so chooses.

What I dont understand, what I dont get, and what is ridiculous to me is that "Fans" expect a player to take a home town discount because....well just because they want him to. Then get pissed off at the player if he doesnt. Then in the fans eyes he is a greedy, selfish, spoiled player.

I am being hyperthetical here but lets say the Mets off Wright 5 years for $80 million. $16 million a year. Awesome money and more than any of us can imagine making...right? Ok then lets imagine the Dodgers offer Wright 5 years 95 million. $19 million a year. Now its very easy for the average fan to say at that point "what the hell is the difference between 16 and 19 million a year. He will pay most of it in taxes anyway. I know because I have said it myself. The thing is is not for us to say what a guy does. We can WANT him to stay, but if the fans want him to stay more than the owner does than there is nothing we as fans can do.

In my scenario the fan that would say Wright is greedy for taking the 19 and leaving is asking Wright to leave 19% on the table. I have a question for those people..... If you were looking for a job would you leave 19% on the table? In other words if your current employer offered you 84K and another offered you 100k, and you took the 100k are you greedy for leaving? No your not...your just doing the best you can. So why isnt David Wright allowed to do the same. Its not up to the fans to say how much is enough if someone is willing to offer more.

Yeah and actually I think the difference will in length of contract - so if the Dodgers (and I agree they will be all in on Wright) go 7-8 years and really commit the franchise to him and Kemp, how could that not be attractive to David Wright after his experience in New York.

[Shea Knight]

I have to say I hope they keep him--

Good leader, he's turned it around, a .415 average...

We let Jose get away, keep Wright.

That's the common and overused sentiment...but it's not wrong.

[D-Dubs]

Sure, there are. But what I don't understand is why you think this would make David Wright a better person - to be bested in negotiations by a billionaire owner. How does that make Wright "better" should he choose to do down that road? Why did it make O'Neill "better" to leave some his hard-earned money in the pocket of the big corporation he was negotiating with? Why is it more desirable to see these rare, talented individuals - who actually worked for their money - give rebates to the bigshots?
.

For most owners, payroll is essentially a zero sum game. If Wright takes a discount, he will not have been bested by a bigshot billionaire, he will be a wealthy man playing for a team that can perhaps add another solid starting pitcher. If, as he has said, he wants to win and wants to win with the Mets, taking a discount would get him closer to that goal.

And there seems to be a disconnect between the apparent disdain for the greedy bigshots, and the sentiment that Wright should milk them for every last dime. In one case greed is evil, but not so in the other? Or is it OK because we're redistributing the wealth?

If you were looking for a job would you leave 19% on the table? In other words if your current employer offered you 84K and another offered you 100k, and you took the 100k are you greedy for leaving? No your not...your just doing the best you can. So why isnt David Wright allowed to do the same. Its not up to the fans to say how much is enough if someone is willing to offer more.

I agree, it wouldn't make someone greedy for leaving for more money. But neither does it make them irrational, or a sucker, to stay. I have been in that situation, where another company offered me significantly more to move across the country and do the same job. I liked where I was at, so I turned it down. I'd contend that the decision gets easier as the dollars get bigger. The further you are already above your cost of living, the more likely you are to turn down "extra" money.

My last word on the topic, as I think we're going in circles a bit -- I think the only way Wright ever even sees an offer from the Dodgers (or God forbid, the Braves) is if the Mets really try to lowball him and put him below Zimmerman in years/dollars. He is making it so clear that he is a superior player to Zimmerman, I just can't see how the Mets would rationally try to do that.

[Ralf]

Forgot to post this last week.

For Mets, Wright situation is nothing like Reyes situation

David Wright is not another Jose Reyes situation. At least not in the eyes of Mets decisionmakers.

Mets owner Fred Wilpon may have taken an uncharacteristic and frankly shocking slap at Wright last year with his comment to The New Yorker that Wright isn't a superstar. But Wright's support among high-level Mets people generally is extremely strong. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon long has been a Wright backer, for instance.

Two things you can count on: 1) Wright isn't going anywhere in trade this summer, and 2) the Mets will try to lock up Wright to a longterm deal, if not this season than this winter.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson agreed with my text to him that it would take something "extraordinary'' and "unforeseen'' for Wright to be traded this summer. Loosely translated, that means he ain't going anywhere. The only reason they give themselves even the slightest bit of opening is they understandably don't want to be seen as liars in the event something "extraordinary'' and "unforeseen'' does happen.

Fred Wilpon's comment notwithstanding, Mets people love Wright. More than once one of them has been heard to call Wright "Our Jeter.'' If that's the way they feel, he's not going anywhere in trade. The Mets hold a team option for $16 million for next year which they will surely exercised provided no long deal is struck beforehand.

..........................

That absence last year not withstanding, in comparison to Reyes, Mets people view Wright as the more reliable player and team leader. While they never seriously considered trading Reyes (of course he was hurt at the deadline in July), it's also true, as Reyes has recounted, the Mets made a less-than-aggressive try to keep him. The Mets suggested an incentive-laden contract with a five-year guarantee after he was already close to signing his $106-million, six-year deal with the Marlins. Of course, Mets ownership has untangled itself from the messiness of the Madoff situation since then.

But the main difference between the Reyes and Wright situations is the players themselves. There's no way the Mets would let Wright go to a division rival. Alderson also can't help but love Wright's baseball-best .489 on-base percentage to go with the National League-best batting average. For all his many great strengths, Reyes' career on-base percentage is only a decent .341.

.....................

Seeing as how the Mets favor Wright by a mile over Reyes, it's hard to see how they convince him to stay for much less than the $106 million Miami gave to Reyes, who never was their Jeter.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jo...eyes-situation

$106 over 6yrs for Wright? Where do I sign up? Thats a no brainer.

[Strawman]

But the main difference between the Reyes and Wright situations is the players themselves. There's no way the Mets would let Wright go to a division rival. Alderson also can't help but love Wright's baseball-best .489 on-base percentage to go with the National League-best batting average. For all his many great strengths, Reyes' career on-base percentage is only a decent .341.

Heyman's generally astute, but what a maroon for writing this line! He's comparing Wright's brilliant - but current - OBP of less than two months with Reyes' all-time OBP? That's just silly. To easily counter this, last year Reyes had a .384 OBP whilst Wright went .345. So what?

Wright and Reyes compare well and fairly evenly in value for their careers - look how the market has valued them. And they have nearly the same number of hits and runs. Wright's a power guy, Reyes is speed. We already knew this. I'd have kept Reyes and Wright as Mets for their careers.