Mets contemplating an extension for Wright.

[D-Dubs]

Trying to build a winner is defined as... Trying to build a winner!

What we’re looking at in Flushing is not an attempt to build a winner: it’s been an attempt to build the cheapest team possible by getting rid of any movable talent making much more than the minimum.

... When you’ve just gotten away with the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, own a regional sports network in the biggest market in the world and have NYC building a $3 billion neighborhood around your ballpark - in which your real estate company has been chosen as developer - you don’t have to worry about “maximizing wins per payroll dollar”! You’re not the friggin Pirates or the A’s! You should simply be worried about “maximizing wins”!
...
A lot of Mets fans no longer expect much winning. Like yourself, they’ll still buy expensive season tickets...

We think so differently, I doubt it's productive to debate, but to defend my point of view...

The public record will show that these owners did not "get away" with the Ponzi scheme, but rather were swindled by the Ponzi scheme... Minor error on your part.

If you ran a publicly traded business, I would short your stock eight days a week. As an owner of a business, you seek to maximize revenues and minimize expenses. You presume that revenues are limitless, and therefore so should be expenses... Absurd.

And last, but certainly not least... As I've said, my purchase of a ticket does not entitle me to a win. It entitles me to watch a baseball game, and I love that. I spend time with my family, root for the Mets, and enjoy the game. Wow, what a sucker I am! Thank you for your sage advice on how to spend my hard earned money.

[Mongoose]

We think so differently, I doubt it's productive to debate, but to defend my point of view...

The public record will show that these owners did not "get away" with the Ponzi scheme, but rather were swindled by the Ponzi scheme... Minor error on your part.

If you ran a publicly traded business, I would short your stock eight days a week. As an owner of a business, you seek to maximize revenues and minimize expenses. You presume that revenues are limitless, and therefore so should be expenses... Absurd.

And last, but certainly not least... As I've said, my purchase of a ticket does not entitle me to a win. It entitles me to watch a baseball game, and I love that. I spend time with my family, root for the Mets, and enjoy the game. Wow, what a sucker I am! Thank you for your sage advice on how to spend my hard earned money.

If you honestly believe a pair of sharks like Fred and Saul were getting the exact same ROI year after year, had been warned Madoff’s returns were impossible, and still retained a childlike trust in him, well... I’d run like hell from any business you were associated with.

It’s fairly obvious they realized what was happening, looked at the lay of the land, decided to ride the situation out, grab as much as they could along the way, and brazen it out if and when it collapsed. As Saul once famously said: “I’ve got big balls”. And it worked.

Based on the Angels’ and Rangers’ recent deals, if SNY is paying the Mets $70 million a year for T.V. rights, the Wilpons, through SNY, are probably skimming a nine figure sum annually that’s not being reinvested in the team. I’m therefore presuming there’s plenty of money to sign Wright, Reyes, whoever.

But since we’re talking about business decisions, maybe Fred and Saul are making the right one by sticking the money in their pockets and shortchanging the fans. You have people that consider themselves Mets fans defending how they loot resources from the team and getting peeved at anyone who points this out, and points out what an anomaly it is fans continue to patronize and defend them. It’s unbelievable! Fred and Saul could fail to resign Wright and suffer no consequences. They probably correctly figure that those fans that would walk in protest long since have. Which is why it’s entirely possible that if Wright doesn’t take a hometown discount he’s gone.

[D-Dubs]

If you honestly believe a pair of sharks like Fred and Saul were getting the exact same ROI year after year, had been warned Madoff’s returns were impossible, and still retained a childlike trust in him, well... I’d run like hell from any business you were associated with.

It’s fairly obvious they realized what was happening, looked at the lay of the land, decided to ride the situation out, grab as much as they could along the way, and brazen it out if and when it collapsed. As Saul once famously said: “I’ve got big balls”. And it worked.

Based on the Angels’ and Rangers’ recent deals, if SNY is paying the Mets $70 million a year for T.V. rights, the Wilpons, through SNY, are probably skimming a nine figure sum annually that’s not being reinvested in the team. I’m therefore presuming there’s plenty of money to sign Wright, Reyes, whoever.

But since we’re talking about business decisions, maybe Fred and Saul are making the right one by sticking the money in their pockets and shortchanging the fans. You have people that consider themselves Mets fans defending how they loot resources from the team and getting peeved at anyone who points this out, and points out what an anomaly it is fans continue to patronize and defend them. It’s unbelievable! Fred and Saul could fail to resign Wright and suffer no consequences. They probably correctly figure that those fans that would walk in protest long since have. Which is why it’s entirely possible that if Wright doesn’t take a hometown discount he’s gone.

Fred and Saul are real estate guys, and that's why they outsourced their capital markets investing. I've seen the eyes of some very smart people gloss over when people start talking about receive-fixed/pay-floating swaps or total return swaps. I suspect Bernie talked a very good/fast derivatives game, and the real estate guys said, "OK, Bernie... you're the expert". The returns did vary in a narrow range... it wasn't as obvious as you make it seem.

Fred & Saul OWN the team and OWN a majority stake in SNY. They're not "skimming" or "looting" anything. They're the owners of the businesses. If you don't like their products, don't buy tickets, don't watch the games, don't support their advertisers.

It's not an anomaly that fans continue to go to the games. They're still playing major league baseball in Flushing, and many obviously consider the entertainment a fair value for their money.

Do you consider the ethics/morality/character of the owners of every product or service you purchase? I sure don't. I don't have the time or energy to do so. I enjoy going to Mets games with my family, so I buy Mets tickets. It's not that complex.

[milladrive]

Guys, it's quite evident how easy it is to detour onto the topic of ownership and management -- it could probably be done with any thread on the board -- but this is the David Wright contract extension thread. Passing mention is one thing, but the thread's intended topic seems to be taking a back seat. Let's try to.... well... you know.

[D-Dubs]

Guys, it's quite evident how easy it is to detour onto the topic of ownership and management -- it could probably be done with any thread on the board -- but this is the David Wright contract extension thread. Passing mention is one thing, but the thread's intended topic seems to be taking a back seat. Let's try to.... well... you know.

Noted... another take on things from Davidoff in the Post today...

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/...wFrpI8xJIxgVxI

[D-Dubs]

I guess we can shut down this thread for a while...

http://www.nypost.com/Page/Uuid/bb8d...c-bbefbde2daf2

[Ralf]

I'm skeptical of Wright's stance. I still think they hammer something out before the end of the year.

[mandrake]

I'm skeptical of Wright's stance. I still think they hammer something out before the end of the year.

OK Ralf, we get it. You know more than David Wright about where David Wright stands. Why don't we all let it go and worry about this after the season ? He is not going to be traded in 2012. The Mets have his option in 2013, so it is silly to carry this further.

[Ralf]

OK Ralf, we get it. You know more than David Wright about where David Wright stands. Why don't we all let it go and worry about this after the season ? He is not going to be traded in 2012. The Mets have his option in 2013, so it is silly to carry this further.

Sure, while we're at it, lets shut down all discussion on the Wilpons, organizational spending, and SNY money? Deal?

[Strawman]

David Wright is looking for Joey Votto money, according to Ken Rosenthal (cue the requisite "Rosenthal is a bad reporter, hates the Mets, make things up" chorus).
http://www.metsblog.com/2012/06/03/d...50-m-contract/

David Wright should seek an eight-year career-making deal, in my opinion and deserves to get one at close to $20M per. The only question in play here is whether Fred and Saul and Jeff - at Sandy Alderson's recommendation - will give it to him. He'll clearly get it from someone if he plays like he's playing.

[Ralf]

David Wright is looking for Joey Votto money, according to Ken Rosenthal (cue the requisite "Rosenthal is a bad reporter, hates the Mets, make things up" chorus).
http://www.metsblog.com/2012/06/03/d...50-m-contract/

David Wright should seek an eight-year career-making deal, in my opinion and deserves to get one at close to $20M per. The only question in play here is whether Fred and Saul and Jeff - at Sandy Alderson's recommendation - will give it to him. He'll clearly get it from someone if he plays like he's playing.

Actually, Rosenthal said "the best guess" is Wright will seek $150m. He even emphasized guess too. And just so there is no confusion...

Definition of GUESS
transitive verb
1
: to form an opinion of from little or no evidence
2
: believe, suppose
3
: to arrive at a correct conclusion about by conjecture, chance, or intuition

[redban]

Question regarding Wright and an extension.

He has an option for 2013, where the Mets pay him $16 million. What is the most likely scenario?

• Mets pick up his option and let him play out the 2013 season. In the 2013 off-season, they try to sign him to an extension. If nothing happens, he walks ala Jose Reyes.
• Mets pick up his option and try to sign him to an extension before the 2013 season begins. If they cannot sign him, they trade him before spring training 2013.
• Mets pick up his option and trade him at the trading deadline of the 2013 season as a rental player.

Of all the choices, I go with #2. Pick up his option and negotiate a long-term deal. If you re-sign him, we have our 3B for the next decade. If you can't resign him, trade him for 3 elite-level prospects. Either way, we get something in it.

With #1 and #3, there is a strong chance of him leaving without bringing us anything of value.

[Paulypal]

Question regarding Wright and an extension.

He has an option for 2013, where the Mets pay him $16 million. What is the most likely scenario?

• Mets pick up his option and let him play out the 2013 season. In the 2013 off-season, they try to sign him to an extension. If nothing happens, he walks ala Jose Reyes.
• Mets pick up his option and try to sign him to an extension before the 2013 season begins. If they cannot sign him, they trade him before spring training 2013.
• Mets pick up his option and trade him at the trading deadline of the 2013 season as a rental player.

Of all the choices, I go with #2. Pick up his option and negotiate a long-term deal. If you re-sign him, we have our 3B for the next decade. If you can't resign him, trade him for 3 elite-level prospects. Either way, we get something in it.


With #1 and #3, there is a strong chance of him leaving without bringing us anything of value.

Although I agree with you, you have to temper your 3 elite prospects scenario. If he is unsigned and hell bent on hitting the FA market what team in their right mind is going to 3 elite prospects for a potential one year loan?

[Strawman]

Question regarding Wright and an extension.

He has an option for 2013, where the Mets pay him $16 million. What is the most likely scenario?

• Mets pick up his option and let him play out the 2013 season. In the 2013 off-season, they try to sign him to an extension. If nothing happens, he walks ala Jose Reyes.
• Mets pick up his option and try to sign him to an extension before the 2013 season begins. If they cannot sign him, they trade him before spring training 2013.
• Mets pick up his option and trade him at the trading deadline of the 2013 season as a rental player.

Of all the choices, I go with #2. Pick up his option and negotiate a long-term deal. If you re-sign him, we have our 3B for the next decade. If you can't resign him, trade him for 3 elite-level prospects. Either way, we get something in it.

With #1 and #3, there is a strong chance of him leaving without bringing us anything of value.

No. 1 is the most likely - we're headed toward a different flavor of the Reyes scenario with Wright. It's the Wilpon way...

[redban]

Although I agree with you, you have to temper your 3 elite prospects scenario. If he is unsigned and hell bent on hitting the FA market what team in their right mind is going to 3 elite prospects for a potential one year loan?

I was actually thinking he would be hell-bent on going to a contender, not hell-bent on testing free-agency.

So a team like, say, Boston might trade for him and lock him up long-term right away.

[Ralf]

Money and status isn't everything to some players....

David Wright is willing to make at least one prediction about his baseball future: The dollars probably won’t matter as much as the opportunity to win championships.

After avoiding the topic of his contract for most of the summer, the Mets third baseman told The Post he is “optimistic” he will remain long-term with the only organization for which he has played, but he also needs to see in what direction the franchise is headed.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/...#ixzz23WMLUq4U

[Mongoose]

Think about what he said. He's basically saying he'd take less money to go elsewhere.

I'm thinking his representatives aren't dumb. This is a sort of preemptive public relations strike for when the Wilpons try to browbeat him into a hometown discount. He's probably expecting the Wilpons to not make a serious offer and then try to blame him for not taking it, like they did with Reyes. Wright changes the debate by making this statement and blocks off the likely Wilpon strategy. It's a tactical move: I'm sure Wright knows they won't improve the team.

Most of us that are honest with ourselves know what the Wilpons' objectives are: to trot out the cheapest team possible while pocketing SNY money and moving forward with the Willets Point project. Their only real objective regarding Wright is to finesse the situation so they don't take a further hit in viewership or ticket sales. Resigning him won't increase ticket sales. This statement puts pressure on the Wilpons to improve the team, while making it much harder for them to paint him as a villain. It should also make the charade Alderson's selling more apparent to those that still find it credible.

I predict the Wilpons will let him go while Alderson continues to lie about long term strategy aimed at winning. The question is, will they dare do it before the end of next season? I can see it costing a couple hundred thousand or more in attendance if he leaves.

[Shea Knight]

MLB really needs to step in and stop this slime-ball of an owner.

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous--the man consorts with crooks, and is just tanking this team in the worst possible way without a care.

I'll say it again--

I can't believe how much the mood has changed since June 1st...since June 30th for me, seeing Johan pitch what might well prove to be his last great game as a Met.

Oh Mike...sometimes I wonder...why did LA have to trade you?
If you'd stayed, I'd have stayed a Dodger fan, I was just starting to like baseball, I was young and foolish...
I rooted for who you played for, damnit, if you'd have stayed...
I'd get to see all 162 of my team's games a season...
I'd have a team that's now owned by Magic Johnson...
I'd have a reason to tune in even on nights NOT being pitched by Clayton Kershaw...
I'd have Vin Scully calling all my games (though no complaints with Howie or Gary/Keith/Ron)...
I'd have a classic, iconic stadium people knew well and loved and kept and kept looking spectacular at that, instead of a cheap Ebbets Field retread...

And,

I WOULD NOT have been crushed in 2006 so cruelly...sure, the Dodgers were swept by the Mets, but an NLDS sweep is easier to take than a crushing NLCS Game 7 loss...
I WOULD NOT have had to see the best years of high school baseball fandom go up in smoke not once, or twice, but THREE STRAIGHT YEARS...
I WOULD NOT have had to sit through the constant string of injuries because, of course, in a job-depleted economy, we can't seem to hire competent medical staff...
I WOULD NOT have had Jerry Manuel ever be the manager of my team, and I'd count that as a great plus indeed...
I WOULD NOT have had to know Oliver Perez as "Ollie" and become too-too-familiar with his "pitching style" of walks, hits, more walks, more hits, and out the door...
I WOULD NOT have had to see Luis Castillo drop that ball (and see it while getting turned down for a waiter job, no less, for double the pain)...
I WOULD NOT have had to see Carlos and Jose lost, and now face losing David as well, and all semblance of even the slightest hint the Wilpons cared...
I WOULD NOT have the MLB equivalent of a Dan Snyder as the owner of my team, at least not with McCourt out and Magic in...

Why, Mike?

For as much as I love the Mets in what I can only assume is baseball's version of Stockholm Syndrome...

If you'd never left the Dodgers, if you'd stayed with Big Blue...OH! might I be a happier fan, Mike Piazza?

Would the Braves many wins not kill me as much?
Would the Phillies showing the Mets up in their Rivalry not bother me?
Would I even care that the Marlins ruined the last real playoff shot the Mets had, the last game at Shea, and that Jose Reyes wears #7 for them now?
Would the Nationals--THE NATIONALS!--and their upstart season and repeated bulldozing of the Mets not matter to me?
Would I be able to take in a Dodger game like a normal Los Angelino and not just root for the other team the whole time?
Would I even be able to enjoy the Yankees winning those 5 World Series titles and 7 trips total in my lifetime?

And my years seem to cruelly enough be tied to my team's fate...

June 1st the Mets were on fire and I looked like I was finally going to be able to land that steady job I've been trying to get since I started college...

Here's August, and it's been a summer of near-misses...the Mets fail to get out of the inning against the Nats or blow a save, and the interview nets nothing or never comes.

Why, Mike?

I loved you as a kid, still do, still hope to see you go in as a Met next year...

But sometimes I do have to wonder...if the Dodgers had just kept from pulling the trigger...if they'd just waited and let their heads cool and not deal the best hitting catcher of this generation, arguably of all-time, 3,000 miles away, before he was then dealt right up the coast...up the coast!

Imagine THAT, if Mike had to be dealt, but stayed a Marlin...why, I'd at least have had 2003! 2003, a WS win, and against the Yankees...less history and no games to watch on DVD quite yet, but I'd have seen and rooted for an actual World Series-winning team...a team that would have beaten the YANKEES...a team that now has Jose Reyes!

...

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

I apologize...I have a rather SEVERE case, you see...one exacerbated by a 14th-place finish by my Ducks and a fumbled shot at the Super Bowl by my Niners, no doubt...

[mandrake]

Think about what he said. He's basically saying he'd take less money to go elsewhere.

I'm thinking his representatives aren't dumb. This is a sort of preemptive public relations strike for when the Wilpons try to browbeat him into a hometown discount. He's probably expecting the Wilpons to not make a serious offer and then try to blame him for not taking it, like they did with Reyes. Wright changes the debate by making this statement and blocks off the likely Wilpon strategy. It's a tactical move: I'm sure Wright knows they won't improve the team.

Most of us that are honest with ourselves know what the Wilpons' objectives are: to trot out the cheapest team possible while pocketing SNY money and moving forward with the Willets Point project. Their only real objective regarding Wright is to finesse the situation so they don't take a further hit in viewership or ticket sales. Resigning him won't increase ticket sales. This statement puts pressure on the Wilpons to improve the team, while making it much harder for them to paint him as a villain. It should also make the charade Alderson's selling more apparent to those that still find it credible.

I predict the Wilpons will let him go while Alderson continues to lie about long term strategy aimed at winning. The question is, will they dare do it before the end of next season? I can see it costing a couple hundred thousand or more in attendance if he leaves.

My prediction is the Mets watch Wright go to free agency and sign with the Dodgers or Yankees for HUGE money that they can't or won't match.

Here's another prediction: if Wright signs with the Yankees, he plays there 10 years, ends up with 500 carer hrs, hits .300 lifetime, and wins 2-3 WS and goes to Cooperstown. Oh, he'll pass all of that up, right?

[Ralf]

I largely agree with Mongoose. If Wright was smart (and we know he is), he would actually leave at the end of this deal. This organization is going nowhere with the Wilpons at the helm and he is wasting his talent here. The difference is he's doing it for completely different reasons than someone like Reyes who left because South Beach is flashy like him and they paid him the most money. Anyone with any sense about them knows that is the worst franchise in baseball (Mets a close second).

[Strawman]

Yeah I think it's now less than 50/50 that Wright stays. I think he at least wants to test free agency and frankly should. Most likely destination? It's a guess, I'd say the Dodgers too.

[mandrake]

Yeah I think it's now less than 50/50 that Wright stays. I think he at least wants to test free agency and frankly should. Most likely destination? It's a guess, I'd say the Dodgers too.

I just came back from LA and Dodgers Stadium. There are a lot of Dodgers blogs that all have David Wright in their sites. Fans talk about it , the press mentions it, the new owners want to win and win soon. The Angels have stolen headlines by signing free agents; they have drawn over 3 million fans 9 straight years.

New Dodger owners want to reclaim all of the headlines and are willing to spend to do so. We are not talking just millions; the total cost of buying the team, buying and renovating the stadium, and then putting a winner on the field ASAP is a multi-billion dollar investment. Signing players like Wright are a drop in the bucket in their overall plans.

There is a new attitude in Dodger land. Despite a fast start, the fans realize they are a few players short of really contending. I went to a game last Tuesday night; against the Rockies; paid attendance 55,024. (The Mets sold about 28K that same night).

By the way, the Mets are 15th in attendance, just a few hundred above Cincy and Atlanta, who could move past them and put the Mets into 17th. This, in the largest market. The Mets are also 14th in MLB payroll. 10 of the 13 teams ahead of them in payroll are currently contenders.

Exactly why would David Wright stay here?????

[Paulypal]

I think Wright is going to stay here. The Mets, Wilpons etc - if nothing else are no going to let Wright go. They may not do another thing but I am putting retaining Wright at at least 75%.

[mandrake]

I think Wright is going to stay here. The Mets, Wilpons etc - if nothing else are no going to let Wright go. They may not do another thing but I am putting retaining Wright at at least 75%.

With this franchise....if Seaver could go TWICE, then Wright can go once.

Wright is young enough where if he strings together 5-6 great seasons, he could still make the HOF. RCF in Yankee Stadium was made for him ! Dodger Stadium's deepest marked spot is 395.

Who is going to protect David in this line up? Jason Bay? Superstar Ike Davis? Right now, Bay is hitting lower than 4 pitchers !!!! And Davis has been tearing the cover off the ball...his average has zoomed to .215.

How many Mets would make the Yankees, Rangers, Tigers, White Sox, Giants, Dodgers, Nationals, Braves, etc ? Wright, Murphy, Tejada maybe.....

How is Wright going to get protection in this lineup?

[Chuck The Mets Fan!]

Not only do I think his contract should be extended, but I also firmly believe he should be named team Captain.

My heart says this should be the case, logically how could David truly agree to staying with this team knowing that there is really little chance of this team being competitive in David's prime years. The Mets if things go according to plan, he will be past his prime when the Mets supposedly would be relevant again. You could see in his a bats that he's frustrated with this recent collapse, and it just makes you wonder how this team managed to play so well during the first half. Should The Mets let David walk with getting any talent for him, would be the last straw as far my love for this team goes. In the 50+ years of this team's existance, they have managed to alienate every single one of the stars. Reyes shouldn't be made to look like the bad guy when he wasn't even offered a contract. The fans should be booing The Wilpons. Anderson should have traded Reyes if they were going to pull that nonsense.

The right thing would be to trade Wright and get some MLB prospects, because their isn't much MLB ready talent in the Mets system that would warrant Wright re-signing with this Mets team.

Once David is traded, no other Met player will ever wear #5 again.