Mets contemplating an extension for Wright.

[CokeMachineGlow]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/04/mets-considering-long-term-deal-for-wright.html

I really don't know how I feel about this. I feel like trading him while his value is at the highest can net us future pieces better than Wright.

[milladrive]

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

[Paulypal]

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

He needs to turn his career around before I would offer him a dime. He has regressed so much in the last three years that they are burning 15 million a year on sub par performance for the dollar.

[Strawman]

Yeah I agree with Pauly - and if you read that story carefully, it's the same cautious language Alderson used - most off the record but it's him - with Reyes. This "we'll see how he plays" and all the business about this front office group needing to see Wright play feel like greasing the skids to get him out of here.

I actually disagree with Milla on Wright: I think naming him captain adds to the crushing "face of the franchise" pressure he's clearly - at least to me - not able to excel under. And I like Wright, and hope he stays. But he'd be better with an exciting extrovert in the lineup, so that David can ride shotgun ... not drive.

[Shea Knight]

I'd wait for him to finish the year, or at least get deeper in--

If he comes back and keeps hitting the way he began the season, I say keep him, for better or worse, he's sort of the standard bearer for the Mets of this age:

Was great from 2006-08, and saw open thing after another--injuries, managers come and go, Citi Field's ridiculous layout, injuries, the Madoff scandal, injuries, inept trainers, leads blown, not to mention injuries--go wrong in 2009-11.

If he plays well this year, I say keep him.

If not...

[Strawman]

Will Wright Stay or Will Wright Go?

Will Wright stay or will he go now?

This will be the central personnel decision of the 2012 season, the mirror image to the intrigue around Wright's other Glimmer Twin from the era of Mets history just ending, Jose Reyes.

The always-incisive Howard Megdal sees some very similar signs and verbiage around the Wright situation regarding injuries, the phony wait-and-see Alderson attitude on extending Wright, and the general vibe of the situation. This part in particular reminded me of the slow-motion trashing Alderson and Co. did on Reyes with the fan base:

The point isn't that the Mets don't have the right to hope their players return to the field. But the organization continues to both feed the sympathetic members of the press internal doubts about their players, damaging reputations in the process, while failing to provide cover to their players so they can make intelligent decisions about returning.

Which, by the way, is not only in the interest of the player, but of the team as well.

Ultimately, this public pressure on two fronts with Wright could be about either of two goals. The Mets could be so intent on getting Wright back, along with the box office draw he represents, that they have prioritized this over making sure his pinky is healthy. Or they finally see an opening to go after the reputation of a player who is loved by the fans ahead of any decision to ultimately trade him or, more likely, simply fail to retain him once his contract is up.

The Mets hold a 2013 team option on him for $16 million. Damage Wright in the fans' eyes, and the decision to bring him back, or not, could result in less public backlash. Asking whether Wright is a good long-term investment, and using his injury history as part of that evaluation, is a perfectly legitimate question. Doing so publicly, while Wright decides how to go about his recovery, isn't that evaluation. It's disparagement, for one reason or another.

As Megdal suggests, we've seen this movie before. And it's all about saving money for the Wilpons. Full story here.

[Ralf]

Stay. He's not Reyes, he'll show a level of loyalty and class that will make the negotiations for an extention go smoother imo.

[Strawman]

Stay. He's not Reyes, he'll show a level of loyalty and class that will make the negotiations for an extention go smoother imo.

If he shows Reyes' level of loyalty and class he'll be in David Wright territory. I believe Alderson's greasing the skids.

[EasilyFound]

Stay. He's not Reyes, he'll show a level of loyalty and class that will make the negotiations for an extention go smoother imo.

He will go to the team that pays him the most. Quite simple. It won't be the Mets. I assume this is his walk year, although I don't know for sure. Figures he is off to a hot start and will prolly have a great walk year, perhaps even spurred ironically enough by the alterations to Citi Field that made it more hitter-friendly for him.

[milladrive]

I think he likes being the elder statesman of a very young team. I think he'll remain a Met.

:twocents:

[EasilyFound]

It is the rare player who doesn't take the money. Hometown fans always think there are non-monetary reasons why their player won't enter the free market and take the money. Some players stay put and don't get what they can on the open market, but those players are really the exception to the rule. I can't blame those who go for the money. If I were a player, I would take all I can get as soon as I can. Wright and Reyes signed multi-year contracts early in their careers. We saw what happened with Reyes. The odd overwhelmingly are that Wright will do the same.

[Ralf]

He will go to the team that pays him the most. Quite simple. It won't be the Mets. I assume this is his walk year, although I don't know for sure. Figures he is off to a hot start and will prolly have a great walk year, perhaps even spurred ironically enough by the alterations to Citi Field that made it more hitter-friendly for him.

I think you totally underestimate Wright's character. He's not Reyes - someone who is entirely driven by getting the most money. Wright will settle for a reasonable contract here.

[Jgweiss]

Trading him shouldn't be an option, like I thought could have been with Jose. I think the team needs to go after him aggressively, because it is a move that not only would look like, but actually BE a great sign of stability and commitment. This is a guy the Mets drafted and have ridden out with through his first big contract and an all star career. To follow through on the ideal playing career, and signing him until retirement would be huge for the overall psyche and health of a lot of people in the organization.

Aside from all that, I would be very disappointed if they moved murph to 2B for half a year, just to trade wright and move him to 3B. Would not be fair or right to a fry vocal leader and great hitter.

Jose was always attracted to Miami, and they wanted him more than we ever could. I believe that, in good times and bad, the Mets want David Wright as much as or more than any team.

Of course, there are a lot of circumstances that could blow this thought up, but that's what I got for now.

[EasilyFound]

I think you totally underestimate Wright's character. He's not Reyes - someone who is entirely driven by getting the most money. Wright will settle for a reasonable contract here.

Are you saying that a player who signs with a team willing to pay the most money has less character? Or a bad character? If so, I don't agree with that premise.

Obviously, time will tell. We'll see if Wright tests the open market and, if he does, how much less he takes to remain a Met. If he signs an extension, we can all speculate about how much money he gave up by not testing the market.

But if he does sign for less, I don't agree that it will be because Wright is a person of character, whatever that word means in this context. It will be because the contract signed satisfies his self-interest, however he defines it.

And since you used Wright and Reyes in your yin-yang character comparison, let me ask how Reyes' signing with the Marlins translate into a showing of some lesser character. He signed for significantly more money for a team that appeared to have a brighter future.

Don't you think Ernie Banks' would have loved to chose where to play and how much to earn?

[Strawman]

I think you totally underestimate Wright's character. He's not Reyes - someone who is entirely driven by getting the most money. Wright will settle for a reasonable contract here.

It's quite strange how you believe Wright has more "character" than Reyes - I don't see it. They're both pro baseball players. And even if they both have tremendous character, that has nothing to do with playing for one professional baseball team over another.

Let me state the obvious - Jose Reyes has as much "character" as David Wright when it comes to playing baseball with enthusiasm for fans who pay money to see a game.