Mets Likely to Offer Wright a Long-Term Deal

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Wall Street Journal wrote: Mets Likely to Offer Wright a Long-Term Deal By BRIAN COSTA MIAMI -- The Mets waved goodbye to one franchise player last winter. They are not about to lose another, at least not without making an aggressive push to re-sign him. The team is quietly preparing to offer third baseman David Wright a long-term contract extension at some point later this year -- perhaps as soon as this summer -- according to a baseball official briefed on the Mets' thinking. The Mets hold a $16 million option to retain Wright for 2013, so there is no urgency for them to begin discussing an extension with his representatives. But they are likely to do so before next winter, the official said, because if they cannot reach an agreement, the Mets would have to consider trading him in the offseason. General manager Sandy Alderson is still assessing Wright's long-term value, and no decision has been made on either the terms or the timing of any offer. But it has become increasingly likely that Wright, 29, will remain a Met for years to come. Alderson declined to comment on any potential contract negotiations Sunday. But he all but ruled out trading Wright this summer. "I certainly do not foresee, under any circumstances, David being a topic of discussion at the trade deadline," Alderson said. After going 1 for 3 in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Marlins, Wright leads the National League in both batting average (.400) and on-base percentage (.489). Just as Jose Reyes did a year ago, Wright has repeatedly expressed a desire to remain with the Mets long-term. But several factors make that more likely to happen than it was with Reyes, who signed a $106 million deal with Miami. The Mets always believed Reyes would sign with whichever team offered him the most money. They are optimistic that Wright's affinity for New York will play a greater role in negotiations with him. Also, whereas Reyes was on the cusp of free agency a year ago, the option on Wright's contract effectively means he won't become a free agent until after next season. According to the official briefed on their thinking, the Mets are hopeful that by committing to Wright potentially up to a year and a half before he would reach free agency, they'll be able to secure a more favorable deal. Still, to keep Wright in New York, it might take an offer similar to the six-year, $100 million extension the Washington Nationals recently gave third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Wright's agent did not return a call for comment. But the Mets are more motivated to keep Wright than they were with Reyes, if only because with Reyes, they knew they still had an iconic player in Wright. Now, Wright stands alone as the face of the franchise.

[Ceetar]

believe it when I see it.

[Edgy MD]

What's to disbelieve? You don't think they're going to make an offer?

Tim McCarver said there was no way this could happen.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: What's to disbelieve? You don't think they're going to make an offer? Tim McCarver said there was no way this could happen.

it's all machinations until his name is on the piece of paper. Until then, i'm just gonna watch the games.

[ashie62]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: What's to disbelieve? You don't think they're going to make an offer? Tim McCarver said there was no way this could happen. it's all machinations until his name is on the piece of paper. Until then, i'm just gonna watch the games.

You still want Reyes back.

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: What's to disbelieve? You don't think they're going to make an offer? Tim McCarver said there was no way this could happen. it's all machinations until his name is on the piece of paper. Until then, i'm just gonna watch the games. You still want Reyes back.

no, i'm just THRILLED with Ronny Cedeno.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: What's to disbelieve? You don't think they're going to make an offer? Tim McCarver said there was no way this could happen. it's all machinations until his name is on the piece of paper. Until then, i'm just gonna watch the games.

So I'm still unsure what you're disbelieving.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He's just being a pessimist, as always.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He's just being a pessimist, as always.

lol

lock him up now dammit

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He's just being a pessimist, as always.

basically.

Luckily Wright's not anywhere near as close to free agency as Reyes was, so there is no counter-offer/other option. Yet.

[G-Fafif]

Attendance this week has been less than middling, each game announced in the low 20,000s (looking like considerably less on TV). Unhelpful weather Monday and Tuesday -- though that doesn't speak to advance sales -- but beautiful night last night, the team playing exciting ball of late for the most part, Johan pitching and David scorching...yet 22,000 despite value-date pricing. (Yes, local hockey playoffs are in progress and school isn't out, but the Mets have attracted large crowds on similar May nights before; and such circumstances don't bother Red Sox and Phillie fans.)

I bring this up because though it's early and perceptions take time to catch up to reality for the gate to feel a positive impact, it's not like Mets fans are busting down doors to see their homegrown hero in all his glory. It was more or less the same deal last year when Jose was having the season of his (and, in a way, the franchise's) life and for all the coverage of the guy holding the Don't Trade Jose sign, there didn't seem to be an attendance groundswell on Reyes's behalf. There's more to a star player's popular appeal than how 'x' number of dates draw (never mind impact on the team's long-term competitive fortunes), but when a potentially monster contract is being weighed, I can't imagine it won't enter somebody's mind across the table from David's representatives that, sure, your boy had a great season, but his drawing power is negligible.

Or in Branch Rickey terms, we finished 12th in league attendance with you, we can finish 12th without you.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Luckily Wright's not anywhere near as close to free agency as Reyes was, so there is no counter-offer/other option. Yet.

It's not really luck.

[Benjamin Grimm]

N.Y. Daily News wrote: Sandy Alderson wanted to set the record straight on Tuesday night. Responding to an Internet report quoting the GM as confirming the Mets will offer David Wright a contract extension, Alderson, after Tuesday�s 6-3 victory over the Phillies, delivered this message: �I think what I�ve said in that regard is that we�ll talk to (Wright�s) agent sometime this season,� Alderson said. �I don�t want to infer that we will make an offer, that we won�t make an offer. We expect to talk to his agent this season certainly. But I don�t want to answer that question for 20 or 30 other people. We expect to talk to the agent this year. I can�t exactly foresee what will take place, but that�s as far as I�ve gone at this point.� Wright, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI, can become a free agent after the season (there is a $16 million club option for 2013). Alderson clarified that discussions with Wright�s agent won�t necessarily facilitate an offer. �We can talk about a lot of things that would come up short of an offer,� Alderson said. �And I�m not trying to suggest that we�re going to make one or not make one or what-have-you. I�ve said we�d like to have David here long term. I stand by that statement. But I just want to make sure the record is clear.�

[metirish]

I need a code breaker to decipher this

[code:3b7g93ai]�We can talk about a lot of things that would come up short of an offer,� Alderson said. �And I�m not trying to suggest that we�re going to make one or not make one or what-have-you. I�ve said we�d like to have David here long term. I stand by that statement. But I just want to make sure the record is clear.�[/code:3b7g93ai]

is it any clearer now, the record I mean?

[Ceetar]

it's really a message to reporters "This is what I have to say on the matter. bugger off and stop calling me about it."

[Gwreck]

G-Fafif wrote: I can't imagine it won't enter somebody's mind across the table from David's representatives that, sure, your boy had a great season, but his drawing power is negligible.

I don't buy this argument, and I doubt David's agents will either.

The downward trend of attendance is due to a confluence of factors, including:

1. Poor overall team performance for three consecutive seasons (following two seasons of "collapses");
2. (Over)pricing problems;
3. Fan apathy/anger at Wilpons.

Plus, it's pretty clear that David being on the team gives Mets a better chance to win games. Nothing will fix the attendance problem better than consistent winning (no, a good two months to start this year does not qualify).

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm one of the biggest Mets fans any of you guys know and I didn't feel like they deserved my ticket-buying support till just last week. And yes, its because the Wilpons are fuckups whose contempt for the franchise and fans has been exposed. Let's see how long they can still pay bills when they let Wright walk. Try us, you fucks.

[Edgy MD]

Wright wron't wralk.

[Gwreck]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm one of the biggest Mets fans any of you guys know and I didn't feel like they deserved my ticket-buying support till just last week.

Why last week?

I went from a >40 game/year attendee to basically nothing this year. I am going Friday, but that's for Carlos. Making a long-term commitment to Wright might make me reconsider for 2013.

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm one of the biggest Mets fans any of you guys know and I didn't feel like they deserved my ticket-buying support till just last week. And yes, its because the Wilpons are fuckups whose contempt for the franchise and fans has been exposed. Let's see how long they can still pay bills when they let Wright walk. Try us, you fucks.

Starting the negotiations is about as obvious as remembering to pay the electric bill for your heart/ lung machine.
Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Gwreck wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm one of the biggest Mets fans any of you guys know and I didn't feel like they deserved my ticket-buying support till just last week. Why last week? I went from a >40 game/year attendee to basically nothing this year. I am going Friday, but that's for Carlos. Making a long-term commitment to Wright might make me reconsider for 2013.

I like that they were hanging in there, that's all, plus the weather is warmer. It's been [crossout]10[/crossout] 15 years since I waited so long to break a cherry; usually I'm bundled up at the first April night game. But I was never a season-ticket buyer you like crazy people.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Guest

[Vic Sage]

I'm taking Vic Jr tonight, but only because its part of a school outing. I haven't bought any other Tix this year, nor last year, and its for a few reasons:

- I don't like CitiField. Yes, its pretty and the food is better, but the view from the cheaper seats suck worse than Shea and the good seats are too expensive (not to mention overpriced parking/merch/food).

- I don't like the Wilpons and their management; their shady dealings cast a shadow over the franchise and their Dodgerphilia taints their perception of team history;

- I don't like the trend of the team's performance since Beltran watched strike 3.

- I have better things to do with my money,

- And, as i've gotten older, the live experience of dealing with remote parking, traffic, crowds, long lines, price gauging, and drunken assholes has grown considerably less charming, and so I'm content to watch them on my big screen TV.

the only reason i buy tix at all anymore is that my kids like to go once in a while, so i take them when the opportunity arises. That being said, they'd be devastated if Wright left (my daughter wears "5" on her HS team jersey), and i wouldn't be surprised if, after losing Reyes, that wasn't the last straw for them.

[seawolf17]

I saw a story (Jayson Stark?) recently that said basically that there was no reason in the world for Wright to sign, so the Mets can try all they want, but he ain't signing. Since then, I've put the Wright contract situation out of my mind.

But dammit, Sandy, you gotta get this fuckin' guy signed. Ten years, $300 million, 25% of the team, and you rename it Wright Field. I don't care. Just fucking sign the guy.

[Edgy MD]

seawolf17 wrote: I saw a story (Jayson Stark?) recently that said basically that there was no reason in the world for Wright to sign, so the Mets can try all they want, but he ain't signing.

That's kind of silly, don't you think?

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: seawolf17 wrote: I saw a story (Jayson Stark?) recently that said basically that there was no reason in the world for Wright to sign, so the Mets can try all they want, but he ain't signing. That's kind of silly, don't you think?

sounds a bit stark to me.

[Vic Sage]

I might understand Stark if Wright was playing out his option, but there are all kinds of reasons for him to sign now rather than later. If he gets no extension, he's locked in here for 1 more year at $16m, so he can't play out his current deal for a while, during which he is getting paid less than his current market value for this and next year; and in the meantime:
- he could revert to CitiField Dave;
- he could suffer significant injury;
- he could get traded or otherwise purged in more Wilponian cost-cutting;
- he could get caught with a dead school girl in his trunk;
- or "other"

Frankly, the BEST time to lock in on a long-term deal is when your hitting .375

I would think that Sandy's best strategy is to wait till the off-season, pick up the option, and THEN start negotiating a "blend and extend" deal in the 6yr/$110m range (assuming Wright finishes the season as strongly as he's begun it). There's no advantage to the Mets for him to "buy high" on David.

[seawolf17]

Ten years, $350 million. DO IT, SANDY.

[Ceetar]

As if Jayson Stark has any credibility.

[ashie62]

Wouldn't it make more sense for David to do this while healthy?

Then again, no predicting what Wilpon wants to do, probably wait too long and blow it.

[Edgy MD]

...which is a prediction.