When will David Wright retire?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Maybe this poll will survive as long as the one that I started after the 2011 season, concerning how many games Jose Reyes would play over the course of his contract.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm the one 2017 vote so far. I don't know if that means I'm being optimistic or pessimistic.

[Centerfield]

I have the same vote. 2017.

I think this year will be pretty unsuccessful. I think in the winter of 2016-2017 they will try a new routine, or some other strengthening exercise that they will hope make 2017 a different story. It won't be.

I think within a year from now, we'll all be rooting for him to sit out long periods of time so the Mets can recoup insurance money, and by the end of 2017 David's pride will cause him to retire rather than look foolish for the remainder of his contract.

But that is a lot of money for David to walk away from. How does the insurance work?

Can David just sit on the 60 day DL until 2020 and collect his money while the Mets collect a portion of it from insurance?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Centerfield wrote: But that is a lot of money for David to walk away from. How does the insurance work? Can David just sit on the 60 day DL until 2020 and collect his money while the Mets collect a portion of it from insurance?

That depends on whether Wright himself took out insurance on his inability to complete his contract. And if so, we'd then need to know the terms and conditions of the policy to determine whether and when Wright could collect if he's forced to retire from health/injuries before his contract ends.

We already know that the Wilpons took out insurance on Wright's contract.

[Guest cooby]

I said after his contract. Ever hopeful, but bad backs hurt

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: We already know that the Wilpons took out insurance on Wright's contract.

but not the terms and deets. and it's often not possible for the last few years.

I know he's dropped to only 9 percent better than an average player this year, but hell I'm not wishing he'd sit out.

Also where's the "Plays through his contract thanks to the NL adopting the DH" option?

[Guest themetfairy]

It is so painful watching him this season, especially in the field.

I don't think he's going to make it through the season.

I can't find the exact quote, but in speaking about his upcoming retirement Vin Scully said that he never wanted to be that guy who was holding on past his prime - he didn't want to be remembered that way. I think those words will hit home for David before the season is out.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: We already know that the Wilpons took out insurance on Wright's contract. but not the terms and deets. and it's often not possible for the last few years.

That's right. We know some of the terms. But we don't know if those terms carried over beyond last season.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I took after this season. His number will be retired in July next year.

[batmagadanleadoff]

If you choose "After the 2016 season" you're guaranteed to get it right no matter when Wright retires, so long as he makes it to the end of this season.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I think ya know what it means, Mr Semanticpants!

[batmagadanleadoff]

d'Kong76 wrote: I think ya know what it means, Mr Semanticpants!

Oh c'mon. You and Grimm write computer code. Youse should appreciate that "jest".

[Guest d'Kong76]

I do, I'm playing!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

If nothing else, he'll stick around through another year of contention on sheer will, even if it's as a White Julio Franco.

I don't know, though; it might be much, much longer, diminishing returns or no. Any time he's sat/stepped away, it's been in the service of long-term career interest, right? So... you don't think he'll do anything-- ANYTHING--to rage against the dying of that light, ESPECIALLY during a "window" for which he's been waiting since '06-'07?

[TransMonk]

Agreed with LWFS...I think David sticks around as long as they contend even if it means he has a diminished role.

He stuck with the team through the leanest of years to get to this point...I can't imagine him walking away. Carried away on a stretcher? Maybe.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I really don't think he'll be playing in 2021.

[MFS62]

The face of the franchise is a grimace. As has been pointed out in a previous thread about his illness, it doesn't get better with time or treatment. Treatment and his pre-game regimen (have not seen any details other than it takes two hours to "get ready" for a game) can only serve to ease the pain. But I feel there will come a point that the pain is too great for him to continue to play, even occasionally. And I also feel at the end of the season he and the Mets will sit down and renegotiate his contract. He will retire and the terms of the new contract will have him stay on with the Mets in an advisory/ front office capacity and the remaining portion of his contract will be spread out over a long term (15-25 years?).
A win-win-win. He retires gracefully, it frees up a lot of near term money for the Mets to use for other players and the fans get to see the face of the franchise from time to time.

Later

[Chad ochoseis]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: But that is a lot of money for David to walk away from. How does the insurance work? Can David just sit on the 60 day DL until 2020 and collect his money while the Mets collect a portion of it from insurance? That depends on whether Wright himself took out insurance on his inability to complete his contract. And if so, we'd then need to know the terms and conditions of the policy to determine whether and when Wright could collect if he's forced to retire from health/injuries before his contract ends. We already know that the Wilpons took out insurance on Wright's contract.

The best article I could find on insuring contracts is this one:

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/05/Issue-162/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/MLB-Teams-Insure-Long-Term-Deals-To-Protect-From-Player-Injury.aspx.

This one is long-winded and has some BS in it, but sounds logical as far as the discussion of Wright:

http://metsmerizedonline.com/2013/02/understanding-the-business-of-baseball-insurance-on-player-contracts.html/

Wright gets paid by the Mets unless he does what his buddy Michael Cuddyer did and voluntarily retires before the contract expires. If he's injured, he can go on the 60-day, which I believe means that (a) he collects his full salary; ( he doesn't take up a roster spot on the 40; and © from the above articles, chances are that the Mets don't collect anything, because they likely had to renew their policy in 2016 and the renewed policy likely had exclusions for Wright's pre-existing conditions, including the spinal stenosis.

[Benjamin Grimm]

David Wright has enough money to last the rest of his life. His future children may also be set for life. Sure, if he were to retire after 2016 he'd be leaving, what, $80 million on the table? But those might be four miserable years if he decides to keep playing. Three hours, maybe eventually four hours, of preparation each day so he could go 0 for 5. Or pinch hit in the sixth inning. If it plays out that way, I can see him deciding that it's not worth the aggravation and the embarrassment.

I remember thinking (and speculating here in the forum) the same thing about Jason Bay, but of course it never happened with Bay. But it has happened with Cuddyer, so it's no longer unprecedented. The big difference, at this point, is that Wright has more years ahead of him and more money coming to him, but the principle is the same. At what point is it no longer worth it?

[Edgy MD]

Sheesh, are we all so certain of a future of unending futility from this point forward?

[Benjamin Grimm]

No, I'm not certain. I'm still hoping he has a surge or two left in him for this year. But I do think that each year is going to be tougher on him and less productive than the preceding year. There's likely a lot of downward spiral ahead over the next four and 3/4 seasons.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Chad Ochoseis wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: Wright gets paid by the Mets unless he does what his buddy Michael Cuddyer did and voluntarily retires before the contract expires. If he's injured, he can go on the 60-day, which I believe means that (a) he collects his full salary; ( he doesn't take up a roster spot on the 40; and (c) from the above articles, chances are that the Mets don't collect anything, because they likely had to renew their policy in 2016 and the renewed policy likely had exclusions for Wright's pre-existing conditions, including the spinal stenosis.

Yeah, we were speculating on what could happen if Wright retires. It's uncharacteristic of Wright, but hypothetically, if Wright were to reach the point where he could no longer play at the major league level, and by that I mean replacement level, but refused to retire -- he'd be sticking it to the Mets because (I assume without looking it up) Wright's contract is guaranteed. The Mets aren't obligated to pay him if he quits/retires in mid-contract, but if Wright doesn't ....

[Zvon]

Ugh, was thinking about this last night. I don't want to think about it right now. After the game.

[Zvon]

My biggest fear is a sudden retirement. Like one day next week he says, nope, I can't do it any more. That would really floor me. Ugh, this sounds very stupid but I'd rather see him in there giving us whatever he has left as opposed to any other scenario (that doesn't involve a fantasy). So I'll watch his decline gracefully with respect.

It'll be hard sometimes, to watch, but behind that I know this is very hard on him, so I temper my feelings with care.

[Ceetar]

Zvon wrote: My biggest fear is a sudden retirement. Like one day next week he says, nope, I can't do it any more. That would really floor me. Ugh, this sounds very stupid but I'd rather see him in there giving us whatever he has left as opposed to any other scenario (that doesn't involve a fantasy). So I'll watch his decline gracefully with respect. It'll be hard sometimes, to watch, but behind that I know this is very hard on him, so I temper my feelings with care.

he was arguing himself into the game on Tuesday, so I can't see that happening.

[Lefty Specialist]

MFS62 wrote: The face of the franchise is a grimace.

Exactly right. And it's hard to watch.

David has a burning desire to play. An article in Men's Health detailed his regimen, and it made me tired just reading it.

But backs just don't get better. At some point it just won't be worth it. I think he'll try to play the 2017 season at a reduced capacity, but that'll be it.

[Frayed Knot]

As I pointed out the in a similar discussion a few days ago (about Wright in general but not specifically about retirement) this "reduced capacity" of which we speak is, counting the approx half-season worth of ABs amassed during the tail-end of last year plus the beginning of this one, a slash-line of .260/.372/.419 (OPS+ of 119) with about 18 HRs & 30 doubles over a 500 AB span.

Reduced as compared to younger David Wright? - Sure
Indicative of someone ready to be put out to pasture? - Not yet anyway

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: As I pointed out the in a similar discussion a few days ago (about Wright in general but not specifically about retirement) this "reduced capacity" of which we speak is, counting the approx half-season worth of ABs amassed during the tail-end of last year plus the beginning of this one, a slash-line of .260/.372/.419 with about 18 HRs & 30 doubles over a 500 AB span. Reduced as compared to younger David Wright? - Sure Indicative of someone ready to be put out to pasture? - Not yet anyway

but he's like 2 for his last 20, clearly he's done now right?

flash forward to a month from now after he's hit 6 home runs and has a .405 OBP.

but he's like 3 for his last 24, clearly he's done now right? He just _looks_ done.

[G-Fafif]

If they win it all in 2016, I could see him pulling a Cuddyer ("there's life after baseball, Dave," his buddy will text him), but I can't see him not trying, trying and trying some more to keep going into next year, maybe treating it as the year after the year after and now everything will be easier.

Darryl's HR record may endure.

[Edgy MD]

Except, every player ever has sucked at one point over 24 at-bats. Some have been done at that point, but most have not been.

This is true of Wright any number of times. I loathe to draw broad conclusions every time. That's living at armageddon's edge.