5
2010
Are We Living On Borrowed Time With David Wright?
An article by 
It was a good day. We scored a run in the bottom of the 8th to defeat Montreal 5-4, reached .500 and now trailed the first place Phillies by just 3. Orber Moreno picked up the W in relief and Braden Looper collected his 20th save. Batting 7th that day was a rookie 3bman named David Wright. He went 0-for-4.
Since July 21, 2004, David has moved up in the batting order and 0-fers have given way to some great numbers.
In 6 years David Wright has already assumed his position amongst the elite hitters in our history. Through August 3rd David is 5th all-time in Runs (609), 4th in HR’s (157), 3rd in SLG and OBP (517 and 387 respectively). His 308 career BA is 2nd in team history. He has 1101 hits and may move up to 2nd by the end of this season. At just 27 years old, 3000 hits is not out of the question. He has already become our team leader in doubles with 250. And by next summer, David will be our all-time leader in RBI’s.
When you think of the Yankees you think Jeter. When you think of the Cardinals you think Pujols. And when you think of the Mets you think David Wright.
As the Mets steamrolled over the NLE in 06, David signed a contract extension. “I have wanted to be a lifelong Met,” he said, “And this is the first step in that direction.” But he also said, “To know I’m going to be a Met for the next 6 or 7 years is special.” 6 or 7 years, David? Not any more?
We hate to admit it but Baseball is a business. But it’s a business of winning. Players sign long term contracts worth tens, sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition to the financial reward, they also seek something money cant buy: A World Series ring. Even our own players such as Beltran and Santana came to NY not only due to the contract, but to play for a winner. At that time, the Mets were heading in the right direction.
However things have changed. Since Beltran and Johan were brought in–and since David signed his extension–we seem to be heading in the wrong direction. A devastating Game 7 loss, two historical late-season collapses, an abysmal 2009 and a 2010 season where we are at 500.
This is all hypothetical, of course. No one knows what the rest of this season will bring, much less 2011 or 2012. And of course, no one has any idea what David’s mindset is–or will be.
But unless we change direction and start winning, it’s difficult to imagine anyone wanting to stay here long term. This past winter Giants catcher Bengie Molina accepted less money to stay away, knowing full well that Buster Posey would soon be taking his job. Molina’s refusal to play for the Mets may just be the first sign of things to come.
Before we realize it the 2012 season will be here and we will be talking about locking up Wright with a long-term deal. But if the Mets continue down this woeful path it’s hard to picture David wanting to remain a Met.
He will be 30 years old Opening Day 2013. If this club continues to flounder, if we are continuing to struggle with dissension, if we are still second guessing managers, general managers and ownership, if we are falling out of pennant races in July, why would David want to spend what remains of his most productive years on a team such as this?
Maybe by 2013, David will grow tired of being pressured to assume a ‘leadership’ role he is clearly not comfortable with. Maybe by 2013, he will grow tired of post-game interviews where reporters run to him for the latest in a long line of excuses. Maybe, just maybe, unless things change, he wont want to grow old in a Mets uniform and be the cornerstone of a team that is rebuilding around him.
For several seasons, we have questioned when Wright will ‘take charge’ and assume the leadership role? But he probably never will. Some athletes have that ability. Some do not. But that doesn’t matter. Leadership is not a pre-requisite for a Hall of Fame career
The clock is ticking. With each game we come closer to the end of his contract. And come closer to his possible departure. David Wright vacating New York and leaving this organization would have just as negative an impact as the discarding of Tom Seaver. It was over three decades ago when our beloved Seaver grew tired of the direction–or lack thereof–this team was taking.
To Mets ownership, I plead with you. Do something. Do something now. Give us a winner. Don’t let history repeat itself. Lets not bid farewell to another ‘Franchise’ player.
About the Author: Rob Silverman
47 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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Write Your Own Mets Post
Tom Seaver wanted to remain a Met. He left because of ownerships’ refusal to redo his contract and a sportswriter named Dick Young who insulted his wife. He was on the verge of staying when the Young article came out. Because of the Mets management jerking him around and the article Tom Seaver asked to be traded. He did not ask to be traded to a winner – he just wanted out of the Mets. The Mets made the best deal they could considering they were over a barrel and certainly did not trade Seaver to a team of his choice.
Just so we are clear on that.
Sorry but I think this article is just speculation and is not based on anything real.
True. This article is COMPLETE speculation, TL. That’s why I even said:
This is all hypothetical, of course. No one knows what the rest of this season will bring, much less 2011 or 2012. And of course, no one has any idea what David’s mindset is–or will be.
If we were playing well–and had been over the past couple seasons, the point would be moot.
And yes, you are right about Dick Young. He was a main reason why Seaver left. However, he was somewhat unhappy cause we had started getting rid of guys: Rusty, Cleon and especially Tug, who was his best friend on the team.
The point I was trying to make is that if things dont change, why would David even want to stay here?
Fair enough Tied. I guess the real question is why do we want to stay here?
But we do, cuz we’re Mets fans. And I hope that David, who grew up in the Norfolk area and has always followed the Mets, wants to be with the Mets.
We are all frustrated. This season had so much promise just a month ago.
Here’s some speculation from me – the Mets played like a team because they knew they had to with Beltran, Murphy and then Castillo out. I think there was some team anxiety about Beltran coming back and how that would effect the chemistry – who would have to sit. That’s why the Mets actually started to fade the week before the All Star game.
Of course, Pelfrey stopped pitching, K-Rod couldn’t get anyone out and Tejeda stopped hitting. And for the most part the Mets as a team stopped hitting.
Look at the bright side, at least this didn’t happen in September.
I wonder if anyone knows the Mets record with Oliver Perez on the team as opposed to when he was on the DL? That dude has some bad karma.
Wright’s leaving having as negative an impact as when Seaver left? Stop sniffing the TieDye big guy. You’re way off on that. If Beltran, Reyes and Wright were traded tomorrow for lesser talents but who were big game players and leaders, I’d be doing cartwheels.
Tom,
It’s almost as if you expect them to perform to your wishful commands. They have given a lot, stop being so selfishly egotistical.
Des, can you be any ruder?
Only when deserved. The comment was over the top.
And who are you to say what is deserved?
It’s my opinion. Do I still have a right to an opinion? Or does only yours count?
Let’s remember MM is a great site and is an open forum for opinions.
Of course you have a right to have an opinion. But that doesn’t mean your opinion has to be rude.
It also means that Tom has a right to his opinion without someone admonishing him.
Tom has written many fine articles and in the past I have made some complimentary remarks.
When an article is written, it is subject to the views and interpretations of readers. I gave my view. I didn’t think it was unduly harsh. You interceded for reasons best understood by you.
If you have a different view, then offer your praise, but it’s foolish to try to stop the views of other readers.
Viewpoints can be stated without sarcasm.
Let’s introduce some new material. This reminds me of a circular firing squad. I’m outta here!
Bye Des.
Are you the polite police?
If you trade Reyes and Wright for lesser players, you they be playing any “big games” regardless of whether or not they are “leaders”.
Reyes and Wright are not perfect, but they are not the problem with this team.
And while the Seaver trade was a major black mark, its not like the Mets were winning left and right with him here either.
Wow I can’t type. What I meant to say was if you are trading Wright and Reyes for inferior players, you aren’t going to be playing in many “big games” at all. Regardless if you bring in the best “leader” out there. The Mets problem isn’t lack of leadership amongst the players, its lack of good players outside of a handful of guys. Reyes and Wright were lousy this series, but the Mets issues go beyond one series. Winning this series wasn’t going to do much. This team has too many flaws and too much dead weight on the roster.
Terif, I’d hope those cartwheels were on quicksand! Personally, I’ve always felt that Fred Wilpon refuses to acquire the type of player u r speaking about. He was perenially embarassed by the ’86ers. rumor iis he was power behind that airplane repair bill for ther celebratrory flight from Houston back to NY that Davey paid after Cashen was ordered to present it. While Fred seems to have distanced himself from ALL; but vetting dinners for perspective F/A signees, I believe as a manner of sizing up their embarassment quotient. Therefore No Manny’s, ever despite ability to carry a team There’s more “THOU SHALL NOTS” in Flushing than in the Vatican.
Come on, name them. A 3B, a SS, and a CF.
I want to see what you come up with to replace those three.
[...] at Mets Merized Online, Tie Dyed talks about how David Wright could be getting tired of playing for a losing team and the Mets organization needs to turn this around, or Wright may leave after [...]
I am not a big David Wright fan and I know as a Met fan that maybe bordering on blasphemy but (although I haven’t seen every game this season) to me he doesn’t perform at the plate in RBI situations. I know the stat guys will throw out a lot of RBI stats but I am telling you what I have seen in the last month in the games I saw. I lost my enthusiasm for this guy when I saw him on the left coast a couple of weeks ago flailing at pitchers and whiffing and striking out. To me he looks horrible at the plate and the only things that saves him from citicism is the rest of the guys are worse. Does anyone else but meet notice that after his tremendous showing in the all star home run derby he has turned into a “dud”. It’s like when they play the highlights of his career after he retires, the home run derby will be it, but that won’t get you close to the Hall of Fame. Done, now my fellow fans can rip me.
Are you the same guy who touts Ike Davis? If you are, David is hitting almost 50 points higher and has more homers. Please don’t give me the “Ike is a rookie” stuff. The National League doesn’t provide training wheels.
Let’s appreciate all our players, even when they go through rough periods.
Yeah, 2007 and 2008 were some awful years for Wright…
Uhhh… his best season was in 2007, the year after the Home Run Derby. And his second best season was probably 2008. Also post-HRD.
He’s been too streaky this yr for my liking and has been striking out too much, but he’s certainly not turned into a “dud”. And he is hitting .295 with RISP this yr….so clearly not terrible in “RBI situations”.
Oh. dear. God.
“I know the science guys will throw out a lot of statistics, but I know what I see with my own eyes, and the Earth isn’t spinning or moving around the Sun.”
David Wright is among the league leaders in RBI this year, playing for a team that has had sub-.300 OBP guys hitting in the 2-hole more than half of the season, and you’re saying Wright sucks b/c according to your eyes, he’s not good in RBI situations? I’m sorry, but you really need to get your eyes checked. I’m not even going to respond to the rest of your comment, b/c it’s obvious you have no idea what you’re talking about.
While watching the next Mets game when Wright comes up I will get on my knees and bow to the East and watch him flail at some pitches and walk back to the dugout with that “what just happened” look, take my seat and wait for next Mets to do whatever they do at the plate. Oh yeah he looked just great at the plate in Atlanta. Sure put the fear of God into those Braves’ pitchers. You can carry all the water you want for David Wright-not me!
You obviously know nothing about baseball, so you’re really not worth responding to. I’ll again simply point out that David Wright is second in the National League in RBI, so clearly you don’t watch very many Mets games if you haven’t seen him driving in runs. RBI is a primitive, almost useless stat, but apparently it’s beyond even your simple grasp, so I’ll simply ask, what if you saw David Wright hit a homerun (which he’s done more than anyone else on the Mets, this season and over the last 5 years): would you completely change your opinion of him, or would you bury your head in the sand and only pop up the next time Wright fails to drive in a run (which happens a lot, not because David Wright isn’t good, but b/c baseball is a game of failure – even Albert Pujols fails to drive in runs more often than he succeeds).
Chris: Please don’t take it personally and no need to question my knowledge of the game. I just am not a fan of this guy, plain and simple. I don’t see him carrying a team on his back like a Derek Jeter, or a Chase Utley. Obviously I only see his BAD at bats and they really look BAD! Sorry , the Mets are a 500 team. I said this and predicted they were a 500 team at the beginning of the season, so I must know something about this team and baseball or where would I have the knowledge to know this, I don’t need to justify my baseball knowledge to you. I am a fan, I don’t make a living at it. I go back a long way with the Mets, back to Marvelous Marv,Tommy Agee, Don Clendenon, Kranepool, Tug Mcgraw,etc,etc,etc. I even saw Willie Mays hit a home run at Shea in a Mets uniform against his old teammates the Giants. No need to impress you, however David Wright in my mind, is nothing special. He blew his wad at the Home Run Derby.sorry.
Lou, if u truly are such a long time fan(just a tad short of my tenure from the very outset) I would truly think u would have a better perspective of NYM history. try to disregard all u believe EWrighth isn’t & only concenmtrate on what he actually is. Arguably one of the best 3B in ther League, if not THE BEST. If u discrad Wright, who do u belive will be secured to play 3B? Hessman?
Who’s next on yuoour hit contract list? Reyes? Arguably, THE BEST ALLAROUND SS IN THE LEAGUE, who replaces him? Tejada? Havens? U know, Lou, when a brick building fails it’s rarely bad bricks; but most often below grade mortar. Let’s improve the cement, not discard the cornerstones. Why is it that despite contolling Pujols. The Cards tend to beat us. Control Howard & Utley Phl have same result despite it. Keep a collar on Chipper, Braves still romp.
The reason, beeter cement named:
MOLINA
SCHUMAKER
RASMUS
DIAZ
McCANN
PRADO
INFANTE
WERTH
VICTORINO
IBANEZ
Where is our equivalants?
MILLDGE?
CHURCH?
FRANCOEUR?
SCHNEIDER?
LoDUCA?
RAMON MARTINEZ?
JESUS FELICIANO?
MURPHY?
No matter the architect or contractor even the most6 gifted artisans have difficulties working with inferior cost-effective materials.
THE FIX?
In my opinion, stop using inferior raw materials(late draft picks, signable draft picks) That’s the OWNER’S DISCRETUOPN/DIRECTION!
THE BIGGEST LIES IN MET HISTYORY IS NOT: “We got fair value in return for Ryan & Seaver” but the biggest whopper of them all was: OMAR HAS AUTONOMY!
McCann is hardly cement
[...] MetsMerizedOnline – How long can we expect David Wright to put up with crappy ownership and losing teams before he skips town? [...]
Bengie Molina did not decide he did not want to come to the Mets. The Mets offered him a one year deal and he wanted more. Thankfully the Mets did not offer him more and thankfully they did not get him period. Believe it or not, things could have been worse.
You guys at Metsmerized are so bipolar its hilarious, i can tell the Mets are doing well when all your posts are about trades we should make and how our team is in such a great spot and you love it, but when they start playing bad its all gloom and doom like this, i mean what would inspire you to write this, unless you had an interview with him and he said so to you?
“This is all hypothetical, of course. No one knows what the rest of this season will bring, much less 2011 or 2012. And of course, no one has any idea what David’s mindset is–or will be.”
He notes that this is purely speculation.
Ya its just that this site gets so pessimistic, look back in june you won’t find one post like this
In all fairness, JOe. you are right. When the team is playing bad, it’s easy to write ‘negative’ blogs. On the flip side, when we are playing well, he optimism comes out in all of us.
Would I have witten something like this 6 weeks ago. No. But the course this team is taking makes you wonder about things.
Yes, this is total speculation.
But let me ask you this: In the summer of 06, the Mets and Wright agreed to a contract extension. Do you think (hypothetically) if the Mets wanted to sign another contract extension with DW now for 6-7 years he would do it??? Probably not.
Would Beltran sign a 7 year deal with us NOW? No.
Would Johan come here NOW with the intention he was coming to play for a winner? NO.
This article is nothing more then ‘something to think about.’
David if you were to ask him would want to stay a Met his whole life because he would believe in the guys around him. Gwynn stayed a Padre his whole life despite going to WS only once so if a player likes where he is and believes that his team could win then why shouldn’t David stay in Flushing.
Core has been thrown around so much that all see apples.
David and Jose and Beltran, when healthy, are the core of this team until Johan came on board.
Look at who the Mets have surrounded the “core” with:
Cliff Floyd, other than taking David under his wing, what did he bring to team.
Delgado, an introvert who was not a leader other than two good years when he was protecting David in batting order was not a core player.
Alou, with paramedics standing by, saw his best years behind him and never really was a steady part of lineup cause of injuries.
Pedro, who other than his first good year was constantly injured.
My point is that other than when Delgado was healthy David did not have any consistency behind him in the order which led to swinging at pitches outside the zone, trying to tie game with HR, etc.
He is a streaky hitter but you can see the hurt in his eyes during his interview yesterday, it is tough when people see you as the face of the team and you have a series like he just did.
Lineup wise, other than David, Jose and Pagan, the Mets have no one that puts the fear in other pitchers. Davis is a wk in progress, doesn’t walk, swings at anything high, Castillo is well Castillo, Beltran is still finding himself and probably will have a great Sept when it won’t matter, catching is hole, RF is in limbo so your core is really David, Jose, Johan and Pagan until Beltran starts to hit.
It is tough to be consistent when you don’t know where in the order you are hitting, who is in the order, your bottom half of the order is a peaceful place for other pitchers.
If Mets are giving up on this season then it is time to cut players, bring in a couple of young vets that are not coming off disabled list, rebuild the BP and bring another hitter, maybe at 2b cause the current complement of players, though nice guys are not getting it done.
Lastly, no way do Mets allow Cora to get the necessary amount of games to allow his vested contract for 2011 to kick in, this is just another great signing by Omar.
I thought we offered Beltran the largest contract? He doesn’t strike me as a guy who enjoys playing in NYC. At all. I seriously doubt “playing for a winner” had anything to do with him coming here.
And Santana had less leverage because it was a trade. He knew the Mets would be one of the few teams able to pay him what he wanted, so the trade made sense for all. Again, coming to a “winner” was not a factor. The Twins are in the playoffs more than the Mets.
I hope we keep Wright, but I wouldn’t care if we traded him for player(s) of equal value. Given the Wilpon’s obsession with image, I would bet that they would lock up Wright for his career.
Then trade him. The guy cannot hit good pitchers. Throw a bum against him and he’s all world. You build a team around him, as we have, you see the results. A fine complementary player, suited for 6th or perhaps second. Not even a clutch fielder….
i dont think he will leave, too big of an impact on this team and fanbase. if he left, the fans will probably want the GM’s head and want the owners out of there by the next day.
I think its time. I Really hate to say it. But barring a miracle, its time to break up the *core*
Wright’s value may never be higher, he turns 28 in December. he finally figured out Citi.
Hes Due (i could be wrong here) 12 mil next year and 13 mil in 2012. theres a team option for 2013. So hes not crazy expensive for a team that needs a 3B. And there arent that many very good 3b. His defense seems to be on the fritz.
We need SP and lots of speed. the only 2 guys that are no trades for me are Davis and Nies. Everyone else is on sale. I’d keep beltran and use him as trade bait at next years deadline. He has very little value right now.
I’d trade Pagan in a min if I got decent value. Hes never going to have higher value. Hes cheap < 3 mil. young 28? and can play all 3 OF spots.
I can get 2 to 3 decent to good prospects (see pitchers) for him.
I dont want to do this but its time (btw I hate agreeing with the yankee homer Mike F on the fan but I dont see a choice)
Scott: agree with you but it is ironic that when you talke about “breaking up the core” it usually refers to a championship team that just won the Super Bowl, the World Series, or NBA title, etc. and the trading and wheeling and dealing comes up because the “stars” will be due a lot of money for resigning and the team can’t afford all of the stars on the team. This certainly ain’t the case with the Mets. A 140 (i think i’m right about the payroll) million payroll for a 500 baseball club is evidence you are breaking up the club due to colossal failure and futility and that is exactly what we have here.
Is David Wright a clutch player?
Is David Wright a dependable fielder?
David Wright is NOT the player we thought he would be.
We need to investigate upgrading this team at all positions.
You are out of your mind, seriously. No one hits lefties better, he was POTM in June, has had very good stats, but if the guy slumps for a week or two – lets pull the plug
As each day goes on, I am more and more convinced that the Mets have the dumbest fan base ever.
Mets fans are mercurial to say the least. Up, down, good, bad, high, low, depending on the last few games.