19
2012
Would You Decline Wright’s Option To Sign Josh Hamilton Next Offseason?
An article by 
After posing this question via twitter, a debate ensued between myself and several Met bloggers including our own Joe D. and Brandon Butler. I thought I would ask the MMO faithful this same query: Would you do anything to sign Josh Hamilton next winter? Even if it meant losing David Wright? Personally, I think it is something to consider.
Now that the Rangers have inked Japanese fireballer Yu Darvish to a major contract, the chances of them making a push for Prince Fielder has decreased significantly. When asked about their chances of signing him, GM Jon Daniels said “I’m intimately aware of our budget and it’s very unlikely”. Does that mean that it is also unlikely that they would be able to re-sign their franchise slugger Josh Hamilton? It’s a possibility.
If Texas cannot re-sign Hamilton, –who stated he doesn’t want to have extension talks once Spring Training begins– he will hit free agency next winter. If that happens, the Mets would more likely than not be out of the running due to financial constraints. But should they freed up some cash, say decline Wright’s 2013 option or trade him before this July 31st deadline, that might create enough space in the budget to ink the superstar outfielder.
Wright has been showing signs of decline since his underwhelming 2009 campaign. His defense has regressed, his strikeouts are up and has lacked that x-factor that made him the superstar he was in 2005-2008. With not only his regression, but the Mets as a whole, there is the school of thought that there needs t be a change in leadership, a new face of the franchise. Could Hamilton be that face?
We all know Hamilton’s incredible story of addiction and recovery that ultimately led him back to where he belonged: On a baseball field. It would go without saying that he would be a positive influence on the younger players and be a clubhouse leader, but Hamilton does come with an element of risk. Despite being one of the top hitters in the game, his injury history is something of concern. The Raleigh native, although making four straight all-star squads, has not had a fully healthy season since 2008. Not only that, but when he hits free agency, he will be entering his age 32 season, not exactly a spring chicken.
But if I were to chose between the two, I would have to go with Hamilton. Both carry a certain amount of baggage, but when it comes down to pure talent, Hamilton has the edge. He is a leader, enormously talented, scrappy and above all is a winner. Yes by the time he would finish a contract he’d likely be in his late thirties and yes something would have to be done with Bay, but the Mets need a player to build around. They need a leader to turn this franchise around, and Josh Hamilton is better suited and better qualified for that task.
About the Author: Clayton Collier
Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com
46 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- BadBadLeroyBrown: on 2013 MLB Draft: Compiling & Analyzing 40 Mocks, Mets Consensus Picks: Teddy, I'd take Frazier, Meadows or Denney in...
- Padilla: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: Gee Coach Mike its so simple it...
- Timothy: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: Tejada has been excellent on defense. Best...
- Coach Mike: on Jose Reyes Is Running Again And Making A Rapid Recovery: Loved Reyes. When he got on base,...
- Coach Mike: on Braves vs Mets: Dillon Gee Opposes Mike Minor In Tonight’s Second Game: That's one reason to keep Collins. Wrap...
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5394 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
As the great marv albert would say…. YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But…. you love David Wright.
LOL.
I will respond more seriously below.
Ah Josh Hamilton. So a little side story for you.
I worked as a part time employee with a minor league club in 1999 when Hamilton was there for less than 20 games after being drafted. Fast forward to graduating college and being dumb and thinking I wanted to work in pro sports, I was a full time promotions and ticket director in 2006 when Hamilton was re-instated into baseball and he was sent to the same team to get his 2nd chance.
He is a night and day person (and for those that only know bits and pieces to his story, he was NOT into the drugs etc when he first got drafted.)
I traveled with our team to Batavia once and Hamilton’s wife and kids were also on the trip. I sat with them for the whole game, and they are genuinely overwhelmingly nice.
But here’s the thing. Despite his amazing story, right now Texas and MLB are trying to find him a new handler because Johnny Narron left for Milwaukee. If you think a handler is needed in Texas, try New York.
Secondly, he’s a great talent but he’s a great talent with knee issues. His knees are not going to get healthier over time, and the fact is, he’ll have to be looking for a big contract and big commitment in my view because he’s never really had either. His biggest contract was the one that ends after this year (2 years/12 mil per)
To me, he’s a tragic baseball story because he had all of this talent and if he was using his talent from ages 24 on in MLB we’d be talking about a Pujols like hitter possibly.
I don’t think he’s a good fit for the Mets. I think he’ll have to move to a corner spot soon, I think he’s a riskier talent than Beltran with knee issues and I think while he’s an exciting player and story… I am just not confident that Hamilton under a 5-6 year deal is what is best for the Mets.
I don’t think my answer changes with or without Wright on the team. In fact I think it’s more of a “no” if Wright is NOT on the team. You don’t go after a 31 year old with injury issues if you’re losing veteran home grown talent to free agency and rebuilding around a younger core.
I have read his book and they sound like genuinely wonderful people. I am very surprised Narron would leave him after everything they had been through. I would say his problem isn’t so much the risk of falling off the wagon as it is his injury risk as you pointed out.
His knees aren’t great, and if not for the drugs that took place in the minors once he got his $3.96 million dollar bonus, his body would probably be in healthier shape than it is now.
I think it is close to choose between Hamilton and Wright, but it would all really depend on how both of them perform in 2012. If Hamilton stays healthy and puts on an 08-esq performance, it might be something to consider. If Wright does just that, then you pick up his option and talk extension with him.
Hamilton would fall off the wagon in NYC. The Mets (and NYC in general)h have a reputation for drug abuse. Hamilton would be the next Mets Cone, Gooden, Strawberry but without the good years as a Met just the druggie years.
Not Hamilton. I’d be willing to lose Wright as it stands now but I wouldn’t spend the free cash on Hamilton.
Oh and you don’t build around a guy who will be in his mid30s by the time your team is rebuilt. That’s just stupid.
In a word: No
I had no problem taking a chance on an injury-waiting-to-happen if this organization could have scrapped up their pennies to resign Reyes. Might not have been the most sound decision with what little money we had for 2012 but I’ll admit to being bias. Reyes was one of my favorite Met players.
Hamilton as you state, hasn’t had a full healthy season either since 2008. However, he’s likely to cost more and that contract would end with him in his late 30s, not approaching mid 30s as Reyes’ would have been.
The x-factor? Ah…those intangibles…..
I like Hamilton, but no. Too old at this stage, will not be here long and his backround in NY would scare me off. Besides WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD HIM.
I think We will be in “can’t afford” mode for at least 5 years.
I really like Josh, he’s basically an NC boy so why wouldn’t I? However you can no longer consider him a CF if you want him to stay healthy. It’s a lot to risk signing him to most likely a 5 year 100M deal and slot him in LF. Honestly, if the budget can afford it you don’t make this a Wright or Hamilton debate. You make this a can we get rid of Bay by not letting his option kick in then use that money to sign Hamilton?
A lot also depends on Wright and how the Mets view things long term. Will Wright rebound? If he does will he still be here or will he be cast away for prospects?
No. Absolutely no. First off , I doubt Hamilton even wants to come anywhere near NY and all the negativity and temptations. Wright is either traded this season or his option is not only picked up but he’s extended and continues as the face of the franchise
We can trade #5, get more pitching and prospects, let bay’s option NOT kick in by any means nessesary, then with all the pitching talent we might have if we sign this guy people at least will show to the park.. and whoever is really thinking what’s wrong with the mets, just look at some people STILL considering david wright the face of the franchise… SMH… is that why we’re the joke of baseball?? seriously.. i’d have traded the guy THIS offseason, sign reyes and we could’ve had some decent players in return and tejada/reyes up the middle, davis at first and hell, pedro feliz for all i care at 3B, it would’ve made more sense than having andres torres on this team..
Showing your love again.
Wright is still considered the face of the franchise because of two things… one he had an incredible run just as Reyes, two he’s all that’s still here.
As for trading him for pitching and signing Hamilton again it depends on a a few of things. Can his value rebound enough to get top pitching, would Hamilton even come here, are you playing him in LF, would he be able to handle NY… there is a lot to consider here before just giving Wright the Pelfrey treatment.
Also, what does the David Wright over Jose debate have to do with Andres Torres? LOL.
What would have happen if you had cast Wright off in October by trade and attempted to re-sign Reyes then the Marlins just continue to up their offer? Then you are even worse off than before.
Here’s one for Alex. Just to show again I think Mets first and not player first.
With Detroit really needing to replace VMart’s bat and previous interest in Wright, is there a match?
Could you do something along the lines of Inge, Dirks and 2 top prospects? Of course it would depend on who those 2 prospects were. Taking Inge’s salary would help them off-set Wright’s but still save the Mets 10M.
No I am not an Inge lover at all. I am not even sure he can still play baseball, he was awful last year. However, slot him in with Thole and as Murphy’s backup at 3B. Turner and the kids play 2B. How much worse of a team are you really? Again, would I do this? Not so sure. It really depends on who the prospects are and if you think you are keeping Wright long-term.
trs: Question for you (and anybody else who shares the same thought)
Why would Detroit replace Victor Martinez who was there DH with a 3B? If lets just say in your scenario they want Wright… that then means Brandon Inge has no spot which means he becomes your DH? And I’m not saying Inge had anything but a horrendous year in 2011, and thats why I don’t see it
Why take a new 3B and then still need a DH? You’re not putting a guy who hit .191 and no power in 2011 as your DH and you’re not using Wright as a DH only…
I think the VMart injury puts Detroit in a market for guys like Carlos Pena, Vlad Guerrero, Alfonso Soriano, or maybe even Manny Ramirez (who knows)
I don’t think you replace a DH by getting an every day player. Not unless you have somebody you can slot into the DH role and if you already have that then why are you upgrading anyway?
To me, the role of the DH seems to be evolving. It’s less the every day DH types (Ortiz) and more of a resting of position players when possible. Would the Tigers rather have Inge and Manny or Wright and Inge? It would be a bonus that Wright can actually field a position. And who really cares that Inge would be at DH or 3B if he’s in the lineup?
Well a few things
Inge is basically their team captain. He’s like their Varitek essentially. So they aren’t going to toss him aside at 5.5 million AND bring in another 3B AND bring in another DH.
Inge is not a DH, no matter how you’d like to look at the DH position he just isn’t.
You have to also remember this is not a team that dumps their prospects easily. So not only do you have to slap your team’s captain in the face, you also have to pay to get the new guy PLUS you have to get some sort of bat through free agency because Inge won’t cut it as a DH.
Even if you go get Wright, you’re not DH’ing him. As terrible as we say he is in the field, he’s not a clog. He’s not a DH.
The Tigers can go get a guy like Vlad lets say, and use their own Delmon Young as backup and figure it out rather than shaking things up completely, dealing youth for Wright and then still worrying about their DH.
I just don’t see it
Wright’s the team captain here, so I wouldn’t put too much stock in that. A team captain that doesn’t hit .200 is not a team captain for long.
NJ: Different situations. And I’m not saying they will never upgrade Inge. They will, and they should. I’m saying they just lost their 2nd best hitter for the year, the best thing to do is not to then shake it up even more by replacing your teams clubhouse captain before opening day and then STILL need a DH.
If Wright turns it around and is on the block, yes I think Detroit is a great fit if they are in the hunt during the year but I still think Dombrowski doesn’t give prospects away too often so it’s not an easy trade to make.
If its me and I’m Detroit, I go get Vlad and call it a day.
Since when is Dwright this teams captain??? who appointed him to be? you????
The Core did.
The CORE exposed him for what he is… a known CHOKER.. a guy who went the game is on the line, he tightens up like a p**** on pre wedding day!!!
And then Captain Hook kicked all of them off the ship and they floated into Neverland.
Again, why so much hate? He’s a Met. Imagine if all I did was post stats about Reyes’ Mendoza September stats.
Seriously, is their any need for these type post?
it is the truth.. why can’t you for once stop slurping on his B**** and admit the man folds under pressure?? when another team rathers walk pagan and duda to face “your best hitter/player” shows the lack of respect there is for this guy, the jury is out on him, teams already know the pressure to produce gets to him, making him weak and vulnerable under pressure situations… seriously, people here need to seethis man for what he is, a good player when there’s great/better players around him…
Here we go again, because I have a different opinion than you I am now slurping on his “b***”. Again how can someone have any type of normal debate with you. You can’t handle it.
And I’m not fighting you on this. I really don’t see it happening either, when they can sign a Damon or someone cheaper and not let their prospects go. I’m just saying that Inge would be the least of my worries about bringing in Wright to DET.
Jessep, I think we’re on the same page. I think V-Mart opens up more of an opportunity to get a slugging LF in there, as opposed to Wright. Bay, like I said, Sori and Manny, like you did. Also, Carlos Lee is a salary dump waiting to happen in Houston.
I seem to remember Lee being a pest with his no trade clause though? I think he even said he won’t go AL.
I just think if you are the Tigers going after a guy like Wright means you’re going in circles and not fixing the real problem. You’re fixing maybe the Mets problem but not the Tigers
Lee’s no trade clause expired, I believe, but now he’s a 10-5, so it’s essentially the same thing. He must have hated Chicago to insist on not going back to the AL.
TRS, fair enough, but i don’t think the tigers will part with jacob turner… but if they give us smyly, castellano who’s a 3rd baseman in Class A then i’m listening…
I don’t think they need a single A 3B with as many 3B options as we already have in the system that really need a chance to prove themselves. We need a CF for sure and catching without a doubt, then it’s back to more arms.
I think they may well start listening, and as Joe D stated on wanting to reduce the payroll, and this bumps up the asking price a little on DWright, I’m sure that could be a match. Agree that Jacob Turner wouldn’t be part of the deal as well. But the deal better be for a couple blue chippers, for sure.
Murph would slot to 3B, Turner (and soon enough Havens) at 2B.
TRS, Dombrowski said there won’t be a long-term replacement for V-Mart, so maybe renting Wright for a year on that front makes sense, but I don’t see them paying for him. If they don’t want to it to cost a player, they’ll have to take the whole salary. If they don’t want to pay money, they’d have to send a top pitcher. I just don’t think they’ll give up a ton for a year of Wright, especially since they have very little competition in the division that’ll jeoperdize their chances of winning it.
The guy who might actually have the best shot on the Mets is Jason Bay. V-Mart’s replacement won’t be long term, but the Tigers don’t have an everyday left fielder, and if Bay goes there, they can slide Delmon Young to be the everyday DH for a year and back to a backup role next year with V-Mart back.
Now that would be a call for a ticker tape parade, should that happen.
The Mets will have to eat lots of salary, but six of the top ten prospects in hte Tigers system are pitchers, so if even one of them comes back, I’d call it a win. Bay and cash for a top pitching prospect? Done.
Oh lord, I just knew that once I saw the title of this story, it was going to involve me, and I was right LOL x)
I just think the reward is bigger than the risk. Say what you want about the media and drug abuse and stuff, but with his kindof of power, moving him to LF or RF might allow him to remain healthy.
Love me some Hamilton, but the combination of his Injury history, the NY area and him probably being better suited as a corner OF spot would certainly give me pause. If he was to come here, I’d embrace him with open arms, though, for sure.
Now, if this truly is a DWright vs JHam debate, it is splitting hairs but I probably lean towards Hamilton at this point. Not saying dump Wright for Hamilton, but factoring what salaries could be, who could take the spot of Wright should he go and all that, Hamilton may be the better fit for the team.
Now, to get all funny with you guys, can you imagine Hamilton and all his injuries getting together with the Mets medical staff? YIKES!
NYC is no place for Hamilton. He’s already fell off the wagon once. His Father-in-law is no longer his handler. He’s also too injury prone.
No. It’s idiotic. There’s no guarantee you’d even sign Hamilton.
Neither will be here in 2013…neither should be here in 2012. Mets will lose Wright and make no attempt to get Hamilton. Are you serious? C’mon, this team is not going to give anyone a huge contract in the foreseeable future. They certainly aren’t going to bring a recovering drug addict to New York City. Give me a break.
the age + accumulated injuries are a major red flag (and that does not even take into consideration how he reacts to NY!).
Instead of this, take a run at the Cuban guy (Cepedes?) for CF.
I really like Hamilton but he’ll turn 31 in May which means he’s in his age 32 season in 2013.
Age 32, injury history… Pass. You don’t build around an age 32 OFer; You add him as a piece when you’re close to contending (like Hernandez and Carter in the 80′s)
Wait and see what you really have in Davis, Duda, Tejada and some of the other youngsters. Wright, even with his decline, is still more valuable at 3B; a VERY thin position in MLB… Which could also be a reason to trade him.
Unless David Wright signs a longterm extension for less than he’s scheduled to make in 2012 and in 2013, he’ll be gone by July. As for Josh Hamilton, he’s an elite talent but everything the Mets are not looking for. He’s oft-injured, most likely on the downswing of his career, and will hamstring the payroll. We just let Reyes go who was oft-injured, younger, and would most likely cost less than Hamilton might require.
In true Bill Cosby form, I say all that to say this, Wright might be on his way out, but Hamilton is definitely not on his win in.
talent wise, of course. David no onger is the durable guy he started out as so I think the injury thing is a wash. However, Hamilton’s past nightmare with drugs would probably make fast paced NYC too stressful for him.