Who Is More Valuable To The Mets: R.A. Dickey or David Wright?

55 Comments + Add Comment

• K Maxx October 14, 2012 at 12:07 pm

  Dickey for all three. Dickey is an ace and that is always more valuable than a good everyday player who cannot carry a team. Teams dont build around players like Wright who is just a complimentary player for a team that already has a superstar in the heart of their lineup. If Wright is your top offensive player fourth place is just about where you’ll finish every season especially in the NL East.
• MetsWatchman October 14, 2012 at 12:09 pm

  Best Player: Dickey. He took the knuckleball and pitched with the dominance of a power pitcher, it was amazing. Wright reverted back to himself in the 2nd half.

  Trade Value: Dickey again. His option $$$ in 2013 is a bargain that could very well yield a stud prospect. A trade for Dickey should be a #1 priority. Not popular move folks but we are rebuilding so lets explore and try to do it right.

  2013 Success: Hard to say. Depends heavily on other moves.
• Old Backstop October 14, 2012 at 12:12 pm

  Player of the year Dickey. The other questions are too close to call, but as far as trade value I would imagine the prospect for a contending team to add a top rotation pitcher like Dickey would trump any offer you would get for Wright. Both players are one-ear rentals so basically you are trading for what they can give you in 2013. Dickey can gives you a 20 game winner and Cy Young caliber pitcher, Wright gives you a solid third baseman who gets on base and has 20 HR power with one injury risk.
• Brendan October 14, 2012 at 12:25 pm

  How can someone who plays 160 games be more valuable than someone who plays 32 games? Sorry but I vote Wright across the board but would ad that they are tied in trade value.
  • Brendan October 14, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Meant to say how can someone who plays 32 games have more value than someone who plays 60 games. Sorry.
    • Donal October 14, 2012 at 12:43 pm

      Starting pitchers have the most individual influence over the game for their team.
      • stick October 14, 2012 at 1:37 pm

        but, does the extra influence in 20% of the games outweigh the cumulative influence of a position player in 100% of them?
        • Metsie October 14, 2012 at 2:40 pm

          It could be if the Pitcher in question was a traditional pitcher who could help elevate the other 4 pitchers in the rotation and show them how to throw, locate and get batters out but Dickey really doesn’t fit into that mold.

          Having a Seaver type you get much more than just the game he pitches as he has a snowball affect throughout the rotation.

          But Dickey can’t really address setting a hitter up with the fastball to throw the curve or discuss moving pitches inside and out or even how to locate a fastball curve and sinker…

          He doesn’t really have that stuff in his arsenal.

          So in Dickey’s case no but there ARE some Pitchers who could contribute more than just the 20% of games they pitch in.
          • hotstreak October 14, 2012 at 3:30 pm

            Metsie: I had this discussion on metsblog In international economics there is a term called comparative advantage. Wright is a stronger trade chip on the age factor alone. Yes we will weaken 3b but if we get a stud catcher such as Wil Roario or a young stud catching prospect who scouts love ready to take over in a year plus omore top 50 prospects then do it. Theorecticaally we can get better at catcher and OF and worse at 3B. Two steps forward and one back sound like we will go forward in the right direction (no pun intended).
            • stick October 14, 2012 at 3:35 pm

              IMO, the age factor is not in play here, only because they are both on 1 year deals if traded. Maybe if you are looking at is as teams only trading for them if they can sign an extension right away? Then it can be considered.
              • Metsie October 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm

                I disagree here…Age is going to be a factor because who is going to give up a prospect who could solve a problem for 5+ years for a pitcher who in 5 years will be 43!

                Even if they manage to sign him they aren’t getting any discount there so why trade for him when they can simply go get them for the same price in FA to build around that player you would try and trade them fo?

                Wrights a bit of a different story. He’s got about 6-8 years left in him. Can’t really say the same about Dickey even WITH the knuckleball saving his arm and bringing some longevity.

                Truth is the fact that they will be no more than 1 year deals just makes this notion that your going to improve two positions enough to make up for Wright or Dickey rediculous.

                No one is going to give up that much just to have first crack at extending two players about to make 15+ mil each.
              • Stick October 14, 2012 at 7:54 pm

                very simple. they are both 1 year rentals, so age is not an issue. Signing them long term is a different question entirely.

                and enough with the “just wait and sign them as a FA” nonsense. A team trades for a guy because they need them NOW. Know what Dickey will give you in 2013 if you are waiting to sign him as a FA? Nada.
                • MetsWatchman October 14, 2012 at 9:49 pm

                  If a Dickey extension is not reached and he gave them nada in 2013, how stupid would that be of Dickey when he’s playing for a substantial FA contract, probably the biggest payday of his life.

                  What would be nada is the chance of him wanting to sign it with the Mets.
                  • Stick October 14, 2012 at 10:40 pm

                    I might not have been clear. what I meant was that Dickey would not give the team waiting to sign him after 2013 anything next year. Not that he would give the mets nada during the year.
                  • MetsWatchman October 15, 2012 at 6:35 am

                    OK Stick…..I took your comment wrong. Yeah to me Dickey is the most valuable chip on this Mets team right now. They’d be crazy not to seriously explore trading him. His cheap $5 mil option for 2013 makes him a steal for a team that feels they’re just 1 quality starting pitcher away from putting them over the top. Cheap and no long term commitment. A FULL one year rental at a great price. Mets could land a stud prospect here. Of course Dickey moving on will surely give us further growing pains next year, but thats what rebuilding is all about. Its a sacrifice and a gamble. And after watching this team the last 5 years, its time to go in this direction full throttle.
                  • Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 6:46 am

                    Yeah but if u exercise the option, then lock up RA Dickey to a 4 year deal for say…36-40 mil ( 10 mil per year ) with a 1 year 15 mil option …

                    u actually increase RA’s trade value to a team that would’ve potentially signed him to alot more…

                    if u lock up David Wright to a 6 year deal avg 15-20 mil per year….aint no way in hell u can trade him to anywhere but the Yankees or Dodgers

                    1 – Trade David Wright – aim for a package that includes a TOP CF/ Catcher or SS…

                    ( A top SS means u move Tejada to 2B )

                    2 – Lock up RA Dickey to a sensible deal

                    3 – See how 2013 goes…if its a repeat of 2012, trade Dickey to a desperate contender who doesnt want to pay astronomical prices….U would have a MUCH WIDER market for Dickey than for Wright
                  • MetsWatchman October 15, 2012 at 5:37 pm

                    Just_Da……You’re dead on with Wright, once they lock him up he’ll never be tradable if he continues being the same player he’s been over the last 4 years.

                    However I don’t agree with you on Dickey. The consistency of a knukleballer’s effectiveness can be like a candle in the wind. And I think we’d be kidding ourselves to believe that the dominance he pitched with this year is going to continue into next year and beyond. I just think he’s a very high risk to give a 3 year extension with a $$$ value based on his performance this past year.
            • Metsie October 14, 2012 at 5:55 pm

              All your doing is taking the performance from a single Roster spot and splitting over two roster spots!

              You only get 25 Roster spots to make your team.

              If Wright can get you TWO prospects then keep Wright and get just one of them using other less needed players and not only do you have Wright’s performance but the added plus of that other player.
              • Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 6:48 am

                If those 2 less needed players dont fit what our potential trading partner needs, why would they give us that prospect?
                • Metsie October 15, 2012 at 10:26 am

                  Then you make a three team deal!
        • Donal October 15, 2012 at 11:38 pm

          depends on how the players perform. also, it depends on the position. If Wright were a center fielder, I’d say it was easily him.
• srt October 14, 2012 at 12:44 pm

  Mets player of the year? Hands down, RA Dickey.
  Which will be more valuable moving forward? That’s a little more gray. I want them both resigned. Get it done, Sandy.

  Looking towards the future now. As much as I enjoyed them on the Mets, Jose and Carlos are part of the past now. Time now to look ahead.
• DD October 14, 2012 at 12:52 pm

  I think Dickey was the player of the year in 2012. I think their trade value is pretty similar. Wright is younger/more established, but Dickey costs less and teams might view him as an easier guy to sign long term if they want to go that route.

  As for 2013, I’d go with Wright. The pitching staff is pretty good even if Dickey slips a bit…and Dickey is still only out there for 30-something games. Wright is out there for 160 games a year and the Mets offense is very heavily/overly dependent on him. Though hopefully Ike and Duda can have better years and maybe the Mets can pick up an OF somewhere to balance the lineup out a bit.
• Just_Da_Damaja October 14, 2012 at 12:59 pm

  RA Dickey and his potential contract = VERY trade able asset

  If we sign David Wright to the contract he is going to want, he is going to be an albatross

  a good portion of his value is wrapped around his being a home-grown met that we love

  that part of his value is absolutely useless to 29 other MLB teams looking to acquire a 3B
• DD October 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm

  And I wouldn’t say the most “impressive” thing about Beltran was leading the team in OPS/RBI/HR, despite only playing the 98 games he played last yr. OPS is a rate stat not dependent on games played. Those other cumulative stats led the team largely b/c a lot of guys were hurt (played hurt or missed a ton of time) and/or didnt have very good years. Beltran played many more games than Ike did and only 4 less games than Wright (who was hurt for a good chunk of those).,.and those are the only two that would realistically have a shot at topping those categories. So Carlos leading that team in a number of categories isnt what was particularly impressive. His line of .289/.391/.513./.904 152 OPS+ was what was impressive.,..especially since it came off two injury riddled seasons (that latter of which he performed pretty poorly) leading people to question if he was done.
• Bob L October 14, 2012 at 1:12 pm

  R.A. Mets player of the year, hands down; and R.A. has higher trade value, because 15- 20 game winners are in top-performing ranks each year, his contract readily digestible, very re-signable, and being a knuckle-baller, he probably has 3 – 4 years left beyond ’13 as a starter.
  Wright more critical to Mets’ performance though next year, because 1) he’s a linchpin in a weak lineup, 2) he plays 150+ games, and 3) nobody else in the Farm nearly ready at that position, and 4) internal options, Turner or Murphy, don’t have nearly the ‘pop’ desired for 3B.
• doekie October 14, 2012 at 1:22 pm

  Dickey, player of the year.

  Dickey has more trade value. $ 5 M. for an ACE? Or $ 16 M. for a (very) good 3B man (who had a great first half but a average second)

  And success for the Mets in 2013? How could that be done?

  My opinion, trade them both and get players for 2014 and beyond…………
• Des October 14, 2012 at 1:25 pm

  Dickey in 2012 — but Wright over the last several years and the next five years.
• Metsie October 14, 2012 at 1:32 pm

  Dickey without a doubt Player of the Year
  Wright has the most trade value
  Going Forward Wright is more important than Dickey

  The reason for that is we are going to have a pretty young and inexperienced team. The team is going to need someone to face the press while the losing is going on during the rebuild. Wright is perfect for that role he has done it for years now.
  They will need a Veteran to turn to and to mentor them. Is Wright the perfect guy for that? NOPE! But he’s as close as we are going to get to it in the next few years.

  Pitchers can’t do that and who knows if this was a one year pony with Dickey right now? I don’t think it is but even if it’s not Dickey is likely done before a potential Wright contract expires.

  In the end both seem to be tied to each other, Want one you probably have to sign both!
• stick October 14, 2012 at 1:41 pm

  let’s see. Dickey POY.

  trade value? Tough call. I would guess Dickey, because every team needs SP and he is cheap. But, only way to find out is trade them both and see what you get!

  2013? I would say Wright, only because SP actually could have some depth, and offense is still likely to be weak, so what Wright does will have more overall impact. Plus, always have to go with the guy that will be in 120+ more games!
• 86mets October 14, 2012 at 1:45 pm

  I know these stats can be deceptive at times, but Wright had a very strong 2012 season with runners on base and in scoring position over all:

  RUNNERS ON BASE: .314 BA, .398 OBP, .484 SLG for an .882 OPS
  IN SCORING POSITION: ..317 BA, .440 OBP, .500 SLG for an .940 OPS

  Yes, he struggled after the All Star break, but then so did every other Met. Hard to produce “superstar” numbers with no protection in the lineup. Even Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera would struggle to put up the great numbers they have if not for quality protection in the lineup around them. While Wright isn’t a superstar in their class, particularly Cabrera, he is probably just a notch below them. When your protection consists of Jason Bay, Lucas Duda, and Ike Davis (he hit poorly overall with runners on base and in scoring position) then Wright is lucky to have amassed 93 RBI and a .300 batting average at all. And how many teams would turn down a 3B who hits ..306, w/ 21 HR, 93 RBI & an .883 OPS? Would you rather have Alberto Callaspo or, GAG!, Chone Figgins, playing 3B for the Mets?
  • Metsie October 14, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    You know 86, First half, Second half blah blah blah I say…

    You simply can not build a winning team by letting your best player go at the end of every year.

    Beltran was our best player in the first half of 2011, got traded
    That left Reyes the best player on the team in the offseason…Let Go!
    Now that Wright has the best numbers on the team are we to trade him off the roster as well?

    I get why some people are down on him and they are not completely wrong in saying he’s not much of a leader and he is not the kind of guy who will ever carry a team.

    But with ALL of that he is still the best player on this team and I just find it odd why people who claim to be fans of the team are always looking for excuses to get rid of the best guys on it.

    A rebuild is supposed to be about improving every position not downgrading your best position each year.
• Matt October 14, 2012 at 2:41 pm

  2012 Mets Player of the Year is Dickey…not even debatable. He should win the Cy Young, he won 20 games for a team that was 14 games below .500, led the NL in K’s and IP, 2nd in ERA, and 3rd in WHIP. Wright batted a shade over .250 after the all-star break. This isn’t even close.

  Who has more trade value…this one is a little tougher…a decent 3rd baseman who turns 30 in December who, even with a poor second half, still batted over .300 for the year and had 40+ doubles and decent power numbers batting 3rd in a really bad lineup vs a 38 year old knuckleballer who had an amazing 2012. I’d say Wright has more trade value since he should have more productive years left in his career than does Dickey.

  Who is more critical to the Mets 2013 success…this is easy…it doesn’t matter, this team will achieve the same success in 2013 as it has for the past 4 seasons. Sub-.500 4th or 5th place team. So, the answer to this question is who cares, the team will stink regardless, trade them both and get pieces for future success. Build a team around Harvey, Wheeler, and Davis.
• L.J. Phipps October 14, 2012 at 3:13 pm

  Dickey for 1 & 3, Wright for 2 & 3. Dickey was clearly the Mets best player all year. Most consistent, pulled wins out when you needed them, if it were not for his 20 wins, take half away and the Mets are in the basement of the N.L. East. Dickey could bring in a top tier prospect or a position player because everybody needs pitching. I don’t know how much he would bring to the Mets in a trade because detractors will say he’s 38 & a knuckle baller. Wright had a good season and was the best position player. He is the “face of the franchise” and should remain a Met. On the other hand he is a valuable commodity and people are looking for a thirdbaseman and he could bring in some pieces the Mets need. As for 2013, again I would like the Mets to keep him, but if 2013 is a repeat of 2012, I don’t think he needs to be tortured any further. The real concerns are what the Wilpons and Alderson are prepare to do to improve this team so it does not have to relinquish either player, my guess is nothing!
• NJstuckinTX October 14, 2012 at 7:20 pm

  Wright is more valuable. Basically the only RH batter in the lineup of any worth, will be more productive over the next 5 years (yeah, speculation, but whatever), and about the only strength on this team is the SP. You lose Dickey, you have Niese, Harvey, Wheeler on the way, a very steady Gee and Johan as a throw in. You lose Wright and you have nothing to fill in for him. I know, it all depends on the return, but as funny as it sounds, it’ll be harder to replace Wright than our possible Cy Young winner Dickey.
• Stick October 14, 2012 at 8:25 pm

  Decided to throw this in here. SOmething Jessep said recently made me curious, so I looked things up.

  Common knowledge that Wright had a better 1st half than 2nd half. But, there was someone that had an even bigger tail off. Carlos Beltran.

  From July 1 through year end, Wright beat Beltran in every facet. BA/OBP/SLG/OPS. same HRs for each, and Wright had more RBIs (with no one hitting in front of him most of the time). Carlos only had 36 RBIs in the 2nd half.

  Wright also ended up with better slash #s. The only category Carlos really finished ahead in was HRs, thanks to his huge 1st half.

  Just thought it was interesting to see the #s, since there was a lot of discussion about how Carlos had this huge dominating year. I really did nor realize how much he tailed off.
  • srt October 14, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Interesting.
    I knew Carlos tailed off in the second half but didn’t realize his numbers were that down. I do know he hit around .225 second half.

    But watching this Cards/Giants game right now, once again Beltran having a very good post season. He’s up there with the elite now in number of post season HRs.
    • Stick October 14, 2012 at 10:43 pm

      would not be the first guy getting on in years with some physical issues that had to kind of pace himself, and save his energy for when it really mattered!
  • Trs86 October 14, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Yeah but all Wrights hits were like eating rice cakes, empty
  • Harry October 14, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Beltran? You people will forever keep talking about Beltran here. What’s the purpose of this? Your guy sucked worse in the second half than my guy? One is going to the NLCS the other isnt.
  • Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 6:55 am

    Beltran in April – .256 w/ 5 HR
    Beltran in May – .326 w/ 10 HR
    Beltran in June – .337 w/ 5 HR
    Beltran in July – .200 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in August -.211 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in Sept – .280 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in Oct – .444 w/ 2 HR

    Beltran was in a bad slump for 44 games…

    Look at David’s splits per month
    http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wrighda03&year=2012&t=b#month

    As a matter of fact…look at them per month since 2009

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wrighda03&year=2009&t=b#month

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wrighda03&year=2010&t=b#month

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wrighda03&year=2011&t=b#month

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=wrighda03&year=2012&t=b#month
  • Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 6:55 am

    Beltran in April – .256 w/ 5 HR
    Beltran in May – .326 w/ 10 HR
    Beltran in June – .337 w/ 5 HR
    Beltran in July – .200 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in August -.211 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in Sept – .280 w/ 4 HR
    Beltran in Oct – .444 w/ 2 HR

    Beltran was in a bad slump for 44 games…
• Greg From Broolyn October 14, 2012 at 9:33 pm

  Who’s more valuable? Oh wait I see. We’re going to have to deal with these filler blog posts until the World Series is over.
  • Harry October 14, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    Greg, You could go to Mets blog and see Michael Barons baseball cards and read about the Red Sox wanting to keep Cody Ross.
  • Stick October 14, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    every team’s fans (for the teams that are not in the playoffs) are in the same boat. Nothing new really happens once the playoffs start. Even coaches get canned the last day of the season.

    Gotta do something to fill up the blank space, right?
• Harry October 14, 2012 at 10:48 pm

  There’s no question that Dickey was the team’s MVP, and for one year he may have greater trade value. I think Wright will have a huge season in 2013 so I hope he is still a Met. Trade Dickey for a catcher and outfielder. Let Zack skip Las Vegas and get some on the job training. He is a Rule 5 guy anyway so he must be added to 40 man roster next month.
• Joey D. October 14, 2012 at 11:12 pm

  R.A. as player of the year for the Mets because with the lack of run scoring to be able to win 20 games is quite an accomplishment. Any other pitcher in his slot and we might have lost 100 games – that’s how good he was.

  As far as trade bait, guess it just depends upon which teams feel they need that one more good starting pitcher to get them over the hump. Same with David – which teams need not one of the top hitters in the game but a dependable good hitting third baseman to fill in that missing piece.

  Either way, I think for R.A. and David, they would be wasting their time in New York if they are looking to play on a contender. If they really like playing and living in New York and not disrupting their lives for a bigger paycheck, then staying would be great for all parties concerned – the individuals, the team and the fans.

  But that would place Sandy Alderson in a real bind if he’s looking to keep the payroll a bit below the $100 million mark.
  • doekie October 15, 2012 at 4:27 am

    Joey, to answer your questions.

    Which teams need a good starting pitcher? Texas and Toronto and both have a pretty good farm. How about a deal involving Olt from Texas? Great third baseman prospect. Are you willing to put Olt at 3rd next year? (So you can have the next trade)

    Which teams need a good hitting 3rd baseman? Angels do. How about Peter Bourjos for Wright? Plays very good CF and cheap for years. Also saves you $ 16 M. next year you can spend on RF/C

    And something I would like to see happen. Toronto needs a second baseman (Kelly is FA) so how about Murphy for D’Arnoud. If needed you can add Duda.

    Making those trades you save $ 21 M. and the following line up
    C D’Arnoud
    1 Davis
    2 Valdespin
    3 Olt
    SS Tejada
    LF Bay ( sorry but that’s how it is next year)
    CF Bourjos
    RF ??
    Rotation of Niese, Harvey, Gee, Santana and Mejia. Wheeler and Familia at AAA.

    Is this possible? If not, why not?
    • Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 6:58 am

      We would have to throw in Harvey and/or Mejia, Flores to even get Toronto to not hang up that phone after 30 seconds…

      Travis D is the top catcher prospect in all of baseball..

      Daniel Murphy, as much as i love him, is a defensively challenged, offensively challenged, athletically challenged man with no position.

      only met fans think we can trade Daniel Murphy for Mike Trout or Bryce Harper…

      thats a clown statement bro
• Moose October 15, 2012 at 12:00 am

  A good deal I think for R.A. would be a three deal for $20 – 25 mil front loaded deal. Also make a front loaded deal for David Wright for 6 or 7 years. that way if things are not good like with Bay you can dump the deal easier the with a back loaded in Bay’s case.
• Just_Da_Damaja October 15, 2012 at 7:46 am

  Juan Centeno – threw out 41% of basestealers in 2012…
  http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=centen002jua

  Matt Den Dekker – hit .340 in AA ball ( struggled in AAA )

  I want to see these 2 kids…along with Valdespin, Kirk, Mejia and Familia all get valuable playing time in 2013…maybe we get to see Zach Wheeler in September as well

  The Future is Now
  • MetsWatchman October 15, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Matt den Dekker……I watched him in A ball at St. Lucie every night, he does it all. Very exciting player. If he starts improving a little more on his contact, we could have a star here. I like this guy….called him “The Flying Dutchman” . He’s exciting on the bases and has a little pop too.
• alan October 15, 2012 at 10:37 am

  Useless to 29 other teams? Seems like there’s a team in Atlanta that could use D.W, to replace Chipper.Jones. If Wright’s demands are too high then Sandy will field offers at the winter meetings and the Braves would surely look to trade for him. Any one with any sense at all should realize that Wright can give the Braves a steady 20 -30 homers with 90 plus RBi’s and better defense then the aging Jones gave them the last year or so. With Jason Heywood and Freddie Freeman giving David protection in the lineup, the Braves would be thrilled to get him.

  Would the Braves have what we need to make the trade worth while?

  And while we are talking about teams interested in David….seems like the Red Sox and the Green Monster would be a good fit too!

  .
• Mitch Petanick October 15, 2012 at 10:55 am

  Anyone who says Dickey is more valuable than Wright has to sit back and think about that question before proclaiming Dickey, who was only a factor in 20% of Mets games this year. Dickey had a great year, but David is the most valuable player…most valuable trade chip…and would be more critical to the team’s success in 2013.
  • MetsWatchman October 15, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    More valuable in what way? To the Mets, yes I say you’re right. This Mets team, as presently constituted, needs a Wright more than a Dickey. But as far as trade value goes….its definately Dickey who’ll net us much, much more.