Mets third baseman David Wright has a clear and distinct message for his teammates as Spring Training is set to begin in Port St. Lucie in five days.
In an exclusive interview with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Wright says he understands the battle ahead.
“The postseason is addicting, but we have a challenge,” Wright said on Thursday from Tradition Field.
“We’re going to have a bull’s-eye on our back, we are not going to sneak up on anybody this year. When you are the National League champions, you get everybody’s ‘A’ game, not just the players, but the fans. The fans come out to root against you on the road, so it’s going to be hostile environments on the road, it’s going to be teams wanting to knock off the National League champs.”
The Mets’ captain says he expects to do everything in his power to keep the team focused and responsive this season as the Mets go in as the defending National League champs.
“We can’t rest on what we accomplished last year, we have to worry about coming together as a team this spring and getting the job done,” Wright said.
You can always count on David Wright to do and say the right things. At 33-years old and still under contract for five more years, Wright will also have the pressure of bouncing back offensively after having his 2015 season cut short by spinal stenosis.
“When I came back last year there were some highs and there were some lows. Now, there is no question in my mind that I can still go out there and play.’’
The Mets are hoping they’ll get at least 140 games out of Wright this season, and if he produces at the same .289/.379/.434 level he produced in 38 games last season, everyone will be thrilled. Wilmer Flores is on call as Wright’s primary backup on those days when he’ll need a day or two off.
I think Wright’s going to be just fine, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a huge Comeback Player type campaign from the Cap’n in 2016.
