David Wright appeared in just over 70 games for the Mets between 2015 and 2016. He did not appear in a game at all for the team this past season.
Despite being signed through 2020, Wright’s most recent surgeries this offseason puts his return up in the air yet again. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the team isn’t counting on him being ready for spring training.
“We have to get to spring training and see how David feels,” assistant GM John Ricco said. “And given the fact this isn’t just a couple of months, it’s been a while now, and to be fair to us and him we have to plan for him to not be ready, and if he is we’ll adjust.”
The team has been reluctant to go out and sign a new third baseman with hopes that Wright could return to a high level of performance.
However, it has been one setback after another for the 35-year-old Wright, who still believes he could return to the caliber of player he once was.
It seems as though the Mets no longer believe this and are now prepared to fill the third base position with the presumption that their former star is not going to return.
That said, it doesn’t appear as of right now that the team will dip into the market for a third baseman, despite names like Todd Frazier and Eduardo Nunez being linked back to the team.
With the team picking up the option on Asdrubal Cabrera, he now appears to be the likely starting third baseman for the 2018 season. On Tuesday, assistant general manager John Ricco said the team is leaning in that direction.
If that’s the case, the Mets still need to go out and get a second baseman and even a first baseman. Though with their limited cash, it might be just one or the other.
As for Wright, it’s a shame that he’s had to endure so much pain and a grueling rehabilitation process, but the team can’t wait around for a player who might never appear in a major league game again.
