According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Mets plan to kick off negotiations with their franchise slugger David Wright with about $100 million opening bid in an effort to make him a Met “for life”.
Heyman goes onto say that the Amazin’s will be flexible in their negotiations as they will negotiate through October before they even consider dealing their third baseman.
The Mets are also pursuing a an extension with their ace R.A. Dickey. It was reported last week that Dickey could get Oliver Perez money (3-years, $36 million), however Heyman tells us the Mets would prefer not to go more than two years since his unusally high velocity knuckleball could harm his longevity.
The Mets may give talks about a month, until the point where they will pick up the two players’ options in early November. If there are no new deals done by the time the team picks up the options (Wright’s is for $16 million, Dickey’s is for $5 million) the Mets may consider trades for both players. But particularly in Wright’s case, the Mets might have to be overwhelmed to pull the trigger on a trade.
Last week on WFAN, Sandy Alderson spoke with Mike Francesa and said he has talked with Wright and his agents since the conclusion of the season and, while there are no guarantees of a resolution to a contract extension, “we’re going to move on this very quickly.”
Wright recently told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York he is hopeful he will remain with the Mets through the end of his career, although he intends on testing free agency after the 2013 should the two sides not come to terms on an extension this winter.
Personally, it’s nice to see the Mets seemingly making an effort to sign a player rather than letting him walk with next to no compensation for it. Certainly beats a box of chocolates.
