Can Mets Get Anything Worthwhile for David Wright?
My former “boss” Rob Neyer relayed a completely fabricated and untrue rumor about a David Wright trade to the Phillies.
In the proposed deal, Wright would go to the Phillies in return for Domonic Brown, Vance Worley, and Phillippe Aumont. Personally, I’m not sure I’d do that deal, but all things considered — i.e., Wright’s contract situation and his coming off the worst season of his career — it wouldn’t be a terrible trade for the Mets.
What’s scary, though, is that Neyer termed the deal as “crazy”. Here is what he said:
I’m not sure about the Brown-for-Wright swap; the jury’s still out on both players, and there’s definitely a non-zero chance that Wright will turn things around and Brown won’t ever become the player we’ve been expecting. But yeah, trading Brown and Worley and Aumont would be the height of folly. Because, as taco pal well delineates, Wright just isn’t the player he used to be.
Oh my … this is scary because, when looked at objectively, from the outside (in other words, as someone who is not a Mets fan), he’s right.
Neyer concludes with this:
I won’t suggest that Wright can’t again become a brilliant player. And even at +25 and -11 he’s a fine player. But the trend is clear, and between his performance and his age and his salary, you simply can’t trade three good young players for him.
Which is why the Phillies certainly wouldn’t do any such crazy thing.
Again, I can’t objectively, er, object to what Neyer suggests. On paper, David Wright is trending downward. As someone who has watched every single one of D-Wright’s games for the past six years, I know why the numbers aren’t where they should be (injuries, beanball, swing change). But the point is, people who aren’t as close as you and me — such as scouts and GMs from opposing teams — see Wright much differently, and much more pessimistically, than we do.
That’s a good thing and a bad thing, depending on your perspective. If you are of the ilk to completely demolish every last thread of the Mets roster and start from scratch, then this is bad news, as it means Wright won’t bring back a lucrative package of prospects — at least, not if / until he proves he can be the “real” David Wright during the first half of the 2012 season. On the other hand, if you are one of those people who would like to see at least one familiar face on the field next spring — someone who has a legitimate chance to represent the Mets at the All-Star game — then this news may please you, because it means that Sandy Alderson will be forced to hold on to Wright at least until July.
So which side are you on? Do you want to see David stay or go? Why or why not? And what do you think the Mets can get — right now — in return for Wright in trade? Post your thoughts in the comments.
I like Wright a lot, but trading him would 1) presumably bring back some useful pieces for the future; 2) accelerate the pressure for Wilpon to sell the damn team to somebody who can afford it.
Having said that, David should stay but they do need to make some moves. Especially at key positions, centerfield, shortstop & catcher. It seems that SP is left to the future (Wheeler & Harvey).
Angels have a loaded OF and I heard a rumor earlier this year of a David Wright for Peter Bourjos trade. Now, to me thats crazy – but I think Bourjos could be the future of the Mets. Lead off man, speed, defense and under team control for years to come. Angels need a 2b/3b and pitching. I would offer Murphy, Parnell, Familia for the kid and cash. Mets need both, young CF talent and money…
Doing this move will give Justin Turner a shot which is well deserved. Maybe signing a vet like Ryan Theriot to take over 2b. Parnell has great potential but ill take the CF over the RP any day. Familia is a nice chip but the Mets value Wheeler and Harvey more, a worth while chance on some one like Bourjos.
I don’t think Thole or Tejada will be the future of the Mets but it does seem they will get their shot in 2012 and will not be traded. Bourjos would be an exciting move, a new lead off man with speed! Defensive wiz and a fresh new face after the beloved Jose Reyes went to the rival Marlins this offseason.
PETER BOURJOS … please Wilpons, do something nice in 2012.
ps- Doesn’t every team get someone at the all-star game? I’d way rather see R.A. out there saying something heartfelt and stimulating at the AS game than that mopey ass DW face we’ve all become accustomed to. A prosperous new year to you all (except you Freddie).
But otherwise, yeah … the Wilpons make a habit of bringing in good young boys who don’t make waves or have any personality. Who do you think was behind the deals to break up the ’86 Mets? Fred Wilpon couldn’t get rid of Mitchell, Backman, Dykstra, Knight, and anyone else with a hint of personality fast enough. But hey, Kevin McReynolds was a pleasure to watch and Art Howe lit up a room.
I don’t think there was a problem with the contracts either guys got. But I do agree they should have brought more players here over the years. Though I think the lack of smaller moves…solidifying the pen, getting some solid starters other than the ones that cost $20 mil were bigger problems than not getting more expensive stars
You think Jose wanted to leave the Mets? He wasnt given a choice. And you know what, Good for him, when you are the 100% of the conversation of anyone who follows baseball to be a top 5 SS you deserve a little love. Jose never got that from the mets. He isnt a superstar, he gets injured to much, he dances to much, he doesnt deserve carl crawford money. I cant wait until the marlins come to town and ownership hears the most noise that will be heard all year from that morgue rooting for a marlin.
He could have had more yrs on his deal if he wanted…it was even said he was offered the same deal as Wright, but took the shorter deal so he wouldn’t have to give up his FA years… knowing he’d likely make more money in the long run. And really at the time of that deal Jose only had about 3-4 productive months of baseball under his belt. He was terrible in 2005…the deal he got was pretty sweet for a guy who hadn’t even put together a good full season at that point.
And please spare me the Jose didn’t get any love nonsense. If anything he escaped the criticism much more than anybody else on the team. Yea opposing teams complained about his handshakes,..but that wasn’t from the Mets…and that was the worst critcism he’s gotten. Jose got a major pass for disappearing down the stretch in both 2007 and 2008, There was constant talk after those years blaming Wright and Beltran for being “unclutch” but it was Jose who barely hit .200 both those Septs and yet there was barely a peep about that.
And IF Jose really wanted to stay with the Mets, he wouldn’t have spurned their offers to discuss contract mid-season. He just wanted to test FA waters and get paid…which is fine…thats what most players do. But the poor Jose, didn’t get any love nonsense is incredibly offbase
If it is true that this guy who had nothing his whole life had the nuts to gamble his first contract to get a little better second one, he is a better man then me.
I personally think the Mets backed the wrong horse from the begining hoping that DW would be Jeter which he is not. Reyes should have been the face of this franchise, lets watch how he lights up south beach.
But anyway, Reyes got a fair contract from the Mets. Getting less yrs than Wright wasn’t stopping him from being a “face” or a big part of the team…he was….until he left.
I’ve never understood this “Wright vs. Reyes” stuff. Reyes was a Met for almost 9 years…he’s always been viewed as a key point to the team….if they weren’t “betting” on him at any point, he wouldnt have been a Met all these years
It’s likely too late to trade, ownership wants to keep him for appearance sake and that “deal” — lol. You had me at Worley.
As for Wright…the Mets will trade him in July if they can get some stellar package of prospects for him. However, I’m betting that if they only get offered some semi-decent prospects, they’ll keep Wright for the short-term benefit of keeping fannies in the seats. That’s the way the Wilpons have operated in the immediate past (Reyes being a prime example) and that’s how they’ll do it in 2012…because what matters most to them is selling tickets in the short-term. And that’s why the Wilpons will never succeed with this team. So long as they have short-term money problems, their actions are always going to first go to benefit the short-term.
Please please please sell, Mr. Wilpon!
However Neyer’s claim the trade would not be made because Wright won’t get back to what he was and Brown won’t ever live up to what he was supposed to be is silly. In a way those are the types of players that do get traded.
He then says because Wright won’t ever get back to what he was, the Phillies would not trade 3 good players for him. Well that may be true but it doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t happen involving other players.
This trade would be complicated as most trades are and because it’s Wright, it is more complicated. Phils need to move Polanco’s salary to make it work but Mets will benefit from moving Wright’s salary so it’s possible both teams give on that front. Not saying the Mets may be able to shed all of Wright’s salary in another trade but it might work.
The key to the deal could be Worley. Not sure the Phils want to move him and go with Blanton and Kendrick as the 4th/5th starter and it’d be hard for them to acquire another pitcher to replace Worley if they take on Wright’s salary. If they traded Worley, I’m not sure they’d give up Brown or Aumont but maybe a good mid-level pitcher and/or a mid level position player or 2.
On the other hand, Worley’s value may be highest right now although he is a solid 3/4 starter in my opinion. He is mentally tough.
As for Dom Brown, he did some good things at the plate (showed a good eye and better plate discipline) the more he played and still has a ton of upside. He probably needs a full year or close to it in AAA without being jerked around. Not sure the Phils would move both Worley and Brown though and Brown being the main guy in the package probably wouldn’t work for the Mets.
Sure it may just be a rumor but you can’t dismiss it because who says it has to be those players rumored anyway. And it does make sense that the Phils would want Wright purely from a need standpoint because of Howard’s injury and just the fact they could use a good power hitter. Wright still had very good OPS numbers in 2010 (much better than Polanco) and he can be a decent enough fielder.
Often we equate our expectations with poor performance. We want Wright to be the guy he was 3yrs ago and if he isn’t we call him a bum. Even at 2010 levels he is not a bum. .283-29-101is better than all but a handful of 3b’s. He has value. Whether or not that value is greater as a trade piece or as a Met depends on what you get and where you are as a team. Those questions are better answered in July than now.
DW needs to stay, primarily because Neyer’s view is shared by most if not all MLB GMs. Despite what Sandy says, if the Mets could bring back a haul for him and remove his salary, it would have been done. I don’t understand the notion of keeping him as a drawing card or to appease the fan base, as it is hard to imagine that the fan base can be any more depressed. DW’s trending is concerning, especially his D and his being beat consistently with fastballs. Hopefully he can break the trend in the first half of 2012 This will help the club whether they decide to actually “rebuild” or if they extend him.
– Wright is an all-star GG 3rd baseman with a history of production. Stick him on the Roxx and they can run away with the NL. THAT gets wright value. Not one-for one player wise, but what could he do for a franchise. PLUS if he doesnt deliver/does deliver the team and he divorce next year.
THE OBSTACLE: (Other than the Curse of Nelson Doubleday) is that other GMs can sit and wait for desperation to set in.
But that is just Met fans dreaming because we are not going to have a winter like that for a long time. And I think we could have a couple years like the Pirates did this year which will give a lot of people False hope.
And the reason people whine and complain about him is because he has underachieved and been awful. They could release him if the only reason he is on the team is to boost ticket sales. Because no one is paying hundreds of dollars to watch him strike out and bang his helmet on the ground 3 times a game.
I dont know what you want to call it. Underperforming, Underachieving, overhyped whatever, but DW has not filled the expectations EVERYONE has had for this guy.
If I ran the mets and I would Have built my team around Jose Reyes and a first basemen. If it was last year I would have picked Adrian Gonz, this year Prince. I would have traded DW and Ike for pitching.
Not everyone is bashing DW. Most acknowledge his very good run but also acknowledge the downward trend combined with soon aging out of the “prime” playing years. I am rooting for DW to have a huge year in 2012, like I am rooting for the Mets to win the NL east. However, this most likely will result in his departure duringor after 2012, unless the Mets buck the odds and have both a strong year at the big league level, with the big pitching prospects, in court, and ate the gate. Possible, but highly unlikely.