Mets third baseman David Wright is hoping that an upcoming visit to his back surgeon will result in the beginning of an uphill climb back to the majors, as Jon Heyman of Fan Rag reports. Wright says that it’s just a routine visit, but there seems to be at least some optimism that he’ll be cleared to start some light baseball activities or arrive at a timeline for taking that step.
While it was largely a foregone conclusion already, the news leaves no doubt whatsoever that Wright won’t return in 2016. When he underwent surgery for a herniated disc in mid-June, a three-month timetable had been suggested, which made a late-season activation at least theoretically possible.
Instead, Wright will be looking to build back for 2017. In some regards, there’s no rush, as he’ll have an entire offseason to prepare. But given that he has been limited to light exercise thus far, the hope will surely be that there is sufficient healing in Wright’s neck to allow him as much time as possible to get back in shape and tune up his baseball skills.
There could also be some implications for the Mets, who are no doubt watching warily to see how Wright bounces back. He was already dealing with a serious back issue, diagnosed as spinal stenosis, before the neck surgery became necessary. And at 33 years of age, Wright was already entering a decline phase. Creating a back-up plan, at least, seems an obvious necessity. Even though New York remains on the hook for $67MM through the 2020 campaign, it likely can’t fully count on Wright at this point — though he has made clear that he is committed to a return.
Finding a fill-in could simply be a matter of looking within, of course. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com suggested recently on Twitter that the organization views Jose Reyes as a “hedge” against Wright being unavailable. It seems fair to think that Wilmer Flores would be a viable possibility, and New York has several other, less-established options on its depth chart as well.
That being said, with other infield needs — the pending departure of second bagger Neil Walker and potentially also first baseman Lucas Duda (who is an uncertain tender candidate) — it’s also not unimaginable that the Mets will try for a winter strike to add another player capable of manning the hot corner. How great a priority that is may well depend upon what kind of progress Wright can show over the next month or two.
David Wright, please retire. Please. You’re the Mets captain. Let your team move on if you cannot be counted on.
I’m not sure that I’d be able to just walk away from $67 mil unless DW is going to get paid whether he retires or not.
And give up millions of dollars?
He’s screwing the team year after year by staying “active” If he retires, I bet the team would cut a deal to give him a portion of his salary if he did decide to walk away. his presence has hamstrung the roster and the budget. If he’s really the team-centric guy he’s lauded as, he will call it a career if he suffers 1 more major injury or setback. Heck, he might HAVE to like Prince did.
Why would he want a part of his salary h has sacrificed a lot for that franchise and deserves that money
Wright is doing the Mets a favor if he is unable to play. The 75% covered portion of his salary is far more than what would probably be settled on if he retires. As long as he’s on the 60 day, I’m fine with him staying.
He’s not costing much after insurance, mets fans like him, captain, and tell me anybody who’s walking from that many millions that you are already signed up for. Also getting top health care for injuries due to job for free. Think about what would you do before ripping him for it.
Thats a lot of cash to say no thanks to. Daniel Tosh had a great piece on Brett Favre that is relative.
FrozenRopes, greatest comment of all time
That’s not happening unless he becomes medically disabled
It’s hard but I think he wants to play and who are we to tell him to move on. If he retires due to a medical issue most of the contract is covered by insurance.
I say give it a go, leave it on the field. The dudes 33, in 4 years he’s 37 been out of baseball for 5 years and still a young guy. You never want to second guess your choice. Do you want to be late 30’s going “man, I wish I would have given it a shot”.
He is a smart guy, he will know when it’s time.
He is not going to hang on for the cash and embarrass himself.
Give it a go, David, if you do choose.
NO regrets. Life is too short.
To thine own self be true.
Not to be heretical, but Wright would probably benefit from the luxury of being on an AL team. I don’t know how you begin to structure a trade (or, whether it would even make sense for the Mets, assuming they have insurance) but you can see why all that bending and diving won’t help
Can’t hurt at all for him to try and come back. Mets have Gavin and Rosario in the background and maybe others, like Thompson and Lindsey. The prospect depth isn’t that bad. Even surprise double a batting champ is from the mets organization and is infield I believe. Give it a shot, if it fails than they have options within, including Flores Reyes and hopefully kelly Johnson again.
Rosario had a great 2016 – but can’t see him up before the 2017 ASB at best (and not at all if Cabrera repeats his 2016). Johnson is a bench/platoon guy, not a 150 game starter; Flores has to prove that he can handle RHP enough to be an everyday player (even if at 3 positions) also.
I’d like to see the Mets offer Walker a heavily incentivized deal: $8mm base plus $3mm for 300 PAs and $1mm for each 100 PAs after, with a $12.5mm minimum guaranteed if he is active for 140 games.
That leaves us needing a 1B regular, with Flores, Walker, Cabrera, Reyes, Johnson and a kid (Reynolds probably). Perhaps Conforto could try to learn 1B – a great platoon with Flores!
I wouldn’t give up on Duda. A .350 OBP and 25-30 HR power are hard to pass up.
Walker isn’t going to take an incentive based deal during his year to cash in. Also, if the mets didn’t insure wrights deal they are a bunch of morons.