The New York Mets took a big step forward in their attempts at restoring credibility with the fans. Third baseman David Wright has reportedly accepted an 8-year $138 million contract offer from the Mets. The move keeps the 29-year old Wright with the only team he’s ever played for and gives the Mets someone they can firmly put in place as the face of their franchise.
Re-signing Wright is good news for the Mets and it’s the right move to make at the right time.
Wright already holds the majority of the franchise records, including hits and RBI. He’s been the one constant in the Mets lineup that their fanbase can look forward to seeing play. The Mets are currently at a point where every move they make will be under the microscope of their fans. Once they decided that Wright was their guy, they couldn’t let him get away like they allowed Jose Reyes to a year ago.
The most important part of all is this is that Wright truly wanted to stay in New York. He could have let this play out heading into 2013, knowing that free agency and the chance to test the market is right around the corner. Instead, Wright decided to make an investment into the only team he’s ever played for.
Wright and the Mets know that this is only the beginning. He’ll get his money and the Mets will get their franchise player, however this is still a team that has plenty of work to do.
The Mets have question marks in the outfield, at catcher, and in the bullpen. It’s the moves that general manager Sandy Alderson makes in the upcoming weeks that will give us a more realistic view of what’s ahead for the Mets in 2013 and beyond. They took a big step forward by making sure their foundation is firmly in place, now it’s time to build on that.
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