2012 Mets Prime 9 Questions – #2

#2 – David Wright an MVP Candidate

David Wright, entering his ninth big league season, is essentially the last man standing from the Mets last season that one could say was semi-successful in 2006. That was a time when he was being led by seasoned veterans the likes of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, and Billy Wagner among others. This is now 100% Wright’s team and it is time for him to stand front and center and lead by example for a team whom nearly everyone has begun shoveling dirt over. To put it simply Wright needs to have an MVP caliber season in trying to earn this current team some respect.

With being far removed from his 2009 concussion and other injuries seemingly behind him, the fences moved in, and a decision needed to be made regarding his future with the organization Wright needs to resemble the player earlier in his career before the move to Citi Field. At the plate he needs to revert back to his strengths which was always centered on going the other way with a patient approach. Wright also needs to improve his BB/SO ratio which has trended alarmingly the wrong way for the last three seasons. The 2012 season will give a big glimpse into the future of what kind of player he will be. Wright needs to show big improvement both offensively and defensively to live up to the lofty respect he has around the game.

For the Mets to have any success or earn any respect around the game as a team in 2012 Wright must be to the Mets as Chipper Jones was to the Braves in his heyday. He needs to produce clutch hit after clutch hit, play Gold Glove defense, lead and push his teammates, and ultimately be the guy other teams say they will not let beat them but at the end of the day he ends up doing just that in some fashion or facet of the game. A tall order for a player whose career has been going in the wrong direction. Beyond all of that and dependent upon his and the team’s performance overall, trade rumors could be rampant all summer long but if the Mets were going to move Wright their leverage clearly revolves around moving him next offseason considering his contract status states he can void his 2013 $16M club option ($1M buyout) if he is traded thus making him a two month rental at this year’s trade deadline and a free-agent at season’s end should he invoke his right in voiding the 2013 club option.

Player Profile

Prime 9 Questions

#9 – Ruben Tejada and the SS Position

#8 – An Improved Bullpen

#7 – Josh Thole and the Catcher’s Position

#6 – Daniel Murphy and the 2B Position

#5 – A Resurgence of Jason Bay

#4 – Trio of Pitching Prospects

#3 – Trio of Unpredictability