Mets To Try And Trade David Wright?

The New York Mets brought in new management prior to the 2011 season and one of the franchise’s goals was to streamline things and bring down costs. A major part of that will be ridding the roster of big contracts as the Mets begin to rebuild things from the bottom up. With that in mind, franchise cornerstone David Wright will likely be shopped around this winter.

The 28-year-old third baseman has long been considered the rock of New York’s long-term plans, but his $15 million salary for 2012, plus an option year in 2013 at $16 million (with a buyout of $1 million) could be too much for the Mets to take right now given their financial constraints.

Sources have said that the New York will definitely explore moving Wright, and teams like the Los Angles Angels, Colorado Rockies and Seattle Mariners would definitely be interested. The Detroit Tigers are another squad that appears to have a need at the hot corner, as they look set to cut ties with Brandon Inge this winter.

When Wright signed his six-year, $55 million contract in August of 2006 he looked destined to be a bargain at that price. In 2007 and 2008, he lived up to that billing, hitting .325 with 30 home runs and 107 RBI in ’07, and .302 with 33 home runs and 124 RBI in ’08.

Then in 2009 Wright struggled tremendously, finishing the year with a .307 average but he hit just 10 home runs and only drove in 74 runs. He bounced back a bit in 2010, hitting .283 with 29 home runs and 103 RBI, but again his production dipped this past season as he was hobbled by a stress fracture in his back. In 2011 he hit just .254 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in 102 games.

It would make sense for the Mets to move Wright at this point if they really need the financial relief. While he could have some good years left, the Virginia native will turn 29 in December and will be in line for a new contract soon. Unless the team plans to ink him to a long-term deal, it might be best to move him in an attempt to restock the farm system.