Sandy Alderson to “Talk” to David Wright’s Agents

Sandy Alderson was scrambling Tuesday night to clarify his statements following a report that some interpreted as saying he was going to offer David Wright a contract extension.

Alderson told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that he was planning on having a conversation with the agents sometime during the season. Some took it to mean an offer would be made, which Alderson later said is not necessarily the case.

“I don’t want to infer that we will make an offer [or] we won’t make an offer. We expect to talk to his agent this season,” Alderson said. “We can talk about a lot of things that would come up short of an offer. I’m not trying to suggest that we’re going to make one or not make one or what have you. I’ve said we’d like to have David here long-term. I stand by that statement, but I just want to make sure the record is clear.”

Some reports say it would take a Joey Votto, $200+ million-type contract to lock Wright up. I don’t think that’s the case. First of all, I don’t think the Mets would sign anyone to a contract for that much money. Also, that is a 10-year deal; I also don’t think the Mets would sign anyone to a contract that long, nor should they. The Reds will be cursing that contract when Votto is in his late 30s.

Other reports say Ryan Zimmerman’s six-year, $100 million deal is a starting point, and that sounds about right. Wright’s deal will likely be in that neighborhood.

But what if Wright wouldn’t be satisfied what something like that and wants a mega-deal? I don’t think that will happen. There are players who will always go to the highest bidder, but I don’t think Wright is like that. He has made it clear that he wants to be a Met for life. It seems more important to him than money.

Not that Wright would accept an extremely lowball offer. I’ll bet he has a figure in mind, and if the Mets meet it, he will take it.

It’s a similar situation to Jered Weaver. Last season he signed a five-year, $85 million extension to remain with the Angels instead of eventual free agency where he likely would have commanded much more. Weaver said it was important for him to stay in Anaheim, where his parents live and attend every game. Even after Matt Cain signed his six-year, $127.5 million extension with the Giants, Weaver said he did not regret his decision.

I can see Wright being happy with a five-year, $90 million deal, which added to the final year in his current contract would amount to six-years, $106 million. Perhaps the contract would include annual option years that would kick in if he remains healthy and productive. Tim Wakefield had similar options for several years with the Red Sox.

I think Alderson would be smart to do this sooner rather than later. Mets fans want David Wright here long-term, Wright wants to be here long-term, and Alderson has said that he wants Wright here long-term (although he said the same thing about Jose Reyes). There’s no reason why this can’t get done.