Should New York Mets offer David Wright contract extension or leave him for free agency? - Part 2
Don’t go with hyperbole. Don’t go with his loyalty. Don’t envisage eternity in dominance. For these are just superficial and can easily fool the sight. Jump into a reality which can turn up after few years. Can he sustain his present run of form throughput
five to six more years, in case the contract extension has this duration?
Imagine as if he is two years into his new contract and season is underway. The decline which is highly probable say costs him 40-50 percent fall in performance. At the same time, the Mets will be drawing better performances from their younger lot, which
is showing so much promise.
It was by then actually the Mets will take the real pinch. Sending more than $15 million into an account of single player after very year will be the most unwanted reality. Then it will be like an attempt to squeeze blood out of stone and failing every time.
While Wright may go on to replicate his splendour for few more years, the fact he is not a right fit amidst problems the club face should be the bigger consideration.
As far as Wright’s future is concerned, he will be bracing win-win scenario during off-season. Even with Mets quitting stakes on him, by the lure of his legendary batting he can bag one of the most expensive deals of the year.
As per the initial reports, if the Mets ink new deal with him, they will be doing so as early as this summer. Provided this actually happens, it will come at the negation of an opportunity cost.
Option for 2013 the club has on Wright is a tool, which they can use to test him for one more year to see if his decline is imminent. Since this will not be invoked if the Mets conclude the contract as per time suggested by preliminary reports, they will
be leaving so many things at risk.
By using $16 million option on him for 2013, not only the recent upsurge in his performance can be enjoyed, his credentials for contract extension can also be judged properly.
Meanwhile, it will help the Mets reap benefits of years of investment being made on him. In case, he is unable to justify with his money in 2013, the Mets will have an edge during negotiations over contract extension, if that will still be a possibility
at-all.
Judging long-term value of a player requires rigorous deliberations. Instead of appeasing fans and ignoring objectivity in the process, various eventualities are put upfront and analysed.
Complexities are dissected and areas which are likely to sneak past the eye otherwise are spotted proactively. Going by this, the Mets will be looking make sure they have exhausted given options and have derived best possible performance from Wright without
discussing the contract extension.
Whatever the fate of Wright is going to be, one thing is for sure that he has left no stone unturned by the dint of his performance for getting contract extension. Groove he has exhibited is nothing short of a miraculous thrust of finesse in his hands and
emergence of immediate results.
Recovery from an injury he suffered earlier was a turning-point. Afterwards, in an all-out attempt to earn confidence of the management, he is bringing all his experience into play.
To what extent he can be successful in his quest will be known as soon as the season ends.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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