Why contract extensions of New York Mets’ David Wright, R.A. Dickey cannot materialise?-MLB Part 2
Alex Rodriguez, right now, is going through a lean period. Naturally, the Yankees cannot afford this, because they shower on him a huge amount of money as salary every year.
It is unacceptable for them that such a highly valued player becomes a weak-link in their failure. In the recently completed season, the Yankees could not hold the Detroit Tigers at bay during the American League Championship Series, mainly because their
offence floundered. Being a major component of it, Rodriguez stands responsible for a fewer number of runs scored by the Yankees in crucial games against Detroit.
The worst part is that the Yankees have awarded Rodriguez the right to veto any trade in the contract, which means that the third baseman can enjoy a series of mammoth salaries in the remaining years of his contract without even contributing much offensively.
Earlier Rodriguez was a part of the speculations which stated that the Yankees wanted to trade him. Later it revealed that such an eventuality was not possible unless Rodriguez wanted it himself.
The whole story, indirectly, spread warning signals for the rest of the clubs that they should be extremely careful while they determine the worth of a player.
The impact that the story can have on the Mets as they appraise and decide about the value of Wright is visible. The delay in the declaration of the contract renewal demonstrates that the Mets have taken a leaf out of the episode of Rodriguez.
The financially weak condition of the Mets further lessens the possibility that the Mets meet the expectations of Wright and Dickey during the talks about the contract extension.
Realistically speaking, unless Wright and Dickey show an unprecedented level of loyalty and the desire to remain a part of the club, the Mets are going to play without them after 2013 season. They do not have the money worth more than $20 million to give
these two individuals on the roster every year in the form of salary.
The best the Mets can do under the constraints is that they trade them and fill vacant spots in the outfield and the infield.
Both Dickey and Wright have an immense value currently.
They can force interested clubs to sacrifice their top players in order to have Dickey and Wright on their rosters. In essence, the Mets enjoy an opportunity to address their loop-holes on the roster without making any cash outflow.
However there is an underlying fear that if Dickey and Wright struggle next year, their trade value will come down.
As a result, the Mets will be repenting as to why they did not send them to other organisations when they could be priced high and could be used to acquire quality prospects in exchange of them.
In short, by exercising the options on Dickey and Wright, they have risked their chances to make the appropriate use of their current worth.
Regardless of the chances, the Mets’ General Manager Sandy Alderson is fairly confident that he will finish deals with Wright and Dickey in the offseason.
"I fully expect that David Wright and R.A. Dickey will be here not only next year, but long term," Sandy Alderson said. "We're committed to trying to bring those two back. I hope they'll both be back and I'm excited about the possibilities they will be."
Every day, without any announcement from the Mets regarding the contract renewals, is strengthening the notion that Dickey and Wright are going to test free agency in the upcoming offseason.
It will be interesting to see which organisation they choose in case they depart the Mets.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: