Mets Season Preview: What can we expect from David Wright this season?

Rich Sparago, Staff Writer

Perhaps the best approach to David Wright’s 2017 season expectations is to plan for nothing and be pleasantly surprised with anything. It’s hard to know if Wright will play in 2017, since he suffered a shoulder impingement that shut him down indefinitely during Spring Training. The impingement was diagnosed as being related to his back and neck conditions that cut short both his 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Wright signed an eight-year contract after the 2012 season, during which he posted a triple slash of .306/.391/.492. He also hit 21 home runs and drove in 93 runs in the 2012 season. It seemed reasonable to sign Wright, then not quite 30 years old, to a long-term deal. Not only was he productive, but he was also the face of a franchise in the midst of a rebuilding process and clearly a fan favorite.

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Sandy Anderson generally does not favor extended term contracts, and Wright’s case in exactly why. Injuries can sideline the player, but the team is still on the hook for the player’s salary. For perspective, Wright is owed $67 million through the 2020 season. This will definitely impact the Mets’ financial flexibility.

So back to the original question. Wright will likely not be the Mets’ regular starting third baseman at any point during the 2017 season. If he does return, he’ll need time off between starts due to his physical condition, so a platoon role may be the best scenario. It would be difficult to put numeric expectations on Wright’s 2017 season.

The Mets and Wright appear to be heading for a crossroads. With Wright’s salary being an albatross, and the likelihood of his returning to his All Star quite low, the two sides may need to work out some type of compromise. Maybe the Mets buy out the remaining years of Wright’s contract at a reduced rate, or perhaps Wright accepts an advisory position within the organization.

Either way, the sad truth is that Wright’s best days appear to be behind him, and the Mets are facing the “time to move on” decision much soon than they had anticipated.