New York Mets: What would a healthy David Wright bring to the lineup?

Once his rehab is complete, what can David Wright bring to the New York Mets lineup?

David Wright continues to progress in the minor leagues on his current rehab stint. A promotion to the New York Mets is still quite a distance away, but not an impossibility in 2018.

If Wright does make it back to the lineup, we have to ask, is there anything he can even offer this team on the field?

There’s no doubt Wright brings leadership, experience, and a little bit of nostalgia. These are all fine and dandy. They don’t create runs or carry the team up the standings.

At the plate, I have no doubt Wright can hit well enough to earn a bench spot. Then again, this may be due to the low curve set in 2018. Several members of this current year’s squad have hovered around the .200 mark. Even several starters are paying tribute to Minnie Mendoza this summer. As long as Wright is healthy, he should be able to figure it out at the dish.

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The bigger issue is defense. Wright was a Gold Glove winning third baseman in his prime. Going forward, the Mets may need to stash him at first base. His shoulder issues will undoubtedly limit his ability to throw the ball. A move to first base seems imminent.

With this, the Mets add yet another defensively limited player to their roster. Jay Bruce is a right fielder by trade, but a first baseman in the making. Wilmer Flores is another guy who can play multiple positions yet often finds a place at first base due to his weak glove. A team can only carry a certain number of players like this. When Wright returns, they may end up with yet another.

Of course, Wright’s comeback attempt is about more than winning an MVP or carrying the Mets to the postseason. Those days are over.

Wright’s return is a more selfish endeavor, and not in a negative way. He deserves to get back in the lineup. Every employee, no matter what industry, should have the right to return to work.

The undeniable downside to this is that nobody should expect much from him when he does get back in his cubicle. There’s a good chance Wright is merely another veteran past his prime alongside Bruce, Todd Frazier, and others we will see in 2019. In fact, I’d bet on it.

This doesn’t mean we should give up on Wright at all. In the right role, maybe he does have a little left in him. The Mets could certainly use a little more depth. At best, this is what the Captain can give them in 2019.

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First, though, he needs to succeed in his rehab and return to the big league roster.