New logoFor over a decade, David Wright has been the main man for the Mets at the hot corner. Over that time, Wright became the Mets’ all time leader in hits, RBIs, doubles, total bases, runs scored, walks and other categories. Sadly, we have all been witnesses to the deterioration of Wright’s body due to a multitude of injuries including Spinal Stenosis. Even with the list of injuries that follow Wright around, the Mets still plan on having Wright be a major part of the 2017 campaign. How much he will actually be able to contribute is yet to be seen. With that in mind, what are some options that the Mets could explore to potentially replace Wright going forward?

Within the organization, the Mets do hold some options at third base. Wilmer Flores has had the experience of filling in for Wright at third, with 42 games last season. And while José Reyes will most likely get the playing time this season, he is only under contract for this season. Flores is not safe long-term either, as the Mets and Wilmer had to file for arbitration this offseason. This leaves T.J Rivera, who has minimal big league experience at third, but has great offensive potential.

Many believe that Wright does not possess the physical ability to finish his contract, which is set to expire after the 2020 season. If this is the case, the Mets might look out of the organization for an option at third base. Three names immediately come to mind, Nolan Arenado, Josh Donaldson and Manny Machado. With Machado and Donaldson set to hit the free agent market in 2018 and Arenado in 2019, both are expected to earn max money. Could the Mets potentially be one of their suitors? It would rely on Wright pulling a Michael Cuddyer and offering the Mets a low buyout cost. Still, with the monster contract Yoenis Céspedes received this offseason, there may not be enough in the wallet to land either of the elite third basemen I previously mentioned.

Of course, there is a possibility that we see a healthy Wright on the field this season. Even with him being healthy, he most likely won’t see 110 games. What can Wright provide statistically? Well, his last season of over 100 games (2014) Wright posted a slash line of .269./324./374 which is far from the Wright that captured the hearts of Mets fans. He still has the ability to demolish left handed pitching though, which will always be a benefit to any lineup.

Of course, there is a possibility that we see a healthy Wright on the field this season. Even with him being healthy, he most likely won’t see 110 games. What can Wright provide statistically? Well, his last season of over 100 games (2014) Wright posted a slash line of .269./324./374 which is far from the Wright that captured the hearts of Mets fans. He still has the ability to demolish left handed pitching though, which will always be a benefit to any lineup.

Any way that you slice it, this will be a pivotal season for Wright and the Mets. The 2017 season will rely on the health of the players, and Wright is no exception. If Wright can remain healthy and still produce at a solid clip, the third base position may be safe for the next two or three years. If Wright is hurt again though, the Mets may need to take other options at third base into consideration for the near and short term future.

11 comments on “Where will David Wright’s replacement come from?

  • Brian Joura

    The Mets are in an unfortunate position here.

    One option you didn’t discuss was the possibility of picking up Asdrubal Cabrera’s option for 2018 and playing him at 3B and Amed Rosario at SS. Cabrera’s lack of range would be less of an issue at 3B than it is at SS.

    • nym

      But his lack of bat might be more of an issue.

      • Brian Joura

        The average NL 3B had a .780 OPS last year and Cabrera had an .810 mark. But that was a career-high for him. All Mets 3B combined for a .786 OPS last year and the year before that it was .719

        It’s not an ideal solution but it could work.

    • Jim OMalley

      Brian is right. Its going to be Cabrera at 3b and Rosario at ss.

    • MattyMets

      I thought of this too and like that we have an affordable option on Cabrera if he has another good year.

      The 2018 Mets infield could be completely different. Could easily go from Duda-Walker-Cabrera-Wright to Smith-Cecchini-Rosario-Cabrera. Reyes or Flores can play second if Cechinni doesn’t look up to the task, though either or both of them could be gone next year as well, not to mention TDA.

  • metphin

    The name and the answer is Evan,…Evan Longoria.
    He has the track record and the swagger to be a Met. D.Wright can go to first base and platoon with Duda, who won’t be back next year.
    The Mets have the tools to deal w/ Tampa and bring in a stud at 3b.
    The minors don’t hold the 3b of the future for the Mets, and Reyes is a stopgap at 3rd. I believe that Longoria would be to the Mets what Gary Carter was in the mid 80’s. Longoria is a proven bat, a proven leader that coupled with a star like Cespedes (Strawberry in the mid 80’s) excellent pitching staff – big 5 of today Thor, deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Wheeler (Gooden, Darling, Fernandez, Ojeda, Cone,in the mid 80’s) and the other solid elements around the team, is the winning formula similar to those great teams of the mid 80’s. History can repeat itself if Sandy would act like the old ‘Bowtie’ GM and bring in Longoria the same way Gary Carter was brought to the team back then.

  • TexasGusCC

    Gregory Guerrero is being moved to third base this year and coming stateside. In three years, he should be ready. The clock on Urena and Thompson is ticking, they better impress. Flores is a second baseman.

  • RobD

    I would love to see the Mets trade for Langoria (would prefer his sister) or Castellanos from Detroit.

  • NYM6986

    Longoria at 3B would be great but aren’t we tired getting aging stars whose better days are behind them? If he becomes the piece that throws us over the top like Carter did or Clendenon for those who go back to championship #1, then he would be worth his weight in gold and a “Ray” of sunshine for the Mets. I see Reyes getting the most replacement time there as we need some speed in the lineup and unless Legares starts hitting the cover off the ball and stakes a claim to CF we have no one else even willing to steal a bag.
    In the meantime for gods sake spend the money on that last reliever and stop pinching pennies. Attendance is soaring and a championship is actually a possibility and not a spring training fantasy. #Letsgomets

  • Ike

    The answer might be sitting right in front of us if they don’t believe they can afford one of the elite guys and trading for 1 would wipe out the farm system what about Michael Conforto going back to his original position he was a 3rd baseman maybe that is the answer

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  • Metsense

    Rosario is the 5th best prospect in baseball so he should be arriving by 2018. The Mets have an option on Cabrera for 2018 and in all likelihood it will be picked up and he will spell Wright at third base. If Wright is forced to retire because of injury then his $20M will be added to the other $60M plus of salary that is coming of the books in 2018 and the Mets can go shopping!

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