In a season marred by injuries, inconsistencies, major trades and financial troubles there haven’t been many constants for the Mets in 2011.
Although David Wright had his share of the injury bug (missing 58 games due to a stress fracture in his back), his presence on the team has been a constant.
Wright has been put through the ringer this year, and as a result, has come out of it a better player.
Wright had to deal with injuries (and mind you it was he who collided with Ike Davis in Colorado that led to Davis going on the DL) to himself and to major parts of the team (Jose Reyes, Davis, Angel Pagan, Daniel Murphy and Jason Bay to start the season).
Wright also had to deal with the Carlos Beltran trade and how it affected the lineup. Beltran provided protection in the lineup. The only protection Wright gets nowadays is from the surging rookie Lucas Duda.
Don’t forget about what Fred Wilpon had to say too. Wilpon took shots at his so-called ‘franchise player,’ saying that Wright is a god player, but not great by any stretch.
Yet, here is Wright continually providing a presence in an otherwise meddling lineup full of wet-behind-the ear youths (Duda, Josh Thole, Justin Turner and Ruben Tejada) and struggling vets (Bay and Pagan).
This has not exactly been a healthy environment for Wright to succeed. Yet, Wright is only getting better as the season winds down.
Prior to going on the DL in May, Wright was batting only .226 with six home runs and 18 RBI’s. Since his return, Wright is batting .304 with four home runs and 21 RBI’s.
Wright is also flashing the leather as he’s been spectacular in the field as well.
Perhaps it was Wright’s injury that was for all to blame in him struggling earlier in the year. There seems to be a sense of calmness and easiness to Wright’s game these days. He seems looser, more agile and more confident.
So, while the Mets may tumble and take their lumps for the duration of the season, Mets fans should have their faith restored back in Wright. He is healthy, hitting, fielding and providing a glimmer of hope.
Wright is a potential HOF. It is great to see him back to his old ways. From a practical point of view, Wright would be the perfect person to trade this winter. He would get the most return of anybody on the roster and it would solve the problem of how to fit Murphy (with Lutz or Satin in waiting) into the lineup. From an emotional point of view, I would never trade a future HOF that came up through my system and is the face of the franchise. Wright seems to cherish this role and I would be surprised if he ever goes to free agency to test the market. It seems the Mets and Wright are stuck with each other and I’m not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing.
Your right MetSense. Wright is a wonderful player and a class act. But there would be no shock if Alderson trades him, and strike while the iron is hot. I dont expect it, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
Wright had to deal with Beltran being traded? What?
I am glad that Wright seems to have gotten his approach squared at the plate, but lets call a spade a spade for once please. Carlos Beltran was in the same protection-less lineup from Mid May until the time of his trade and the team performed extremely well as did Beltran.
This team won its first four games after Beltran was dealt and then plummeted into oblivion going 5-14 since.
I like David Wright but the notion of his “presence” is continually overstated. Reyes went down and this team folded like a house of card.