The Mets first move of this offseason that had to be made was signing the cornerstone of their franchise. That is finally done.
The Mets have signed their third baseman David Wright an 8-year, $138 million deal. Wright's contract becomes the biggest in Mets history surpassing Johan Santana's 7-year, $137.5 million deal. This new deal replaces the 2013 option of $16 million including it in the new deal. The contract makes Wright a Met through 2020, when he will turn 38 that December. Essentially, Wright is a Met for life.
Mets fans are relieved that this deal is done and they can finally build around the superstar at the hot corner. Wright has been the face of this team and a leader in the clubhouse. The 29-year-old was called up in 2004 and has become a mainstay at third base since then. Wright became the Mets all-time hits leader passing Ed Kranepool September 26th with 1,419 hits. 1,426 hits, 204 home runs, 818 RBI, and a .301 career batting average have made Wright one of the greatest Mets of all time...and he's not even halfway through his career.
The Mets got this one "Wright." After not bringing back Jose Reyes last offseason, the Mets needed to build the future of this team around their best player. Now that this is out of the way, the Mets can move on to their other needs. This team still has a lot of work to do if GM Sandy Alderson wants to put together a winning team.
Next up for the Mets is resigning their Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. While Dickey is 38, in knuckleball years that's basically 34. Dickey was dominant last season on his way to his first Cy Young Award with a 20-6 record, a 2.73 ERA, and 230 strikeouts. Keeping Dickey immediately turns the Mets rotation into one of the best in baseball. Dickey, Johan Santana, Jon Niese, Matt Harvey, Dillon Gee, and possibly Zach Wheeler next season would be tough to beat. Unless somebody offers the Mets a monster trade package, Alderson needs to bring back Dickey. Dickey is willing to sign for two years if the price is right.
The Mets major concern right now is their outfield. After releasing Jason Bay, nobody knows what the Mets outfield will look like in 2013. The team isn't expected to bring back Andres Torres, who was nowhere near what the Mets hoped him to be when they acquired him from the Giants. Lucas Duda struggled at the plate and in the outfield and it's not expected for him to be an Opening Day starter in 2013. That leaves the Mets with a depleted outfield. Alderson needs to go out and get some outfield help. While the Mets don't have lots to spend, they need to go and make a couple of moves to bring in at least two outfielders. This team needs another power bat to complement Wright and Ike Davis. There aren't many guys available in the Mets price range, but they are going to need to find a couple of bats to fill the void in their outfield right now.
Signing Wright to an extension was a step in the right direction, but this team is far from a contender at the moment. Here's what this team needs to do this offseason:
1) Resign R.A. Dickey.
2) Sign/trade for a couple of outfielders including a power bat. (Justin Upton)
3) Sign/trade for a catcher that can produce more on offense than Josh Thole.
4) Get some bullpen help.
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