A Met for life? It just feels Wright
The Mets' David Wright rounds the bases after his first-inning home run on Opening Day at Citi Field against the Marlins. (Apr. 5, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Like his boyhood hero, Cal Ripken Jr, David Wright would like to be one of those rare players who spends his entire career with one team.
"That's my goal because it doesn't happen too often," the Mets third baseman said Wednesday after a morning round of batting practice on a back field of Digital Domain Park. "Obviously, it's the ideal situation, but I want to win as well."
Coming off the worst of his eight major-league seasons and under contract for $15 million this year, the 29-year-old Wright has been the focus of speculation that he might be traded by the Mets.
The Mets hold a $16-million option on Wright for 2013, but it belongs only to them. If Wright is traded, the option disappears, a wrinkle that could impact his trade value.
Wright said he feels a loyalty to the organization that drafted him. "I'd love to be here, love to see this thing get turned around," he said, but added, "I wouldn't want to be here unless the baseball people wanted me here."
Wright said he doesn't pay much attention to trade rumors or think about long-term plans.
"It's hard to think about extensions and where you're going to be," Wright said. "I'm good at fantasy football GMing, but I'm not good at baseball GMing."
Wright said that despite the Mets' big drop in payroll, he always feels a renewed sense of hope during spring training.
"There's a lot to be optimistic about the youthful energy we have," he said. "There are guys trying to make a name for themselves."
He said he started early again, with workouts and batting practice three days a week, "to get that soreness out, so when spring training really begins [mandatory reporting date for position players is Feb. 27], you can hit the ground running."
Wright suffered a stress fracture in his back and played in only 102 games last season, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 61 runs. He said he has had no X-rays or MRIs for his back since last season. "The back feels real good," Wright said.
Wright said his production fell off last season -- he had career lows in almost every statistical category on both offense and defense -- because "I got away from the things I had success with in the past."
In particular, he said he tried to become too much of a pull hitter. "There was a time when I didn't feel one of my strengths was pulling the ball," he said. "In my head I thought I needed to pull the ball more, but I got out of what I was used to doing."
He said he didn't think Citi Field's larger dimensions before this season were the reason he tried to become more of a pull hitter, but added that with the shorter fences this season, "It looks like you will be rewarded for balls you hit good.
"From the looks of it, it will play fair."
Santana to throw
tomorrow.Johan Santana is expected to throw off a mound tomorrow for the first time since he was shut down after a Sept. 9 rehab start.
Santana has been playing long toss at the complex to build up arm strength and has not pitched in a major-league game since Sept. 2, 2010, because of shoulder surgery. Neither the Mets nor Santana, however, have made any promises about him starting Opening Day.
