MLB Rumors 2012: Mets Right to Be Wary of Ryan Zimmerman's Contract

The Washington Nationals aren't going to have to worry about who will be playing third base for them for quite a while—they have inked Ryan Zimmerman to a lucrative six-year extension.

As reported by ESPN's Buster Olney, Zimmerman's new deal is worth $100 million and includes a full no-trade clause. Seeing as how Zimmerman has a reputation for being injury-prone, it suffices to say he should be very happy with his new extension.

So what does this have to do the New York Mets?

Nothing, really.

Well, unless you take into account the fact that David Wright's own deal is nearing its end. As it pertains to that reality, Zimmerman's deal could mean quite a bit.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the Mets' front office isn't exactly thrilled about the Zimmerman deal, and he speculated that it may have something to do with Wright:

"

#mets people don't seem too impressed/thrilled with $100M zimmerman deal. possibly wondering about impact on wright

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 28, 2012"

It makes sense that the Mets would use this as an occasion to ponder Wright's future with the team. His contract is up after the 2013 season, meaning the Mets are going to have to start drawing up plans to keep him in the very near future.

And the Mets will indeed have to come to Wright. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported recently that Wright is in no hurry to initiate talks:

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David Wright says he doesn't anticipate approaching the #Mets to talk extension anytime soon. Most likely will let them come to him.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 26, 2012"

Regardless of when the Mets choose to approach Wright, the question they'll be asking themselves in the meantime is if there's any way they can avoid paying Wright less than the Nets paid Zimmerman.

If the Mets and Wright were to talk right now, the Mets probably could get away with paying Wright less money. Since two of his last three seasons have been of the sub-par variety, and since Wright is coming off an injury-plagued 2011 season, he doesn't really have a leg to stand on.

He woudn't be able to confront the higher-ups in the Mets front office and demand a $100 million contract.

But this will all change if Wright goes out and dominates in the 2012 season.

When he's right (pardon the pun), he's a .300/.390/.500 guy who will hit 25-30 homers and drive in 100 runs. If Wright stays healthy and has that kind of season in 2012, it wouldn't be at all surprising if that's when he chooses to go to the Mets in an effort to talk turkey.

Even then, handing over a $100 million extension (or something even more lucrative) would carry some risk. The Mets are not overflowing with cash at the moment, and they would obviously have to think long and hard about signing a third baseman in his early 30s to a shiny new deal.

At the same time, losing Wright to free agency would be a PR disaster for the Mets.

They're not just short on cash, they're short on stars too, and they just watched a pretty good one sign with the Miami Marlins (see Reyes, Jose). They don't have much talent waiting in the wings in their farm system, so replacing Wright would not be easy if it came to that.

The Mets were going to have to worry about all of this one way or the other, but it seems they didn't anticipate the Nats signing Zimmerman to a $100 million deal. That's understandable, of course, as Zimmerman is coming off an injury-plagued season of his own.

The Nats pulled the trigger anyway. Now the question is if and when the Mets will follow suit with Wright.

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