New York Mets: 10 Reasons Why David Wright Is Worth the Risk of a Big Extension

As David Wright's contract is dwindling down to its final final few months, the Mets are faced with the difficult choice of trading him, re-signing him, or letting him walk away.  After a few incredible years of production followed by periods of injury and slumping, Sandy Alderson and his team have to decide if Wright is worth the risk of a long-term extension.

Reflecting on his time as a Met, the answer is clearly a yes. Here are the top 10 reasons why.

He Started 2012 off Hot

Through the first four games of the year, Wright is hitting .586 with one home run and four RBI along with a .647 OBP.  Though it's an incredibly small sample size, it's hard not to be impressed with the fast start Wright got off to.

And it's not just getting hit, it's how important the hits have been.  On Opening Day, his RBI single was the only run driven in by either team, and the following game, Wright's home run paved the way to a Mets victory. Big hits in big situations are something the Mets have lacked in recent years.

Lack of Depth at Third Base Around the MLB

While Wright has struggled at Citi Field and has been injury prone, there are not many options at third base around baseball of equal or higher caliber to David Wright.

In a division loaded with third base talent (Hanley Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Ryan Zimmerman), if Wright is healthy, he is the best of all of them.

Around baseball, only Miguel Cabrera is a significantly better hitter at third, and in the field Wright could compete with anyone.

He Is the Most Marketable Player on the Team

With Jose Reyes gone, a quick scan of the seats around Citi Field will show one thing: a whole lot of David Wright merchandise.

With his tremendous play on the field and great personality off it, it is easy to see why many fans and advertisers alike love David Wright.

Severing ties with Wright would be losing the "face of the franchise," the once in a decade player that seems impossible to hate, even to opposing fans.

He Makes Catches Like This

He dives into stands, catches fly balls with his bare hand, and gets dirtier playing third than a pig rolling around in mud.  With defense like that, how could you not want him signed to a long-term extension?

He Adds to the "Homegrown" Image

As ESPN Mets beat writer, Adam Rubin, tweeted the other day, the Mets started EIGHT homegrown players in their series opener against the Nationals.

While that is extremely unusual for the Mets who typically spend in the offseason on free agents, it was exciting to see all these guys who went through the minors together playing at the big league level.

With Wright still around, it gives hope to guys in the minors that they too can make it without some big name free agent taking their place, and hopefully with some better years and a few championships down the line, he can be the Mets version of Derek Jeter.

He's the Team Leader

The only Met still on the roster since 2004, David Wright is definitely the Mets leader in the clubhouse.  Having played through the good years (reaching the NLCS), and the bad years (the ugly collapses), Wright has seen it all in his Mets tenure, and deserves the chance to right the ship.

By signing him to a long-term extension, Wright would have the chance to prove that he is a winner, a chance he deserves.

He Is Still Young

Only 29 years old and not due to turn 30 until December, David Wright is still considered young in baseball years.  While his next contract will be played out in his 30s, it is still very tangible to believe that Wright still has five to six strong years left of baseball.

The Mets have made far worse choices with far older veterans (the name Luis Castillo still makes me cringe). Why not roll the dice on a homegrown talent like Wright?

He Is a .301 Career Hitter

At .301, David Wright has the 11th highest batting average of all active players, and ranks 168th in Major League history.

He also has 184 career home runs, only 16 shy of 200.  With a lot of baseball left to play in his career, it is quite possible that Wright could reach 400 or 500 home runs.  With a .300+ average and 400+ home runs in his career, it would be hard to not consider Wright a Hall of Fame possibility.

He Will Break Nearly Every All-Time Mets Hitting Record

He's second in batting average behind John Olerud, fourth in home runs and less than 70 away from Strawberry, only four RBI short of first, seventh in games played, second in runs, third in hits, and first in doubles.

Already in so many Mets' top 10s, it's very possible that Wright will lead the Mets in every significant hitting statistic some day. How could you not resign him?

He Plays for the Right Reasons

In good times and bad times, through injury or weather, if David Wright can be out on the field, he will be there. He doesn't dog it when things start going sour. He played with a broken back for three weeks. He gives 100 percent effort every time he steps out onto the field.

Further than that, he's a great teammate, never sells anyone out, and even did a "My Wish" ESPN project to help a child fighting cancer. Those are the kind of guys you want in the locker room.