Josh Hamilton vs. David Wright: Why Wright Is the Smarter Extension Candidate

New York Mets third baseman David Wright leads the National League with a .398 batting average and .489 on-base percentage. 

There's a $16 million option for next season remaining on his contract. But according to the Wall Street Journal's Brian Costa, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is beginning the process of putting together a long-term extension for Wright. 

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton leads the majors with a .400 batting average, 18 home runs and 44 RBI.

If he's able to maintain the lead in each of those offensive categories, he'll be the first player to win the "Triple Crown" since Carl Yastremski did it for the Boston Red Sox in 1967. Only 13 men in the history of the sport have been able to pull that off. 

Hamilton's contract will expire at the end of the season, making him a free agent. As he continues to add to his spectacular numbers, pressure increases on the Rangers to work out a new deal with Hamilton before he hits the open market. 

Of the two situations, the Rangers face the greater dilemma. Hamilton is undoubtedly worth big money, and some team (Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan lines up the potential suitors) will give it to him. But how much of a long-term risk should the Rangers be willing to make?

Hamilton has averaged fewer than 130 games over his four seasons with Texas. That doesn't figure to change as Hamilton gets older and his already injury-prone body continues to take a pounding. The Rangers would also have the luxury of moving him to designated hitter in the later years of a contract.

But if Hamilton's seeking a nine- or 10-year deal along the lines of what Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder received this offseason, it's understandable if the Rangers are hesitant. 

Then, of course, there's the more unsavory aspect to Hamilton's situation—his past with drug and alcohol abuse. That history might not be so troubling if not for two recent public relapses, the last of which may have prevented a contract extension from being worked out by now.

It's worth pointing out, however, that Hamilton suffered these relapses during the offseason and didn't miss any games because of them. Perhaps that's strong proof that Hamilton needs the structure of a baseball season and the support group of teammates and coaches to stay on the right path.

Additionally, as Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal points out, there's only so much the Rangers would be able to do as far as putting any sort of provisions in a new contract. As we saw with Delmon Young's recent incident in New York, MLB took the matter out of the Detroit Tigers' hands and issued discipline based on what was outlined in the collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. 

Meanwhile, these sorts of questions don't surround a new contract extension with Wright. The Mets aren't going to receive a late-night or early-morning call about an off-the-field indiscretion (sure, it's always possible, but Wright's never gotten into any trouble).

Wright knows he's the face of the franchise and takes that role seriously.

Look at how he kept quiet during the whole imbroglio between team ownership and Bernie Madoff. He didn't bellyache about the outfield fences at Citi Field, even when they were affecting his numbers. And he hasn't tried to negotiate a new contract through the press. 

More importantly, on the injury front, Wright has averaged more than 140 games over the past four seasons, though a stress fracture in his back suffered last year might be a reason to give the Mets pause.

But he doesn't have a long history of injuries through his career, nor does he play a higher-impact position like the outfield. 

The Mets even have an easier negotiation, because the Washington Nationals already set the bar for third basemen with Ryan Zimmerman's six-year, $100 million contract extension.

Does this mean the Mets will have to overpay for a player who's going to be 36 or 37 by the end of his deal? Yes, but that's the price of doing business. Especially at a position like third base, where there just aren't that many good ones. 

Wright is a smarter bet for a contract extension, and the Mets are wise for trying to address this before it gets to the point Hamilton's situation has. Why even risk the possibility of losing him when the opportunity is ripe to make the right move?

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