David Wright: 7 Teams That Would Be Very Interested in Trading for Him

The New York Mets are in the middle of a "remodeling project." I don't consider it a total rebuild due to the lack of direction they seem to have. Suffice it to say that every player is under the microscope during this phase. Enter the Mets 3B David Wright.

Here's a man who has lived, breathed and bled Mets baseball since he was a boy growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, the hometown of one of their minor league affiliates. As a Mets player, he has been underrated among the Mets greats.

Statistically, he ranks among the top five all time in runs, hits, home runs, RBI, at-bats, batting AVG and is sixth in stolen bases. He has been a great player for this team. Unfortunately, he represents the old regime. He is a throwback to the Omar Minaya days, despite being drafted prior to Minaya taking control of the team.

The new front office has made it clear that no one is sacred, even Wright. In August, they reportedly placed him on waivers to measure the league interest in him. That is usually done as a precursor to an offseason trade.

In this case, it was rumored that the Colorado Rockies were interested and tried to pick him up through waivers before the Mets took him off the waiver wire and held onto him for the duration of the season. It's rumored that they are shopping him again for this offseason.

If that's the case, the Mets may not get much back for him, as he is unlikely to sign an extension just to be traded at some point next year. The team has an option on him for the following season, but he would likely waive that option to hit free agency should he be traded. He has one full year left on his contract with an option, unless he remains a Met and signs that extension.

The trade value would be lower than most think due to that and his 2011 performance. He posted career lows in AVG (.254) and RBI (61). His 10 home runs rank second lowest in his career. Still, there will be interest despite all of this.

There will be teams looking for him to rebound from his back injury and hope for him to love their city enough to sign an extension. Let's take a look at several teams that not only would benefit from his services, but would have a tremendous interest in him.  

No. 1: The Colorado Rockies

Though this list is in no particular order, as far as interest is concerned, the Colorado Rockies have to rank first on this list. The Rockies were the team that publicly showed the most interest in acquiring Wright. It's rumored that they will be aggressively pursuing him.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes, 

"

"Opposing executives expect the Rockies to be aggressive in their pursuit of the Mets' David Wright. The Mets have said he's not available, but that could change if they commit to re-sign free-agent shortstop Jose Reyes for big money. Wright, however, is not without his issues. Though just 28, he has dealt with a back injury that limited him to only 102 games last season. Wright is owed $15 million next year with a $16 million club option for 2013 that can be voided if the Mets trade him. Hitting anywhere but Citi Field would likely boost Wright's numbers."

"

While this quote from Renck is from Oct. 5 and the Mets may not be pushing all of their chips to the middle of the table for Jose Reyes, it brings up a interesting thought. If Wright hits anywhere but Citi Field, it may boost his numbers.

The Mets are moving the dimensions in at their park, and this move should help players like Wright, but the memory of the ghosts of the original Citi Field may still be hard to shake. He would most likely welcome the sight of Coors Field. The past three years, he has posted a .320 AVG there.

This is considerably higher than his .279 AVG at Citi Field. Don't think that difference has gone unnoticed on him and the Rockies. This is a team that wants him, and he will be enticed by what they can offer. The question is, what would they get back?

For one solid year, it's doubtful they would trade a top-tier minor league prospect and a package of players, like the Giants did giving up Zack Wheeler for Carlos Beltran. It's more likely they will offer a handful of minor league players or perhaps one major league ready player like Drew Pomeranz.

How likely that would be is up for debate, but when one considers Wright's contract factoring in and the potential of him basically being a "rental player," it's understandable.

No. 2: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are in a precarious position. They are a talented team that in just about any other division would be contending for a playoff spot. Unfortunately, they play with the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Blue Jays finished 81-81. They were a .500 team that finished fourth in a tough division. They will be looking to make a splash this offseason. They may not have a ton of money to spend on free agents, so they could use their solid farm system to upgrade their major league roster.

Among the deep farm system, they have Kyle Drabek who they acquired in a trade for Roy Halladay. Drabek came to Toronto as the center piece of that deal and has not delivered as of yet. In AAA this season, he struggled with a 7.44 ERA in 75 innings. He's still young and has a high upside.

If the Blue Jays are willing to give him up, they would get a hitter in his prime to protect Jose Bautista in the lineup and help compete in that tough division. The Mets could get a pitcher who projects to be a front-line starter at some point in his career.

The Blue Jays also have a young catcher in Carlos Perez and a pitcher in Deck McGuire that have massive potential. Any combination of these three would be a good deal for the Mets. All three have talent and could be impact players on a major league roster at some point in their careers.

No. 3: The Arizona Diamondbacks

The next team that could be interested is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite winning their division this past season, they still need to improve. There are reports that they are looking into the trade market for a bat like David Wright.

They have a good bat as an option there in Ryan Roberts, but he has played other positions and could be moved in order to make room for Wright to benefit their lineup. When added to Justin Upton, Wright makes for a formidable and potent combination in the NL West. What could they offer the Mets though?

They have several prospects in the minors that the Mets could use. There is shortstop Chris Owings who could be groomed as a potential replacement for Jose Reyes. They also have pitching prospects Josh Collmenter, Jarrod Parker and Tyler Skaggs.

Among all of these, Collmenter may be the closest to making a major league impact next season. Arizona holds him in high regard after his postseason performance, so prying him off their hands would be difficult.

The Mets would have to offer Wright and perhaps another player for a package of these prospects that would include Collmenter. Otherwise, they may only be interested in a straight-up deal, and the Mets would only get one pitcher from trading the face of their franchise.

No. 4: The San Francisco Giants

Another team that has a need for a good bat in the heart of their lineup is the San Francisco Giants. While there are no rumors connecting the Giants to Wright, it makes sense that the longer the offseason goes, the more desperate the Giants will be to get offense.

In their case, they have a 3B in Pablo Sandoval, but he has experience at 1B too. He can slide over to that spot if it meant that he would get some protection in the lineup. David Wright would also possibly be reunited with Carlos Beltran, should he re-sign with them.

The big question here would be what would the Mets want in return? They acquired Zack Wheeler from them already. The Giants would be a bit leery in trading another top tier prospect to the Mets. They would be better off trading a MLB ready player who is not as highly touted.

They have a few. There is catcher Hector Sanchez, and Francisco Peguero is a viable candidate for the outfield. As far as pitching, they could offer either right-hander Waldis Joaquin or left-hander Eric Surkamp.

Any combination of these players would be beneficial to all parties. The Giants need offense for their solid pitching staff. They don't have a lot of money to spend on free agents, and, therefore, will not be in position to get into any bidding wars.

The trade market is the best option for them. David Wright would make an immediate impact.

No. 5: Philadelphia Phillies

For all of the true Mets fans, what I am about to say will not go over well with you. I can hardly type it myself. But another team that would have a need and a desire to trade for Wright would be the Philadelphia Phillies. Here's why.

They have a need to upgrade at the 3B position. Placido Palanco only hit five long balls in that hitter-friendly park that is Citizen's Bank Park. He hit for a .277 AVG and was not what they thought he would be the second time around with them.

Their biggest bat, Ryan Howard is out for an extended amount of time next season. They signed Jim Thome for insurance at 1B, but they need more offense to supplement the loss of Howard, Raul Ibanez and possibly Jimmy Rollins.

With the option of Wright, they get the gold glove that Polanco provides as well as the big bat that they need in that park. Wright would certainly benefit from that park. The Phillies have a few options to offer. They have two solid young pitchers in Antonio Bastardo and Vance Worley, and they could deal and a more experienced Kyle Kendrick that they can add to the package.

If the Mets want a position player, they have Domonic Brown in the outfield who has drawn interest from the Mets before when they were shopping Carlos Beltran. The big question is if they are looking at Wright as an option. That answer is "yes."

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, they have discussed it internally. That's an important part of this. If the Mets would deal him within the division is the other major question. Sandy Alderson is an old school GM. He would not help the biggest rival unless that rival bowls him over with an offer.

Even then, it's hard to see it happening. The fact is, though, that the Phillies are interested. Are the Mets? 

No. 6: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Now that most fans reading this are angry at me for mentioning "trade" and "Phillies" in the same slide, let me move on to a better trade partner for the Mets. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a team that's looking to reclaim the A.L. West. They have lost it to the Texas Rangers for too long.

They have pitching, but they need offense. New GM Jerry Dipoto recognizes this and states that they will try to get in on the Pujols and Fielder sweepstakes. If they fail to acquire one of those players, they may turn their focus to the Mets and Wright.

Even if they do sign one of them, they still may seek a trade for Wright as further protection in the lineup. This is not a one-sided courting, though.

According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Mets have already been "focusing on" the Angels roster. In particular two outfielders, Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos. They also have pitchers Garrett Richards and Tyler Chatwood as possible options too.

This trade makes sense on both parts. The Mets could get young talent and not have Wright in the same league, while the Angels get a veteran that is in his prime and can play great defense.

Look for former Mets pitcher, now Angels GM Jerry Dipoto to look at the teams he has prior connections with—one is the Mets. It's a good working relationship that could work out well for the Mets too.

No. 7: The Detroit Tigers

The final team I have in mind for this list is the Detroit Tigers. They won their division and advanced to the ALCS until they were beaten by the Texas Rangers. They may feel like they need something to put them over the top.

That something is David Wright. This is a road they went down before, though. In May, there was speculation and rumors that they would pursue this option. The Detroit News' Lynn Henning even reported they would be inquiring about Wright.

They felt like they needed an upgrade over Brandon Inge and an extra bat in the lineup to protect Miguel Cabrera. That was in May. Nothing has changed since then. They still need an upgrade at third and more protection for Cabrera.

The Mets are still trying to unload that salary and get younger. The Tigers are still equipped with young talent to offer for a player like Wright. The only thing that has happened between now and then is the Tigers came close to the World Series and fell just short.

That may make the front office that much more hungry to make a move. Sandy Alderson would be wise to take advantage of that. The Tigers have some solid pitching prospects in their ranks. Among them are Casey Crosby, Andy Oliver, Lester Oliveros and Charlie Furbush.

Any package of these arms would be a great move for the Mets. As for Wright, he would be in a position to make the playoffs for the next few years. 

Final Assessment

As I mentioned in the opening slide, David Wright bleeds Mets blue and orange. It would be a huge shock to him to be traded. The hard truth is that he may be better off. Personally, I like him. I always have.

With that said, however, the Mets are not going anywhere for a few years. That's a big reason Jose Reyes is so eager to shop himself on the free agent market.

David Wright is a solid player who plays the game the right way. Outside of New York and the Mets fanbase, baseball fans are well aware of his talent and every team would benefit from his presence in the clubhouse and in their lineup.

The Mets are blessed by the baseball gods to have him, and the organization has squandered the window they had with his talent on their roster. If they care about him as much as he cares about them, they would do one of two things.

Either sign him to an extension or trade him. By signing him, they show him that they believe in him and want him around for the rebuilding years in order to enjoy the fruits of success after they are done. By trading him, they show they want a fresh start and they respect him enough to extend his championship window with a contending team.

If I were a betting man, I would say they don't trade him this offseason, he becomes more disgruntled and they ship him off in July for much less than they could get right now. I'm not a betting man, so I wouldn't put money on that. Judging by the Mets standard of operations, it's the most likely scenario.

The issue I have with that is they will drag this drama out for another eight months before there's a resolution. Do the fans and the player a favor, Mets, make up your mind in the next couple of months before pitchers and catchers report.

That way, the team knows where they are starting from in spring training. They deserve that much. Get this done or publicly assure Wright that he's not leaving. Either way, do it soon.

Read more of my Mets work on Mack's Mets or follow me on twitter @nyfaninsjersey