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Mets 3B David Wright appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night, which you can watch by clicking here.
During the eight-minute interview, Wright had the following to say regarding…
…not making the playoffs, and how he is dealing with it…
“Nightmares, every night. Nightmares. You know, it’s one of those things, it’s tough to say now, but in the long-run, hopefully, it helps us out. It’ll build character. Will learn how to deal with adversity. I mean, throughout those last two weeks we were getting ripped pretty good and we learned to deal with that.”
…the talk of Alex Rodriguez taking over his job…
“Just seeing the way that Boston celebrated, seeing the winners of World Series, first and foremost I want to win. Am I saying that I would change positions for a guy like Alex Rodriguez? If the front office called me and said, ‘Hey, look, we want to make this team better and you’re involved,’ I would absolutely want to sit down and listen. But for right now I am the third baseman of the New York Mets, and I’m going into the 2008 season prepared to be the third baseman.”
…whether the Mets need to add a high-profile free agent…
“I think we have a good, young, core group of guys…But, I hope we go out and make some improvements. I think the pitching side kind of fell apart down the stretch, and we could use another big bat - maybe in the outfield.”
The David Wright Foundation is hosting their Third Annual Do the Wright Thing Gala on November 15 in New York City.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go here.
That kid has the life!
Did anyone hear Omar’s comments on SNY concerning this issue. If you read between the lines, he did not dismiss going after Arod. If fact, his comments dovetail with D. Wright’s and strongly suggest that the Mets are going to be big players in the Arod sweepstakes. The conversation that Wright is speaking about will happen and sooner rather than later.
I’m very encouraged by what Steve Popper wrote in an article today:
“While Mets’ sources insist that the team has the financial resources to bid on a player as costly as Rodriguez, the organizational meetings held Tuesday didn’t bring them any closer to a decision on whether to actually pursue him.
One official said that moving Wright from a spot he has been successful at made little sense and dismissed the criticism that his best position would be somewhere other than third base. Wright had 21 errors this past season and has 75 in his four seasons there, a number that might seem high until you compare it to the likes of Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, who had 88 errors in his first four full seasons at third base.”
I think Wright’s defense is way undervalued by many fans here. He’s a better defensive third baseman right now than A-Rod. He shouldn’t have to move to accommodate him. Let A-Rod move to 2nd base this year and to first after Delgado leaves if he really wants to come to Queens..
I agree with part of this. I think it’s definitely true that Wright is a better fielder than he’s given credit for. Most of his errors are on throws, and Delgado is at least partly to blame on some of these. Is he better than ARod? I don’t think so. ARod had his battle with the yips, but ever since has been pretty darned good.
I think the argument against Rodriguez rests on 1)Can Wright play another position 2)Will a 30,000,000 salary create jealousies, etc (I’m sure the Mets can handle it from a financial point) 3)Is ARod a clubhouse malignancy?
In the all the defensive metrics I’ve seen considered to be the most reliable, Wright is ahead of A-Rod this year. That includes ZR, RZR, and OOZ (fielding out of zone). A-Rod’s past rep as a gold glover is just that — in the past. He earned it as a SS. At third base, he is no longer a gold glover. And many think he’s incapable of even going back to SS having grown bigger and heavier in recent years.
What’s more, A-Rod’s fielding will probably decline from here on in, while Wright’s will probably only get better, having steadily gone up since he was a rookie.
The only reason one might prefer Wright to switch to second is he’s probably more flexible and adaptable than A-Rod is. He’d play a better 2nd base than A-Rod would. But as for third base, Wright right now is the superior glove man.
While I would agree with you that most of David’s errors are on throws, I wouldn’t say Delgado is to blame for many of them. If anything, Delgado has saved David a ton of errors by coming off the bag to catch a bad throw and then using a swipe tag to get the runner.
I know Carlos is only about an average defensive first baseman, but the one thing he does very well is come off the bag to snare wild throws.
“Let A-Rod move to 2nd base”
lol, thats a good one!
Jon Stewart on Arod:
Stewart: I say, ‘No A-Rod.’ And I’ll tell you why: He seems like bad medicine. He seems like a very good player, but when he gets on a team, it’s like he weakens the team. He’s like the Dick Cheney of baseball. (Laughter) … It seems like he’s a bad chemistry guy, and chemistry is important, is it not?
At least I know I can still trust the Daily Show to agree with me. Why doesn’t anyone else see this?
ok, I like David Wright, dont get me wrong “but he will listen to what they have to say”? D Wright isnt a 10 year veteran, if the Front office says were signig Alex Rodriguez and Your changing positions, then you say whatever is best fo rthe team and do it happily. David wright is in no position to have a say. DO you think Jose Reyes had a say when he moved to 2B for Kaz Matsui? and if the Mtes Let David have a say in the matter, then they are even bigger fools.
This team needs to improve, and improve big, and if Arod can jumpstart that improvement, then so be it.
Here is my suggestion, and i know most of you are going to rip me for this, but its not a half bad idea.
Sign Arod
Trade David Wright and 1 or 2 prospects to Minnesota for Santana (because thats the kind of deal that will be needed to get Santana)
Sign Luis Castillo
If you do that you have the #1 Power Hitter in MLB and you have one of the top pitchers if not the top pitcher in MLB.
Its not too far fetched.
No you’re the fool. Can’t you tell he was coached to say that by the Mets front office? Last season he said he would move for Arod. And Omar just had a quote that said he wants to discuss new additions with players involved.
DW is smart and classy guy. He would indeed move positions for a HOF player in his prime.
Trade D Wright??? The face of the franchise? Wow…just wow.
Let’s be very clear herre. Wright is one of the 2 or 3 most valuable players in baseball right now given his performance (best player in the NL last year), age, and contract status. Maybe you would argue in favor of Alber Pujols but I can’t think of anyone else.
So, you would trade him for one year of a pitcher? Any pitcher? And you would add prospects?
Wright is not a 10 year veteran and should do what he is told huh? Did you hear dog and fat mike say that on the radio yesterday so you have to repeat it now as your own opinion?
!
Trading David Wright is as bad an idea as a Mets fan could possibly come up with.
There is nothing wrong at all with what DW has said. Its common sense the Mets would talk to him if they were to make a move, and they already say they would. Its not like he’s demanding to have a heads up on every move the Mets make.
Just from a practical standpoint, it would be good to know (though he may not know himself) where else he can play and where he can’t play. If DW felt he could play the OF, but knew he wouldnt be able to handle 2b, but he and the Mets never talk about it and they go out and sign another OF and ARod, well then they have a problem. Its definitely something worth discussing.
And from a common courtesy standpoint, it sure would be good to have DW find out from the Mets that they want him to move, than to have the media tell him where he’s playing ala Piazza’s move to 1b.
“he was coached to say that by the Mets front office”
correctamundo
I also loved David’s response to John’s question about whether ARod is a “chemestry buster.” I believe it went something like “52 home runs is a lot of chemestry.” I have some agreement with cpai76, but Wright isn’t the guy you trade for an ace as far as I’m concerned, it’s Reyes. ARod, I believe, would welcome, and be more than capable of continuing to play shortstop. Reyes you deal and set up the best left side of the infield in, perhaps, the history of the game.
I dig Jose, but I dig Wright, ARod, and Oswalt as my opening day starter more.
Don’t any of you have any loyalty to the guys who have turned this team around? Don’t you realize how long it has been since the Mets have had two players like Wright and Reyes? This isn’t fantasy baseball. Doing what’s best for your franchise isn’t always about signing the best players for the most money.
There’s loyalty, and there’s reality.
Reality is, and Wright said it himself last night, that we are in desperate need of pitching.
Reality is that the Free Agent pitching market is virtually bare, especially of Ace-level relievers.
Reality is that we don’t have the package of A-level prospect that will land us an Ace.
Reality is that ARod, the best all-around player in baseball, is available.
Reality is that we’re one of a handfull of teams who could sign him. Reality is that if we signed him, Wright or Reyes could be moved.
Reality is that Wright has proven himself a more mature, clutch ballplayer that has become the face of the franchise, and the fan reaction at his departure would be extremely negative.
Reality is that Reyes is quite popular, but his failings down the stretch, along with some rumors of off-the-field issues, makes him more tradeable.
Reality is that moving Reyes would net us an Ace starter, be it Santana (with contract extension), Oswalt, or Haren.
Reality is, at least my reality, that we are a better team if that were to happen, and ONLY getting ARod, and ONLY trading Reyes makes that happen.
Reyes deserves a lot of support. But ultimately, I root for the laundry.
Reality is that ARod is a selfish attention hog who cares about money only and has never won a world series, and has a track record of making teams worse.
Reyes has never won a World Series either, FYI. Same with Wright. And actually, if I’m not mistaken (and I’m not in the mood to fact check this), the only player on the Mets last year who has won a World Series is Glavine, and a lot of help he was.
Not saying I want the Mets to trade Reyes, I don’t, but this whole “ARod has never won a championship” thing is ridiculous.
Arod has been in the league 12 years. Reyes and Wright have been in the league about 3-4 each. That’s one of the reasons why no one is saying that they should make $30 million a year. I’m not saying that Arod is not a great player becuase he has not won a ring. However, he is not worth $30 million becuase he has not one a ring.
I keep emphasizing this but no one seems to understand.
Let’s say Torrii Hunter makes $16 million a year on the free agent market. Pretty close to what I think he’ll get.
Thus, in order for Arod to be worth $32 million, he should be twice the player Hunter is. That means, based on last years numbers, that he shoud hit 90 2b, 56 HR, 214 RBI, 38 SB, 190 R, and win a Gold Glvoe at two positions.
If he can’t do that, he should at least be able to assure my team that they will make the World Series. he can’t do that either. I’m not saying that he’s not the best player in the game, maybe ever to play the game. I’m saying that based on the market for every other player, he’s not worth that kind of money. Ask me if I would pay $20-25 million/yr for him, and I probably would. But for some reason A-rod is in a completley different market from everyone else. Until his price goes down, or everyone else’s comes up, he isn’t worth it. You cannot justify him making double any pitcher in baseball.
No, no loyalty, and little understanding of what building a winning team is all about. These are not interchangeable parts on your rotisserie team, and you don’t address a team’s weaknesses by trading away its strengths.
…. jeez, for being a “huge” Met fan, Stewart didn’t exactly let David off easy last night — those were some tough questions. Not exactly 8 minutes of comedy.
Seemed more like what SportsCenter’s “Budweiser Hot Seat” should ask …
Also, Stewart didn’t ask him anything about his foundation.
While I actually didn’t care, I agree. Wasn’t he there to talk about his foundation? I seriously don’t think he went on there to spend all of his time talking about the ‘collapse’ and A-Rod. He seemed like a pretty good sport though.
That’s a good point about the foundation. Bad form by JS not to give that a plug.
I think he was acting as a Met fan and got caught up in the interview! Shoulda thrown the plug in at the end at least though!
John Stewart rarely talks much or at all about what his guest is advertising, especially the entertainers. Actors never talk about their movies on his show and Wright got the same treatment. I suspect they are aware of this before they go on. I think The Daily Show is upfront with their guests. For example, when Chris Matthews got absolutely roasted, I think it was pretty clear that he was forewarned he was about to be grilled.
I say, ‘No A-Rod.’ And I’ll tell you why: He seems like bad medicine. He seems like a very good player, but when he gets on a team, it’s like he weakens the team. He’s like the Dick Cheney of baseball. (Laughter) … It seems like he’s a bad chemistry guy, and chemistry is important, is it not?
Thank you
On Tuesday, my wife and I went to see Springsteen in concert here in LA. We had floor (general admission) tix, and she got within 20 feet of him. She loved it, of course – and reminded me that before we got married (20 years ago) she said that the part about “forsaking all others” didn’t apply if she had the chance with Springsteen…
Then, Wednesday, watching David Wright, she said “I see why he’s the next Jeter — great game, always says exactly the right thing, and a really cute smile” — but, noticing my growing anger, she quickly smiled, stuck the knife in and said, “But I’d still throw him out for Springsteen.”
I’ve told my girlfriend that she’s allowed to cheat on me with one person and one person only: David Wright. And if she somehow manages that, she has to get me some Mets memorabilia out of the deal. I’m rooting for it to happen…