The New York Mets don’t expect to see David Wright playing for them again this season, this time a neck injury keeping him off the field. All they have to do now is wait for the 2017 season, and work out a back up plan in case he can’t play too much, which seems highly likely.
Wright has only 75 games over the last two seasons, including 37 in 2016 before he underwent neck surgery to repair the herniated disc in his neck, which was obviously going to keep him out for most of the season, while the Mets battle to make the playoffs for the second straight year.
Wright is still owed $57 million with a deal that has no options or buyouts, keeping him on the team through the 2021 season. Wright made the All-Star game 7 times from 2006 to 2013, batting .301 with a .887 OPS and 181 home runs. However, just getting him on the field for 100 games a season seems like something the Mets would be happy with.
His neck isn’t the only problem. Wright has spinal stenosis, which means an extensive pre-game workout routine consisting of physical therapy, exercise, and some minimal batting and fielding drills, a process that takes a few hours to complete. He’s limited in what he can do on the field, and the number of innings and plate appearances he can take. Healthy or not, the Mets can’t really count on him anymore as a day-to-day player. He also turns 34 in December.
The Mets settled for Jose Reyes, who has been doing surprisingly well, posting his best OPS since the 2011 season, his last on the Mets, when he won the batting title. He has been spending most of his time at third base, but he’s no long term solution, at least no the one the Mets are hoping for. Overall, the Mets have plenty to think about when it comes to their infield next season, with both Neil Walker and Lucas Duda possibly gone this offseason. Wilmer Flores isn’t bad to have, but the Mets will probably have to venture into the free agency market and find themselves a reliable replacement.