Major League Baseball

Report: Mets to offer Wright extension

Published May. 14, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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The New York Mets waved goodbye to one franchise player last winter. They are not about to lose another, at least not without making an aggressive push to re-sign him.

The team is quietly preparing to offer third baseman David Wright a long-term contract extension at some point later this year -- perhaps as soon as this summer -- according to a baseball official briefed on the Mets' thinking.

The Mets hold a $16 million option to retain Wright for 2013, so there is no urgency for them to begin discussing an extension with his representatives. But they are likely to do so before next winter, the official said, because if they cannot reach an agreement, the Mets would have to consider trading him in the offseason.

General manager Sandy Alderson is still assessing Wright's long-term value, and no decision has been made on either the terms or the timing of any offer. But it has become increasingly likely that Wright, 29, will remain a Met for years to come.

Alderson declined to comment on any potential contract negotiations Sunday. But he all but ruled out trading Wright this summer.

"I certainly do not foresee, under any circumstances, David being a topic of discussion at the trade deadline," Alderson said.

After going 1-for-3 in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Marlins, Wright leads the National League in both batting average (.400) and on-base percentage (.489).

Just as Jose Reyes did a year ago, Wright has repeatedly expressed a desire to remain with the Mets long-term. But several factors make that more likely to happen than it was with Reyes, who signed a $106 million deal with Miami.

The Mets always believed Reyes would sign with whichever team offered him the most money. They are optimistic that Wright's affinity for New York will play a greater role in negotiations with him.
 

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