David Wright is hoping the same thing most Mets fans are hoping while shortstop Jose Reyes tests the free agent market: that Reyes ends up back at Citi Field next season.
“Obviously nothing is official,” Wright said, referring to reports that the Marlins have extended an initial offer to last season’s batting champion worth $90 million. “Hopefully, the organization values him the way that I value him. I think he’s one of the premier players in baseball. I think that what he brings to the team is more than just what you see on the field.”
Jose Reyes
#7 SS
New York Mets
2011 STATS
- GM126
HR7
RBI44
R101
OBP.384
- AVG.337
Unsuccessful seasons and financial woes have put the Mets' best players up for grabs. General manager Sandy Alderson said last week that no one on the team is untouchable, a statement that includes Wright. The Mets' fan favorite said his gut feeling is that he’ll remain in New York next season.
“I made it very clear that I enjoy playing here,” he said. “But ultimately that’s a decision that I have zero control over. At the end of the day, if it happens, it happens.
“If not … ” he said before pausing briefly, “I know I’m preparing to come in here and play third base next year. So if it happens, you know, it would be a surprise.”
Wright represented the club, along with Ike Davis and Lucas Duda, as the organization announced plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary season. The biggest highlight is new uniforms. The Mets will return to the retro 1962-style jerseys, including the white pinstriped home uniforms and solid grey road jerseys. They unveiled a 50th anniversary logo that will be displayed on the left sleeve.
David Wright
#5 3B
New York Mets
2011 STATS
- GM102
HR14
RBI61
R60
OBP.345
- AVG.254
The club will also get rid of the black background on the Mets’ script logo, as well as the black, blue and orange caps. Players will wear the traditional solid blue and orange cap. Other highlights include: five bobblehead dolls of Mets greats, the first being a Tom Seaver replica to be released in April, the return of Banner Day, where fans will be able to show off banners to support their favorite Mets team or players and updates to exhibits and displays in the Mets Hall of Fame.
The organization announced 15 and 20-game ticket packages and a five-game anniversary package that will be available on Cyber Monday, Nov. 28. There is also a No. 50 anniversary jersey that will be given to one fan at each home game.
The players were most enthused about changes to the dimensions at Citi Field. Work has begun to move the outfield fences closer to home plate and the fences will be lowered to eight feet.
“You ask a hitter if you want to make a park more hitter-friendly and the obvious answer is that you’re excited about it,” said Wright, who hit 14 homers last year and 10 three years ago. “From what I’ve read and what I’ve heard and seen, it’s going to play relatively fair and that’s good for both pitchers and hitters.”