Report: David Wright, Not Jose Reyes, Could Land On Mets' Trading Block
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Mets will have some tough decisions ahead if they indeed decide to slash their payroll up to 30 percent this offseason, as owner Fred Wilpon indicated in last week's Sports Illustrated.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is expected to entertain offers for Jose Reyes before July's MLB trading deadline. Though according to John Harper of the New York Daily News, the hot-hitting shortstop "may be changing Alderson's mind."
Good news for Mets fans? Maybe not.
A major league scout told Harper if Reyes re-signs with New York, Citi Field devotees may have to wave goodbye to another homegrown star instead.
"If he has to get down to a number, I think he'll trade the other two (Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez) at the deadline, then deal (David) Wright in the offseason," the scout, who worked previously under Alderson, said. "The way Reyes is playing, he has too much value to trade at the deadline for what Sandy can get in return."
It's a proposal that's sure to raise the blood pressure of Mets fans everywhere. Wright's No. 5 jersey has been a favorite among the Flushing faithful since his debut in 2004.
Reyes, a free agent after this season, would be merely a rent-a-player if traded. Wright, on the other hand, is under contract for two more years, including a $16 million club option for 2013.
"Look at their club and look at the other shortstops around the league, and trading Wright makes more sense," said the scout. "You can play (Daniel) Murphy at third and he'll give you enough offense there. But you can't replace Reyes' offense with (Ruben) Tejada."
The scout added: "Really, there are only a couple of shortstops in baseball that are on Reyes' level, and Sandy is all about value, so I think when it comes down to it, he'd rather re-sign Reyes and trade Wright."
But don't go stashing away your Wright memorabilia. According to Harper, "Tuesday night a Mets source insisted the club hasn't had internal discussions on that subject, indicating that Alderson isn't ready to start shopping anyone just yet."
Mets fans: Who would you trade, Reyes or Wright? Fire away in the comments below...
