Wilpon: Trading Wright, Dickey Would Be Last Resort
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- We've all read the reports, rumors and speculation about the possibility of a trade involving David Wright or R.A. Dickey as the Mets stars negotiate to extend their contracts with New York.
But any such trade would be a last resort for Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who would rather have the players return -- even if they remain unsigned.
"We hope to have a resolution," Wilpon said Tuesday at an outreach event in Far Rockaway to aid Sandy victims, according to the team's official website. "And you know what? Part of that resolution might be that we get deals done with both of them or one of them. Part of that might be that they both come back and play for us next year. They're both under contract. This is not a free-agent situation. This is not an arbitration situation. They're both under contract. We have all the flexibility in the world with that."
Wilpon said his "first preference" would be re-sign both All-Stars, adding that his level of optimism has increased.
"They're both important to the franchise and fan favorites," he said. "So we'd like to keep it that way."
Wright is slated to earn $16 million in 2013 while Dickey will make $5 million, though Mets general manager Sandy Alderson hopes to rip up those contracts for a pair of extensions.
Dickey has been the hot name in trade speculation, though it's a possibility the subject could turn Wright's way too if he remains without a long-term deal. With many variables in the market, going into the season with one or both in their final year would be a huge gamble for the Mets. Wright has said he wouldn't be interested in conducting in-season negotiations.
A two-year deal might get the job done for Dickey, according to multiple reports. As for Wright, the prospect of extending him is "50-50," according to the New York Post.
"I know there's some misconception in the marketplace about what's going on, and that's because we're not talking and the other sides are not talking," said Wilpon. "I don't want to get into where we are, what offers have been there, what haven't. The process is ongoing. It's a good process right now."
So a trade would be Wilpon's last resort -- but does that make baseball sense? Be heard in the comments below...
