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Wright Staying at Third Next Season

Valadius Nov 12 2007 03:36 PM

From the AP: ]A-Rod or not, Mets star David Wright preparing to stay put at third base By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer November 12, 2007 NEW YORK (AP) -- David Wright already started his offseason workouts -- and, yes, they're at third base. "I don't own any other gloves," the New York Mets star said with a smile Monday. Wright recently had his chat with general manager Omar Minaya and is preparing to stay put at third next season -- whether or not the Mets try to sign Alex Rodriguez. "When I spoke to Omar," Wright said, "he told me, `Be prepared to be the third baseman in 2008. That's what I took from it and that's the way I'm going about it. "Alex Rodriguez's name did not come up at any point." Wright, who won his first Gold Glove last week, had said he would like to speak with Mets management to gauge whether the team might want him to consider switching positions. Minaya obliged, and Wright appreciated the gesture, calling it a "courtesy." "I think it got kind of twisted the wrong way. By no way, shape or form do they have to go through me about anything," Wright said. "Those guys are the bosses. I just go out and play the game. "I don't keep in touch with the front office, nor should they feel obligated at all to let any of the players know what's going on," he added. "I think it's good to have that separation there. But as a fan and, obviously, as part of the team, I'm interested." One of the game's brightest young stars, the 24-year-old Wright batted .325 with 30 home runs, 107 RBIs and 34 stolen bases this year, his third full season in the majors. His .416 on-base percentage ranked fifth in the NL. Wright also won a Gold Glove despite committing 21 errors. Still, the Mets are thought to be interested in Rodriguez, the free-agent prize who played the past four seasons at third base for the Yankees. With their own lucrative regional sports network and a new ballpark on the way in 2009, the Mets are one of the few major league clubs that probably could meet A-Rod's price tag without emptying the piggy bank. But if they lure Rodriguez across town, where does that leave Wright? A-Rod, of course, was a Gold Glove shortstop before switching to third base when he was traded from Texas to the Yankees. The Mets, however, have another young All-Star at shortstop in speedy Jose Reyes. The Mets do have an opening at second base, but Wright has never played there. "If shortstop opens up, I played shortstop in high school," he said. Minaya has been guarded about the team's potential interest in Rodriguez, who hit .314 with 54 homers and 156 RBIs this season and is likely to win his third AL MVP award next week. The Mets have other issues to deal with this offseason as well. For one, they need a starting catcher after Wright's buddy, Paul Lo Duca, filed for free agency. "I have zero sense about Paul," Wright said. "I haven't talked to him in a couple weeks." New York also is waiting to hear whether Tom Glavine wants to return, retire or pitch for his hometown Atlanta Braves. "If he wants to go back to Atlanta, we'll try our best to beat him up," Wright said, adding he hopes Glavine will stay with the Mets. "I think every team, not only us, needs pitching." Wright visited kids at NYU Medical Center on Monday, and his foundation will host its third annual "Do the Wright Thing" gala Thursday night. The two-time All-Star said most fans have been supportive this offseason, even though the Mets collapsed in September and missed the playoffs. "You'll get a few people every now and then that come up and will throw in what we did wrong or what they think we did wrong. But we knew that we didn't get the job done," Wright said. "We have to accept responsibility for that. We didn't expect all offseason to go around and nobody say anything and pat us on the back and say it's all right. "It's tough to say we'll get 'em next year because we had an opportunity to get it done this year," he added.

metirish Nov 12 2007 03:48 PM

] "I don't own any other gloves," Don't own much of a third base glove either.......kidding of course. This should put an end to all future Rodriguez playing third for the Mets talk , yeah right.

Mex17 Nov 12 2007 04:02 PM

"A-Rod at SS, move Reyes to 2B" is still an option.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 12 2007 06:37 PM

And so is Rodriguez at first base.

metsmarathon Nov 12 2007 06:58 PM

Mex17 wrote: "A-Rod at SS, move Reyes to 2B" is still an option. that would be perhaps the worst of all arod-to-the-mets options...

Fman99 Nov 12 2007 07:42 PM

Wright (and Reyes for that matter) should not be moved under any circumstances. This is welcome news to me should it be more than lip service. I am fine with A-Rod at 2B or even at 1B with Delgado moved in a salary dump. Although I still rather see them investing in pitching.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 12 2007 07:56 PM

Wright will do what he's told to do.

metirish Nov 12 2007 08:36 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wright will do what he's told to do. Wright on SNY pretty much said that, it's all about doing what's best for the team. David was wearing a ridiculous looking white beanie cap.

Edgy DC Nov 12 2007 09:48 PM

metsmarathon wrote: ="Mex17"]"A-Rod at SS, move Reyes to 2B" is still an option. that would be perhaps the worst of all arod-to-the-mets options... Disagree.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 13 2007 05:18 AM

Yeah, I'd rather move Reyes to second than Wright.

soupcan Nov 13 2007 07:05 AM

metirish wrote: David was wearing a ridiculous looking white beanie cap. I saw that. What was the deal there? I missed his intro, did anybody comment on the dumb hat? He looked like he was recovering from brain surgery or something. How do you go on a studio show as a commentator/guest wearing something like that. Kids today. Although Ron Darling also looked pretty stupid in his extra thick turtleneck sweater/blazer combo. Who's dressing him?

metirish Nov 13 2007 07:12 AM

Ron looked huge in those clothes, Ed Coleman next to him went with very old looking sneakers and jeans.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 13 2007 07:29 AM

One thing we have to remember: Just because they're saying it now, doesn't mean things might not change between now and Opening Day. I think David Wright most likely will remain at third base, but don't go thinking it's written in stone. Also, how could Alex Rodriguez's name not have come up at all??? If I was having an off-the-record chat with Omar Minaya I'd certainly ask him about his plans for Rodriguez and a bunch of other specific players. Sheesh!

soupcan Nov 13 2007 10:54 AM

="metirish"] Brain surgery, am I right?

Valadius Nov 13 2007 10:59 AM

That may be the ugliest beanie hat I've ever seen.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 13 2007 11:03 AM

Rockin' Doc Nov 13 2007 11:10 AM

That is definitely a much uglier hat than the stupid white skull cap that Wright is sporting. Of course, if Wright was sporting a hat with that hideous emblem on the fright, I think I would get sick.

Valadius Nov 15 2007 02:17 PM

Turns out the beanie was to honor cancer patients.

HahnSolo Nov 15 2007 02:19 PM

And it honors cancer patients...how?

Valadius Nov 15 2007 02:27 PM

Apparently, he was at a cancer unit earlier that day, so he wore it to honor the kids. I guess because of the hair thing.

Nymr83 Nov 15 2007 02:34 PM

why can't cancer patients be given nice hats? i'd rather go cueball than wear that thing.

soupcan Nov 15 2007 02:49 PM

Geez Louise - every time I comment negatively on the tastelessness of something it turns out that 'it's for charity'. First the Citifield bricks now Wright's dumb hat. Its a conspiracy.