In a lost season at Citi Field, this move would be the no-brainer of no-brainers.
Let David Wright play.
Of course, being that it’s the Mets they are messing up this home run move.
Wright, as you know has been rehabbing in the minor leagues as he attempts his latest and possibly his last comeback. He’s doing fine too, after an 0-14 start, went 7-22 before an 0-5 the other night.
And now, since the minors are ending come Monday, the Mets are bringing Wright back to the team and having him rehab with the training staff.
So the no-brainer obviously would be activate him when he’s ready as the rosters expand on Saturday.
It would give the fans something to cheer for on the days Jacob deGrom doesn’t pitch and help fill the house the Mets last 13 games at Citi Field this season.
You would think this is would be Wilpon windfall, because they will have more fans excited to come to the park and have their best ambassador back in the fold.
But before you break out the old No. 5 jerseys, the Mets are saying hold off. Assistant general manager John Ricco told reporters the other day, “It’s unrealistic to think he would be activated anytime soon.”
Okay then.
You see, if the Mets activate Wright they would have to pay him around $3.2 million for the month of September and then also have a 60-day deductible next season if Wright goes back on the DL. And since Jeffrey Wilpon made it clear that they have no plans on reinvesting the money into the payroll, Wright is essentially an out of pocket expense.
And that is the problem.
Over the years, I have defended the Wilpons in their frugal ways. They spent money, just not wisely and didn’t want to get burned again. Heck, they even made the huge mistake activating Yoenis Cespedes for that one game after the All-Star Break only to see him go on the DL a day later, costing them millions in insurance money. It happens, but future decisions should not be predicated on past mistakes.
This is inexcusable. If Wright is able to play after Saturday – and all indications is that he is – then he needs to be activated. If he isn’t the best player in Mets history, he certainly is in the top three and maybe the most popular.
Wright may not play every day if he comes back. He may only play a few days a week. The Mets still have Todd Frazier at third to fill in and can use Jose Reyes there too.
It’s not about just winning games here. It’s about doing the right thing for a player who has meant so much to this organization.
Wright needs to go out on his own terms and that includes being activated when he thinks he’s ready to play.
Money or no money.
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