Mets on the Wright track
Veteran third baseman inks $138M, 8-year deal; Walden to the Braves
NEW YORK, N.Y.— David Wright and the New York Mets agreed Friday to a$138 million, eight-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The deal, the richest in franchise history, replaces Wright’s $16 million salary for next season and includes $122 million in new money, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.
A homegrown fan favourite and the face of the franchise, Wright is the club’s career leader in several major offensive categories including hits, RBIs, runs and walks.
Wright is to attend teammate Daniel Murphy’s wedding in Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend, then travel to New York for a physical. The contract with the All-Star third baseman probably will be announced at next week’s winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., the person said.
Wright, who turns 30 on Dec. 20, would have been eligible free agency after next season. The Mets also are trying to reach a deal with Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, who can become a free agent after next season.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson had said that signing Wright and Dickey to multi-year deals were his top priorities this off-season. Alderson, however, would not rule out trading Dickey in a deal that could upgrade the roster.
Wright batted .306 with 21homers and 93 RBIs last season as the Mets went 74-88 and finished fourth in the NL East for the fourth straight year. He also had a .391 on-base percentage to go with 41 doubles and 15 stolen bases.
Wright has made six All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves, compiling a .301career average with 204 home runs and 818 RBIs in 81/2 major league seasons. He has often expressed his desire to play his entire career with the Mets.
Wright, who had a base salary of $15.25 million this year, appears poised to sign a contract comparable in total compensation to the big deals handed out this year to star third basemen Evan Longoria and Ryan Zimmerman.
BRAVES TRADE FOR WALDEN: The Braves have traded Tommy Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels for former closer Jordan Walden. The 26-year-old Hanson set a career high with 13 wins this year but his 4.48 ERA also was a career worst. The right-hander was 45-32 in four seasons with the Braves. Walden had 32 saves in 2011, then lost his closer’s role to Ernesto Fri-
eri and was 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA and one save this year. He became superfluous when the Angels agreed this week to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with Ryan Madson. Walden gives Atlanta another power arm for its bullpen. His fastball has been closed at close to 100 mph, and he had 48 strikeouts in 39 innings this year.
ROYALS GIVE GETZ $1M: The Royals and second baseman Chris Getz avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing a $1.05 million, one-year contract that includes up to $150,000 in performance bonuses. Getz, who made $967,500 last season, batted .275 with 17 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 64 games last season. He spent three stretches on the disabled list, including for a fractured left thumb that ended his season on Aug. 17.
PARK RETIRES: Former major-leaguer Chan Ho Park is retiring after a career spanning nearly two decades in the United States, Japan and South Korea. Park was the first South Koreanborn player in the Major League Baseball. Park holds the MLB record for most wins by an Asian pitcher, going 124-98 with a 4.36 ERA. He was an All-Star in 2001, when he went 15-11 with a 3.50 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TIGERS LET SCHLERETH WALK: The Tigers have failed to offer Daniel Schlereth a 2013 contract, allowing the left-hander to become a free agent. The 26-year-old had a 10.29 ERA in six games this year, then went on the disabled list April 21 because of left shoulder tendinitis. He made 11 rehabilitation appearances in the minors. Schlereth was 4-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 73 games over three seasons for Detroit.