Mets Extend David Wright

Third baseman David Wright is already the career leader in most offensive categories for the New York Mets. Early Friday morning, he and the Mets agreed to a contract extension that will all but ensure Wright winds up taking over the lead in the rest of them.

Oct. 3, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) at bat against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. The Mets won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Wright and the Mets have agreed to a seven-year, $122 million extension which, when added to what’s left of his existing contract, means Wright is owed $138 million before his contract with New York is over. When looked upon that way, it’s one more category that Wright now holds a franchise record in: the richest contract in club history.

Wright was a supplemental round selection by the Mets (38th overall) in the 2001 draft and wasted little time in making an impact once he reached the major leagues, establishing himself as one of the game’s best young hitters. He struggled to adjust to the much larger dimensions when the Mets moved into CitiField, but enjoyed a great season in 2012 that resulted in a sixth-place finish in the NL MVP balloting.

Wright compiled a .306/.291/.492 line last season; his best performance since 2008. The biggest reason for his success at the plate was a strikeout rate and a walk rate much more in line with where those numbers were during the earlier years of his career. When the fences came in at CitiField, Wright’s approach at the plate improved as did his numbers.

With the extension done with Wright, he joins pitcher Jonathan Niese as the only Mets under contract beyond the 2013 season. New York is negotiating an extension as well with pitcher R.A. Dickey, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement.