New York Mets: The Bobby Bonilla chain

It is easy to criticize the New York Mets for the deferred money that is being paid to Bobby Bonilla. However, that decision to defer that money led to one of the best players in team history.

The New York Mets deferred money to Bobby Bonilla was back in the news recently. When the Phillies signed Bryce Harper to his 13 year contract, that deal will still come to an end four years before Bonilla receives his last paycheck from New York. At 72 years old when that time comes, it is an impressive payday for a player who will have made his final appearance over three decades before.

And yet, for as much as those payouts are mocked by everyone, they served a purpose. By agreeing to defer that money, the Mets were able to acquire Mike Hampton from the Astros. In his only season with the Mets, Hampton posted a 15-10 record, along with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.346 WHiP, winning the 2000 NLCS MVP award.

When Hampton left as a free agent that offseason, signed in an ill-fated move by the Colorado Rockies, the Mets received a compensation pick in the 2001 MLB draft. That pick turned out to be one of the greatest players in franchise history – David Wright.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Although his career was derailed by injury, Wright was a legitimate superstar for the Mets. He was a seven time All Star, finishing in the top ten of the NL MVP vote four times. Wright was a two time Gold Glove winner and picked up two Silver Slugger awards, and was seemingly on his way to the Hall of Fame before his back gave out.

Based on bWAR, Wright was the second best player in Mets history, trailing only Tom Seaver. It is easy to see why based on his stat line, as he hit at a .296/.376/.491 clip, belting 242 homers and stealing 196 bases. Wright looked like a potential entrant in the 300/300 club, the ninth player in MLB history to reach those milestones.

While his health did not permit him to become that Hall of Fame caliber player, he made quite the impact upon the Mets franchise over his 14 year career. He will remain with the franchise even though his time as a player is over, as Wright has been named a special assistant to GM Brodie Van Wagenen.

The New York Mets decision to defer money to Bobby Bonilla worked out on the diamond. Due to subsequent moves, it allowed New York to select David Wright, their best position player in franchise history.