New York Mets Rumors: David Wright’s Injury And Extended Time Out Could Have Team Contemplating A Big Trade

The New York Mets will be without David Wright for an extended stretch of this season, and rumors now indicate that the star third baseman’s injury could have the team looking to make a big move via trade.

Wright has been ailing with neck and back problems for the last week, and on Thursday reports emerged that he would be heading to the DL for rehab. These are the same problems that kept Wright out for a long stretch early in 2015, leading to fears that his latest injury could end up being worse than expected.

On Friday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that Wright will be out at least four to six weeks. The Mets are expected to call up Matt Reynolds as a replacement for Wright’s roster spot, but they could also be looking for a more long-term solution if Wright’s injury issues don’t clear up.

The Mets have a handful of options within the franchise, including promoting Dilson Herrera who has been on a tear in AAA, but beyond that they will likely be looking for a trade, noted Fan Duel writer Will Carroll.

“If the Mets want to make a bigger splash, Arizona would love to get out from under the contract of Yasmany Tomas. The Cuban hasn’t lived up to the hype, but could be helped (or hurt) by the influence of Yoenis Cespedes. Tomas has played more left field with the D-Backs, but could shift back in the short-term. The Mets would have to give something up and take on some cash, which could be tougher, especially if they believe Wright will be back by August. Tomas would be an expensive band-aid for the problem.”

There are some even bigger trade deals the New York Mets could pursue, Carroll added, including Texas Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar. He is undeniably talented but has been hampered by injury and held back by a talented infield pool in Texas, Carroll noted.

For the time being, the Mets are planning to send David Wright through rehab and do not plan surgery, but that could change if he doesn’t progress along as they would like to see.

Wright already tried seeing if he could gut through the injury, MLB Trade Rumors reported.

“Wright had received a cortisone shot in hopes of avoiding a DL stint for a herniated disk, but that evidently did not resolve the issue. It remains to be seen whether surgery will be required. The veteran was already attempting to play through a significant back condition that required constant care and preparation. Today’s news raises renewed concerns for a club that’s already dealing with the absence of first baseman Lucas Duda (who has been replaced for the time being with James Loney).”

There were lingering rumors last season that David Wright may be on the trade block, as he sat out an extended period after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis. The condition is a serious one that has ended the careers of other athletes, including the eldest Manning brother, Cooper, who was an NFL wide receiver prospect before being forced into early retirement.

Mets’ David Wright out for ‘extended period’ with neck, back injuries https://t.co/jTIhwa5FeY pic.twitter.com/t4dkKLNGXn

— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) June 3, 2016

If the New York Mets do end up following the rumors and making a big trade, they may look for a player with a high on-base percentage and a reliable bat. The team has been something of a boom-or-bust squad this year, paced by an NL-best 73 home runs, but at times have struggled scoring and especially with runners in scoring positions. If they can find a player who gets on base and scores runs reliably, it may help ease the sting of the injury to David Wright.

[Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images]