Finally The Mets Sign a Long Term Contract

Added by Eddie Utley on April 4, 2012.

I bet you’re thinking David Wright if you haven’t heard the news. Well, it’s not Wright. It’s someone who I was not expecting until he showed more.

The guy who got the long-term contract is starting pitcher Jon Niese, 5 years for $25.5M. While he is a good pitcher and seems to be close to breaking out, he has not yet finished a full season. So far in his young career, Niese has been a .500 pitcher, but that’s been on teams where you could lose 1-0. With this contract, the Mets will control Niese for his four arbitration years, one free agent year, and then two option years. So, even if it turns out to be a mistake, someone will take a chance on him since the contract will average around $5M a year and the options are for $10M and $10.5M.

This contract could be a step in the right direction with cost control. The Mets will soon have future decisions to make with Ike Davis and Lucas Duda. Ike will be first but Duda will be right behind him, and, if they are going to be what the Mets think they can be, then the team should lock them up during or after this season.

This brings us to the 1000 lb gorilla in the room. David Wright is in a contract year, not counting the option since he can void it if traded. Wright has been the face of the franchise for years and he should continue to be that face. Wright has been injured, but, if you’re going to show the fans that you’re committed to turning this mess around, then he should be part of that.

The problems they have are two other large contracts (Jason Bay and Johan Santana). Wright should be signed to contract similar to National’s third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, 6 years for $100M. Wright has shown he wants to be here, so why not try to get him on a hometown discount? If this drags out through the year, then it’s going to continue the black cloud effect that has hung over the franchise for years. Joey Votto’s contract with the Cincinnati Reds may skew the line though, and, if Wright wants 10 years, I’d probably do it, but with some type of outs included for the Mets.

Jon Niese, congratulations. It’s about time we saw another long-term contract on this team not given to some over-hyped free agent like Jason Bay.