David Wright

You probably wouldn't call a player that hit .307, drove in 72 runs, and stole 27 bases a failure, but that's what many fantasy baseball players were caling New York Mets' third baseman David Wright last year.

With the way Wright was viewed before last season—one of the game's true elite third baseman—those numbers just didn't cut it.

The Mets already know that they will be without Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes for Opening Day 2010, and that means that once again, David Wright will be last man standing as far as core position players.

Yes, Jason Bay hitting behind him should give him some protection, but is that enough reason for pitchers to not go after hitting Wright or at least backing him off the plate?

Last August, when Wright was already flu-ridden and battling leg injuries, Wright was nailed by a 94 MPH fastball by Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants. 

Good teams often have a certain attitude about them, a brashness that often borders on cockiness. That is why I enjoyed New York Mets third baseman David Wright's recent proclamation that the Mets are going to win the World Series.

According to the New York Post, shortstop Jose Reyes also got in the spirit shortly after Wright's bold prediction. According to Kevin Kernan, "Reyes said over in the minor league clubhouse that there is "no doubt" the Mets can make it to the World Series and win it all."

Much has been said about David Wright's home run total in 2009.

Mets fans everywhere are wondering if Wright will have a bounce-back season in 2010 power-wise, getting his total back up to the thirties that we're used to.

Well, the Mets are trying to help (or so they think).

The hot corner was once the place of royalty in Major League Baseball.  Some of the greatest players to ever play the game manned third base, including the great Mike Schmidt, Eddie Matthews, George Brett, and Brooks Robinson.

JOHN SICKLES of MINOR LEAGUE BALL has posted his view of the Mets Top 20 Prospects, which I will gladly share with you and make some comments on his choices. My comments will be in italics.

Top 20 New York Mets Prospects for 2010

There are several interesting player comparisons we can look at in the first few rounds of 2010 fantasy drafts.  This season seems more muddled then normal, with very few clear-cut selections for fantasy owners to make due to injuries or epic struggles in 2009.  One of the interesting debates right now comes in the second, with David Wright (ADP 14.40) currently going a selection before Carl Crawford (ADP 15.17), on average.

David Wright had a very bizarre 2009 season for a few reasons, mainly his low HR and RBI numbers, his extremely high strikeout number, and his first stint on the disabled list.

In 2007 and 2008, Wright had 30 and 33 home runs, respectively, but he only had 10 in 2009.  He joined the 30-30 club in September of 2007 and had a career high HR total in 2008, but both years saw the Mets eliminated on the last day of the season.

Provided Jason Bay passes his physical, he will become a Met next week, and he will be their left fielder.

But where will he hit?

The most logical place for him is 5th, with David Wright hitting 3rd and Carlos Beltran hitting 4th, being that, as of right now, Carlos Delgado is not in the Mets picture for 2010.

Another right-handed bat does give David Wright some protection in the lineup. Hopefully Wright's power numbers will improve, but as long as he's productive in driving in runs, to me it doesn't matter how the runs score.

According to internet speculation, the Seattle Mariners are willing to at least explore the idea of moving prized young starter "King" Felix Hernandez this winter. The thinking is that they may not be able to lock him up long-term.

And, well, the M's just happen to be in need of a third baseman—assuming Adrian Beltre doesn't return. Meanwhile, the Mets desperately need pitching.

It's a match made in heaven, right? I mean, neither player has a no-trade clause.