“I think that his future is independent of club performance,” Alderson said of Wright at the Mets’ spring-training complex yesterday. “There are certain decisions that one takes that are a function of where a team is at a particular time and so forth, but if there’s anybody on the team whose performance and future is independent of the club’s performance, I think it’s David’s.”

It didn’t take long for the questions about David Wright‘s future to be discussed. A year ago, it was Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran that became season-long topics. This year, it will be Wright, but the stakes are higher since these questions surround the face of the franchise.

Debate it all you want, but I think it was never a question as to who the face of the Mets has been in recent years. Since his debut on July 21st, 2004, Wright has been the New York Mets. He’s everything you want in a superstar- good looking, marketable, personable, says the right (no pun intended) thing and, most important, loyal; sometimes to a fault. You won’t find him on the back pages with whispers of drug use or a DUI mug shot. Wright even recently revealed that he selling his $7-million dollar penthouse and returning to his roots in Virginia. He is almost too down-to-earth to be a superstar. I always remember sitting by myself in the St. Lucie press room early one spring training morning when Wright walked in. He doesn’t know me from Adam, but he stopped and said hello. You think Jeter, A-Rod, Reyes, or Beltran would have done the same? Doubtful.

You have to wonder if a continued marriage between Wright and the Mets is realistic, or worth it for both sides. If Jose Reyes is collateral damage of the fallout from the Omar Minaya/Madoff era of Mets baseball, Wright might be the sacrificial lamb. With Jason Bay and Johan Santana‘s contracts firmly ensconced on the payroll for the next two years, Wright’s $16 million dollar option becomes more of an issue than it should be. How reasonable is that salary for his services? Do you realize the Rangers’ Michael Young made more than that last season? Yes, Wright, who has the sixth highest OPS+ of any third baseman in the history of baseball, makes less than Young. He’s actually the third highest-paid player on his team behind Santana and Bay.

A lot of Wright’s production came between 2005-2008, when he was a player that you could count on for 25 HRs, 100 RBI, and a batting average of .300. The Wright of 2009-2011 has been a complete wild card. One year he is a singles-hitting average hitter, the next a high-strikeout slugger, and last year an injured hybrid of ’09 and ’10.

What is a fair contractual AAV? Ironically, Fangraphs WAR converted to Dollars lists his value at $16 million, $16, million, and $8 million the last three seasons. Considering he played only 102 games last year, that is right on par with the previous two.

The problem is the eyes don’t put the same value on Wright. Even the statistical dollar valuations indicate he’s about half the player he used to be. That might be better than most, but it’s a downward trend that would scare any team into committing long-term for him into his thirties. He is not the same hitter and his defense has been atrocious. Even worse, it appears the burden of this franchise has taken his toll; almost making him appear older than the birth certificate. The team’s margin of error is so thin now they can’t afford to add a bad contract when they are in the back half of the Santana/Bay fiasco.

On the flip side, and I have said this before, maybe the key to Wright returning to his pre-2009 form is a fresh start elsewhere. Virginia born and bred, wouldn’t it make sense for the Orioles to bring him home? If I were Wright I would salivate hitting in the cozy confines of Camden Yards. He also would be away from the ownership mess and expectations that come with being the face of the New York Mets. He could go back to doing what he does best - play baseball.

Even if Wright returns to his 2008 form, would it be wise to sell high? Even with his performance the last three years, the Mets are looking at doling out a contract in the same vicinity of what Reyes received from Miami. Adrian Beltre received 5 years and $80 million from Texas, so 7 years and about $120 million for Wright is what I could see him commanding.

The shame of it all is this shouldn’t even be a debate. In the proper environment, Wright could flourish and be himself (see 2006). David has proven that he is a great when he is part of the group, but not so great when he needs to be the main offensive cog. I suspect the continued development of Daniel Murphy, Ike Davis, and Lucas Duda will make Wright more expendable as the season goes on. Even if they pick up his option, there is a great chance he will be traded this coming offseason.

There are so many questions about a long-term marriage between David Wright and the Mets. All signs point to both sides believing it isn’t in either of their best interest. That may make you angry or sad, but it’s a reality Mets fans must accept.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Baltimore Orioles, David Wright, New York Mets