Infield to the future

The New York Mets have signed two of their brightest young stars and the entire left side of their infield to long-term contracts this week meaning that David Wright and Jose Reyes will be together at Shea (and the New Ballpark) until at least 2010. Keeping both players in Blue and Orange is a big step towards creating a winner for the long haul.

On Thursday it was announced that speedy leadoff hitter Jose Reyes had signed a 4-year $23.25 million contract keeping him in Flushing until at least 2010, most likely 2011 with the club option. Reyes, 23, has been in the Mets organization since 1999 when he signed a non-drafted free agent contract and made his Major League debut June 10th, 2003 at Texas. Reyes would have arbitration eligible at the end of the year therefore the Mets saw it as a good time to lock up the All-Star shortstop long-term and Reyes had made it clear he wanted to remain in New York. As Reyes continues to develop many new fans will be able to see his great talent as he plays in a Mets uniform for the foreseeable future.

With a little less Major League experience, David Wright was signed three days after Reyes was locked up. Wright, who grew up watching the Mets' Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides and has been a lifelong Met fan, made his debut on July 21st 2004 at Montreal and got his first hit in the next game. He signed a 6-year $55 million contract keeping at the Mets' hot corner until 2013 with a club option for that year that the team has every intention of exercising. David has become the poster boy for the New Mets and is a core player in Omar Minaya's future plans for the club. He was also a starting All-Star this year and came second in the Century 21 Home Run Derby. David said of the contract: "I've always wanted to be a lifelong New York Met, and this is the first step in that direction."

As soon as we had locked up Reyes I was beginning to think Wright wouldn't be far behind and Minaya proved me right. Having both in Mets colours for the foreseeable future is great news and sends a message to everyone--fans to competitors--that 2006 is only the beginning of success for the organization.