David Wright free agency: Mets will reportedly offer 3B around $100M

The New York Mets will open negotiations for an extension for star third baseman David Wright with an offer in the range of $100 million, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman cites a source as indicating that the Mets are aiming to make Wright a "Met for life." The Mets have an option on Wright that they can pick up at the end of October, but it appears as if they may spend the month negotiating on an extension. Wright declined to engage in contract talks during the regular season, fearing that it may become a distraction.

Wright had a huge first half of the season in 2012 before tapering off a bit in the second half. But he still finished with a .306 average, 93 RBI, and 21 homers. He's played all nine years of his career with the Mets, and while he's approaching the point of the typical start of a downward arc, New York is going to aggressively try to keep him in a Mets uniform. Wright has told Heyman in the past that he was "extremely optimistic" about working something out.

SB Nation's Mets blog, Amazin' Avenue, calls the rumored extension a no-brainer, writing:

Such an extension would be a no-brainer for the Mets. Wright is still one of the best third basemen in the game, and he turns 30 in December. While his production between 2009 and 2012 wasn't as good as it was from 2005 through 2008, Wright is still one of the best hitters at the position, and he made big strides with the glove this year, to boot.