David Wright made it to one World Series in his career, during the Mets’ surprise run in 2015, when they lost to the Royals.
The retired third baseman believes it won’t be such a rare occurrence going forward, thanks to the spending prowess of owner Steve Cohen — and nothing displayed that better than the recent signing of Juan Soto to his record-setting contract.
“I think it’s huge,’’ Wright said of the team’s ability to land the biggest free agent in the game. “It seems like the will to win within the organization is incredible. It’s a ‘Win at all costs, do whatever you can to win-type mentality.’ That’s something I love, that’s something the city loves, that’s something the fan base certainly loves.”
And it’s changed the perception of the Mets throughout the sport since Wright last played in 2018.
“The goal is not just set to win one championship,’’ Wright said. “It’s ‘Let’s go on a run and win multiple championships.’ And that’s a mindset and an attitude I think any player or any fan can get behind.”
While Wright was around Queens for some of the free-spending days under the Wilpons, they never finished higher than 12th in team payroll over the final seven years of his career.
When they made their unlikely run to the World Series in 2015, the Mets were 19th in payroll, according to Spotrac.com, a far cry from being fifth overall in 2011 — or first under Cohen each of the past two years.
“It certainly shows the level of commitment to win, but on a more important note, I think it’s not just for show,’’ Wright said. “Ownership and this front office want to put a winning product on the field and a product that’s gonna entertain and win a lot of baseball games. I couldn’t be more excited for 2025.”
And beyond, since the team overachieved last season by reaching the NLCS in David Stearns’ first year as president of baseball operations.
“It should be a fun ride,’’ Wright said of what’s to come under Cohen and Co. “When you have a front office as good as they’ve been thus far and ownership willing to go the extra mile to put a winning product out there … that’s how the Mets become a destination. It’s when you do these types of things and prove year in and year out you’re gonna win. For me, you couldn’t ask for anything more than knowing each year, you come to spring training and you’re gonna be one of the favorites to win the World Series. I think that’s the most exciting thing about the era we’re in the middle of right now.”
