The Fan Hub

There’s not a whole lot to feel optimistic about around Flushing these days. The Mets lost their most explosive player to free agency when Jose Reyes signed with the Marlins, their ace may not be ready to start the season after missing all of 2011, and their owner’s financial problems precluded them from making any significant offseason acquisitions — unless Frank Francisco is enough to excite you. All things told, no one is expecting the Mets to compete for anything other than the basement of the NL East this season.

But if there is something to feel good about, it’s the health of All-Star third baseman David Wright. After suffering through his worst season of his career in 2011 thanks in large part to a broken back that limited him to just 104 games, Wright says that he spent the offseason strengthening the muscles around the bone that broke, which should mean that it won’t be an issue going forward.

In addition to that, the former Silver Slugger winner is ready to get back to his old approach at the plate, which involves going the other way more often. Although he won’t have Reyes wreaking havoc on the basepaths while he’s at the dish, Wright believes that he can get back to his old levels of production by trying to pull the ball less often, a habit that was exacerbated by the move to Citi Field and its deep alley in right center. The new dimensions (the team lowered and brought in the walls around the outfield) should make for more home runs for Wright, but the bigger change will have to take place in his mental approach at the plate.

A big season from him won’t be enough to help the Mets make the playoffs, but it could go a long way towards getting his career back on track.