David Wright is the anti-A-Rod who happens to be pro A-Rod.

Only a player like David Wright, the premier player in New York city, now that Alex Rodriguez has become a free agent, would be willing to make the concessions he has with one thing in mind, winning a World Championship.

The Mets are lucky to have David Wright. He’s shown a willingness to be a vocal leader the Mets have not had in years. While Mike Piazza will always be a beloved Met, who carried the Mets before the Wright era began, he was never fully willing to embrace the leadership role.

Wright is unselfish and accountable and respected by veterans and rookies alike. Players like this do not grow on trees, especially ones with the rare combination of being able to talk the talk and walk the walk. Amid mountains of Alex Rodriguez talk, David Wright might be the most valuable third baseman in baseball after all.

When the Mets tanked in the final month of the season, many players ran for the hills, Wright stood in the clubhouse and accepted the slings and arrows that were thrown at him from the press, and assumed full responsibility even though his performance down the stretch was solid and not the decisive factor in the Mets collapse.

In 2007, at 24 years old, in his third major league season, Wright batted .325 with 30 home runs, 107 RBIs and 34 stolen bases and has not even reached his full potential yet. Wright has a better career batting average, OBP and OPS than Rodriguez. This is not to say that Wright is a better player than A-Rod, but to highlight how good David Wright really is. Peter Gammons wrote on his ESPN blog that he doesn’t even think Wright should have to move for Alex Rodriguez.

The Mets should take Wright’s advice and focus on pitching, which is where the real weakness with the Mets lies, not offense, which Rodriguez would provide in bunches. Looking back at the collapse, the bullpen and starting pitching sealed the Mets fate, not a lack of offense.

Wright told the Associated Press today that he has been told to be prepared to be the Mets third baseman. Whether or not the Mets decide to bring Alex Rodriguez into the fold, this Mets fan feels pretty lucky to have David Wright.