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The Mets saved face yesterday and can start going knuckle to knuckle in a new set of negotiations.
With David Wright — the face of the franchise — agreeing to an eight-year contract worth $138 million that will allow him to finish his career with the Mets, general manager Sandy Alderson can arrive Monday in R.A. Dickey’s hometown of Nashville, Tenn., for the winter meetings with visions of knuckleballs dancing in his head.
Dickey and the Mets have discussed a two-year extension, according to sources, that could keep the NL Cy Young Award winner signed through 2015. But concurrently, the Mets continue to gauge his trade value.
Dickey is signed for next year at $5 million. He is believed to be seeking another $25-30 million over two additional years with the Mets’ offer closer to $20 million.
Wright’s new contract is subject to him passing a physical and ends a process that carried on for several weeks, beginning with Alderson’s visit to the third baseman’s home in Virginia in October.
The deal will carry Wright, who turns 30 this month, through 2020 and gives the Mets a cornerstone on which to build. Wright is the franchise all-time leader in hits (1,426), RBIs (818) and doubles (322), and has nine consecutive seasons of 10 or more home runs.
“This is a great step forward,” manager Terry Collins said. “It shows the organization steps up when they have to. It’s great for the Mets and our fans. I had all the confidence in the world it was going to get done before spring training.
“With David not signed, I don’t know what the circumstances would have been. But it would have been an uncomfortable feeling for a lot of guys involved, so I just think it’s a great move for everybody. Hopefully we get R.A. done and get ourselves ready for the season.”
For his part, Dickey was thrilled with the Wright signing.
“Belated congrats to my friend DW,” the pitcher tweeted last night. “He exudes professionalism. couldn’t have a better face of the franchise.’’
Wright’s deal, in terms of overall dollars, surpasses the $137.5 million contract Johan Santana received before the 2008 season and ranks as the richest in franchise history. The Post reported Wright’s camp believed it was important the third baseman’s new deal surpass Santana’s in overall dollars to establish a franchise benchmark.
The new money involved encompasses seven years and $122 million beginning in 2014. Wright’s $16 million deal for next year was torn up and replaced with the same dollar amount, making it an eight-year contract.
Wright, according to sources, felt significant progress was made in talks with the Mets on Thursday, but there was still a gap that existed. That gap closed around 1:30 a.m. yesterday, when the Mets agreed to lower the amount of deferred money in the deal. In exchange, Wright agreed to let the Mets determine which years of the contract will have deferred payments.
“[Wright] wanted to give the Mets maximum flexibility,” the source said.
A source also described Wright’s contract structure as a “bell curve” — his salary will rise to a crescendo near the middle of the deal and then decrease near the conclusion.
In an Internet report, Collins mentioned the possibility of making Wright the official team captain. But when contacted by The Post, the manager seemed less certain about the idea.
“I’m not sure,” Collins said. “Plus, I’m not sure if it’s my decision.”
➤As expected, Mike Pelfrey ($5.68 million), Andres Torres ($2.7 million) and Manny Acosta ($875,000) were all non-tendered for next season, making them free agents. Mets officials have indicated the team may try to re-sign Pelfrey and Torres at discounted rates.
mpuma@nypost.com