MIAMI —- The Mets have already begun “informal” conversations with David Wright about his future, general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday, and have made re-signing the All-Star third baseman and Cy Young award candidate R.A. Dickey an offseason priority.
Alderson said Wright and Dickey represent the Mets’ “core” players and need to be retained. The Mets hold options on both for 2013, but Wright and Dickey can become free agents after next season and have said they won’t negotiate with the team once next season begins.
The fact the team’s owners, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, last March reached a positive settlement with the trustee for the victims in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, coupled with the sale of shares to minority investors, has the Mets in position to sign both players, according to Alderson.
“If you had the uncertainty that existed last spring, it would be difficult to make those long-term commitments,” Alderson said before the Mets faced the Marlins in the regular-season finale. “That’s a fundamental shift. The fact we’re talking about it and talking about retaining our players in a different tone than we were last year should be a positive signal.”
Alderson indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if new contracts with Wright and Dickey were completed “quickly.” But if the Mets can’t complete deals with the players, Alderson said it’s possible trades could be explored.
“Getting these resolved early, and if we were able to do it positively, that would have a salutary effect on everything else in the offseason,” Alderson said. “There are lots of reasons it would be great if these got resolved soon.”
mpuma@nypost.com