David Wright has spoken with and exchanged texts with Michael Bourn in an attempt to lure him to the New York Mets.

"I just wanted to let him know that he would be a great addition here and he'd obviously be welcomed here," Wright said.

"I talked to him a couple weeks ago, and I told him, 'You're always in the right place at the right time, your work counts,'" Wright said. "I've always had great respect for him and the way he plays the game and have always kind of chatted with him when he gets to third base.

"I just feel he's a hard-nosed player. I wanted to be there to answer any question he might have and let him know that with some of the young arms that we have and the young talent we have, we are not far off."

The Mets, who had the 10th-worst record but hold the No. 11 draft pick, are appealing to have that pick protected — as the top 10 selections are — if they were to surrender free-agent compensation.