I don't know the exact rule, but since David Wright has no say or power in such an exchange, I can't imagine it is any different than him saying he would move to left field for a scoop of chocolate ice cream, or than Aaron Heilman saying he prefers to start - these guys have no say, so it can't be considered tampering.

And if it is tampering, it is not the illegal kind. It would be tampering with his own front office. Like Delgado giving his two cents to the FO when they traded for Green last year.

"Does a statement like this have to come from management to be considered tampering?"

Yes, it does.