Dickey has become THE topic of discussion at the winter meetings
According to sources the New York Mets have talked to at least eight teams, Royals, Orioles, Rangers, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Nationals, regarding the possible trade for National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey.
The Nationals reached an agreement with free-agent Dan Haren earlier today so scratch their name off the list.
Unless Alderson lowers the asking price, look for Dickey to be pitching for the Mets in 2013.
The Red Sox are looking for pitching but balked at giving up outfield prospect Jackie Bradley Jr. and shortstop prospect Xander Bogaerts.
The Red Sox passed on that deal and well they should have.
The Royals covet pitching as well and the Mets have asked for outfield prospect Wil Myers.
Myers, Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year in 2012, hit 37 homers in Double-A and Triple-A as a 21-year-old. Not going to happen
The Mets are trying to sell high, and using Dickey’s Cy Young award-winning performance as a marketing tool.
“It doesn’t have to be a catcher, it doesn’t have to be an outfielder, it doesn’t have to be anything,” Alderson said. “But it has to be a difference maker, because R.A. is a difference maker.”
No one can question the Dickey was a difference maker in 2012, going 20-6 in addition to an ERA of 2.73, striking out 230 batters in 233 2/3 innings.
An All-Star and a Cy Young winner.
Trading top shelf prospects and/or major league ready players for Dickey is not without risk.
His career ERA of 3.98 is more than a run worse than his ERA of 2.73 in 2012.
In 2011 Dickey went 8-13 with the Mets, and had 3.28 ERA, he struck out 134 batters in 208 innings.
He was not an All-Star and not a Cy Young winner.
Dickey has a career record of 61-56 , take his record of 20-6 in 2012 out and his career record is 41-50. Dickey’s highest win total before 2012, was 2010 when he went 11-9
Dickey is said to be looking for a three-year deal, but would likely settle for a two-year deal from the Mets. Dickey is 38 years old, and yes he’s a knuckleballer, and he could probably throw a few more years, but teams have to ask; which pitcher will they get?
The Mets finalized their deal, which can be considered an eight-year, $138 million deal if the value of Wright’s previously-exercised 2013 club option is included with third baseman David Wright.
Deciding on what to do with Dickey might not be as easy.
