The New York Mets may be on the verge of trading pitcher R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays according to multiple news reports.
The linchpin of the deal seems to be top Blue Jays catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud.
Contract negotiations between Dickey, the 2012 MLB National League Cy Young Award winner who had a 20-6 record and a 2.73 ERA, and the Mets have not been going well according to the New York Post :
“Earlier this week, Dickey indicated he was not pleased with the Mets’ most recent contract offer — a two-year extension worth $20 million, according to sources — and wouldn’t be surprised if he were traded. Dickey’s asking price from the Mets was $26 million over two years, beginning in 2014.”
The journeyman knuckleballer, 37, is under contract for 2013 at $5 million and would become a free agent after that if he doesn’t sign an extension.
The New York Daily News has more background on the possible R.A. Dickey trade:
“According to two sources, [Mets] GM Sandy Alderson stopped talking about a contract extension with Dickey’s camp on Wednesday, and turned his attention to exploring trades. On Thursday, the Mets viewed Toronto, Texas and Baltimore as the most likely destinations; talks with the latter two clubs did not progress, leaving Toronto and an always-possible mystery team as trade partners.”
On paper, the Blue Jays already appear to be loaded after the blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins last month. According to Yahoo! Sports , that huge trade “transformed the Blue Jays from a middling American League East team into a contender. The acquisition of Dickey would cement their status as favorite in the division, and maybe the whole league.”
Travis d’Arnoud, 23, batted .333 with 16 home runs and 52 RBIs in Triple-A before a knee injury put him on the shelf in late June. Jays outfield prospect Anthony Gose could be included in the deal too.
ESPN observes that a R.A. Dickey trade would be a notable event in the annals of baseball:
“If dealt, Dickey would become only the fourth reigning Cy Young Award winner in major league history to start the following season with a new team via trade, joining David Cone (1995), Pedro Martinez (1998) and Roger Clemens (1999).”
Do you think the Mets should trade R.A. Dickey?