The New York Mets have agreed to send the reigning NL Cy Young winner, R.A. Dickey, to the Toronto Blue Jays, pending a contract extension. Dickey is under contract to make $5 million in 2013, but has been seeking a two year, $26-28 million extension. If a deal can be agreed upon, the Mets would receive baseball’s top catching prospect, Travis d’Arnaud, catcher John Buck, a minor league pitcher, and cash. In return, the Jays would receive Dickey, and catcher Josh Thole. Dickey is thirty eights years old, and prior to this season, had only one ten win season in his career. Although he is coming off of a phenomenal season, it was just one good year in a nine year career. Does he deserve the extension that he is expected to get? No, but will he get it? Probably. There is no doubt that Dickey had an unbelievable season, going 20-6 with a 2.73 era, and 230 Ks in 233.2 innings pitched, but a $28 million extension is too much for a thirty eight year old guy, who has only had three winning seasons in his whole career. It doesn’t matter that he is the reigning Cy Young winner.
It’s good to see the Mets make this deal, because they are going to receive a great prospect in d’Arnaud. He has the potential to be a star for many years to come, while fans should not expect Dickey to do much for more than a year or two, at most. Last season with Triple-A Las Vegas, d’Arnaud hit .333 with 16 HRs and 52 RBIs. He showed great discipline at the plate, posting a .380 OBP, and he is also very strong defensively. At 6’2″ 190lbs., he shows plenty of athleticism behind the plate, and has good enough arm strength to limit the opponent’s running game.
Assuming that Dickey joins the Blue Jays, he will land in a much improved rotation featuring Ricky Romero, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Brandon Morrow, and J.A. Happ. This Jays team has been completely rejuvenated this offseason. With the acquisitions of Melky Cabrera, Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio, Johnson, Buehrle, and Maicer Izturis, the Jays are looking like potential front runners to win the AL East. How do you think the addition of Dickey will help their chances in 2013? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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