The Mets GM Sandy Alderson is in Nashville for the Winter Meetings and just finished a media briefing. Here is some of what he had to say courtesy of Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Regarding talking to teams about Dickey:
“I would suspect, yes, we will have conversations about R.A. That doesn’t mean we would prefer to go in that direction or reconcile to go in that direction.”
Regarding the chance of there being a resolution with Dickey before the Winter meetings conclude:
“I think it’s possible,… On the other hand, it could go on for a while. I just can’t predict. … R.A’s situation needs to be resolved, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be resolved here in Nashville before Thursday. I think we’ll have a lot more information by the end of Thursday both in terms of his negotiation as well as other options. But I don’t think we have to have resolution by Thursday.”
You can read the rest that he has to say here.
23 comments
greggofboken
12/2/2012-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
He also clarified, contrary to Jeff’s statements on 11/21, that letting Dickey go unextended or untraded and play out the season is an option he wants to avoid. (Jeff, incredibly, had it as his second choice stating “they’re (Dckey/Wright) fan favorites so we’d like to keep it that way.”).
It was heartening not so much because Alderson didn’t share any buy-in to this obviously foolish path, but throughout the Wright negotations I kept seeing Jeff’s fingerprints all over everything. That was really discouraging to see such strong involvement from him there.
This tells me that while Jeff may have been more active than I would have liked with DW, that Sandy’s clearly calling this one….as I would hope would be S.O.P.
Stick
12/2/2012-9:53pm at 9:53 pm (UTC -4)
You have to be the most blind Sandy hater to not see Jeffy’s palm prints all over the Wright deal. no clue what Sandy recommended or wanted to do, but absolutely reasonable to think that the owners overruled him. Which probably happens quite often with GMs, and not just with the Mets.
At least it seems that Sandy managed to still work out a reasonable deal, even if it was not his first choice.
Hopefully you are right though that now that Wright is in the fold, Sandy gets to decide what to do.
greggofboken
12/2/2012-10:06pm at 10:06 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve been generally pleasantly surprised with the amount of autonomy — or at least support — that Alderson’s gotten in his dealings. The Wright negotation seemed a step backward. Prior to that I don’t think I’d been overtly aware of Jeff’s influence since the Underdog t-shirts.
Stick
12/2/2012-10:10pm at 10:10 pm (UTC -4)
hard to say much about autonomy since he has made so few moves (outside of MiL signings, I would bet he is at no more than 1/2 the next lowest GM!
and Jeff most likely find his own cheap BP arms. Not really a need to meddle when you don’t supply any budget to work with!
Stick
12/2/2012-9:48pm at 9:48 pm (UTC -4)
I think it will be resolved. Certainly he will be traded if that is the way it goes, and if not, I think the extension will happen quickly. They need clarity to know what else they can (and have to) do in the off season.
wanny
12/2/2012-10:17pm at 10:17 pm (UTC -4)
i really don’t see anything but a trade happening. reports say that dickey has indicated he would take a deal for two years at less than peavy’s 29 m. if sandy really wanted him then i would think the deal could easily get done at 2 for 25ish.
Mr North Jersey
12/2/2012-10:22pm at 10:22 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know if this also adds to what you said but would Dickey’s open statements understanding Alderson if he had to also shop him in a trade lean to any higher percentage of a trade happening in your opinion.
Q-Rod
12/2/2012-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
I feel that the Mets having signed Wright gives them plenty of leeway to trade Dickey, which I think is what they want to do. They need an impact bat and there is only Niese or Dickey with which to get it done.
Stick
12/2/2012-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
I have been thinking from early on that one of those 2 going was the plan. especially when Sandy went on record as saying there would be meaningful changes.
Q-Rod
12/2/2012-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
If this shapes up as a bidding war between the Rangers and Angels for Dickey then this has the making of a fun week for Met fans. Both teams have tasty young players that can help the Mets in the short term and also restock the minors with an extra bat or two.
wanny
12/2/2012-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
not sure what the angels package would be. bourjos, calhoun and conger?
Stick
12/2/2012-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
bourjos does nothing for me.
TX
12/2/2012-11:03pm at 11:03 pm (UTC -4)
Not loving that package at all.
Stick
12/2/2012-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
that’s the peyote talking.
TX
12/2/2012-11:07pm at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
It’s me and Emilio walking in the spirit world…
wanny
12/2/2012-11:10pm at 11:10 pm (UTC -4)
me neither, tx. calhoun has hit the ground running, tho.
i don’t really think anaheim is a player for dickey. but they may be the most desperate. the thing is, i’m not even sure what to take from them if you are undressing them. frieri? not dealing dickey for a package headed by a relief pitcher.
Q-Rod
12/2/2012-11:25pm at 11:25 pm (UTC -4)
LAA is tougher matchup for the Mets since the loss of Hunter. I’d love to get Bourjos and/or Conger but not for Dickey.
TX
12/2/2012-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
Wanny, unless LAA is dropping a top name person, which I don’t see them doing, it is a no deal for me. I still think Tor, Tex, Bo’s and Cincy as being go Landry spots for Dickey.
Stick
12/2/2012-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, I fully agree that if the team really wanted him, they would have locked up the deal already. And that they are intentionally holding off. First because of Wright, and now because they want to see if the trade market is a better option. Dickey is certainly smart enough to understand exactly what is going on.
and Q, I actually think you can put KC into the mix. You can only build for so long before you have to see an opening (weak division) and have to go for it. And besides, you can only use so many prospects, so if the farm is overflowing, you need to trade some for ML help
Q-Rod
12/2/2012-10:52pm at 10:52 pm (UTC -4)
I see KC as a better destination for Niese rather than Dickey, but who knows. Anyway, I have faith in Sandy’s ability to play the angles and get the best available package for one of these guys. I hope the package for Dickey is satisfactory because I really don’t want to part with Niese.
It’s not a tough trade for the other side because I think the Mets should be happy to get back one major league ready player plus a few minor leaguers with upside. In exchange for an outstanding pitcher who is not going to wilt under the pressure of a pennant race.
srt
12/3/2012-7:28am at 7:28 am (UTC -4)
Agree with your first paragraph, Stick.
I’m thinking the first offer was low ball and if he took it great, they’d sign him. Don’t think they expected him to go for that though. So next, head into these winter meetings and see just what the market is for Dickey.
srt
12/3/2012-7:28am at 7:28 am (UTC -4)
“I haven’t resorted to the chocolate box yet.”
Oh boy, that ought to stir up the lunatic fringe.
Me…I think his funny. SA has a dry sense of humor.
Stickguy
12/3/2012-8:16am at 8:16 am (UTC -4)
I do too. and since it “baits” his fanboys so nicely, even better.