At today’s holiday party held by the Mets every year Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey played the part of an elf for school children who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. When asked about his contract negotiations Dickey expressed disappointment at how things were progressing. Here is some of what Dickey had to say courtesy of Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.
“It’s hard,” Dickey said. “When people say it’s business, it’s not personal, well that just means it’s not personal for them. I’m hoping it ends up in a good place, but also in the back of your mind you think it may not. That’s sad.”
“In the context of the market, you want what you think is fair,” Dickey said. “& I feel like we’re asking for less than what’s fair because that’s how it’s been for me. There is a surprise sometimes when things don’t get done quickly and you already think you’re extending the olive branch. At the same time, they have a budget they have to adhere to. I don’t know those numbers. And I try not to take it personally.”
R.A. Dickey also pointed out when asked about the Mets option of letting him simply play out the season without an extension that it would mean he would most likely not be back in 2014.
“If that’s the decision they feel like is best for the club, and that’s the decision that they make, I feel like it would be unfortunate, because it probably is going to mean I’m not going to be back (in 2014),”
Regarding the ongoing negotiations the Mets GM had this to say.
“We continue to talk to R.A., and specifically his agent, and there’s some progress being made there. Obviously, at the same time, we’ll talk to some other clubs and keep R.A. to some extent apprised of those conversations. We’re in a similar place today to where we were last week. But the surrounding circumstances have changed somewhat. So I hope we’ll have more clarity in a few days. In the meantime, we’re more or less status quo.”
17 comments
kingman 26
12/11/2012-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
If the offer really is 2/20 as is being reported, it is, most definitely, a non-offer offer.
2/20 is absolutely ridiculous, not serious, lowballing, and really, just another brick in this sad, pathetic wall.
Don’t give me “patience” and waiting until the right trade offer comes in.
Dickey has earned–with his performance and low pay over the last three years–better than this.
With what people from Guthrie to Victorino to Greinke have signed for, 2/20 is most definitely not a serious offer.
ColoradoMetsFan
12/11/2012-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
The fact is, R.A. deserves better that this clueless and classless bunch. This FO wouldn’t know clarity if it slapped them in the face. Let’s call is Funnyball, because it’s nothing but a big joke.
darknova306
12/11/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Funnyball, I love it! That explains the entire Mets organization perfectly.
ColoradoMetsFan
12/11/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry, typo in the original:
The fact is, R.A. deserves better that this clueless and classless bunch. This FO wouldn’t know clarity if it slapped them in the face. Let’s call it Funnyball, because it’s nothing but a big joke.
kingman 26
12/11/2012-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
They do not deserve R.A.
Really, when you think about it (I sense a post forming in my brain), Dickey has earned them a LOT of money over the last few years, especially in 2012 down the stretch.
I was at his last home game when he pitched great and lots of folks were there on a Saturday afternoon for him.
He’s received about $8–9 mil the last three years, won the Cy and will get $5 mil in 2013.
Offering him 2/20 is, in real world baseball economic terms, an insult.
It’s an offer designed to be refused.
Things continue to get worse, but this time, should they fail to re-sign him, they deserve failure.
It’s really revolting.
Dickey’s not asking for 5 years and an annual salary like St. Dimples; he is asking for something very reasonable.
And let’s remember—St. Dimples was paid nearly $30 million the last two years for three excellent months and a load of mediocrity.
Donal
12/11/2012-5:47pm at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
The problem is paying guys for what they did in the past. It has gotten us into too much trouble already.
What you need to consider is how likely Dickey will carry that same value into the future.
kingman 26
12/11/2012-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, but this is not a Pedro/Bay/Wright situation.
Dickey is asking for a nice 2-year deal, which, when one views what is going on around the game, is VERY reasonable.
Especially considering what he did in 2012 and might be able to do the next 3 years.
Q-Rod
12/12/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
You seriously don’t think that Dickey and his representatives understand what’s going on here? The team’s priority is to trade him. Failing that they will try to sign him. He knows this.
The question is whether the Mets get the right package for him. And waiting out this market (Greinke slowed the whole process but now there seems to be a major trade every other day) is their only choice.
Q-Rod
12/12/2012-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
The Mets view Dickey and his contract as an asset to convert into several young pieces. If they get an outsized return for him that accelerates the team’s return to contention then won’t you be happier than if they resign Dickey and continue to suck?
The Mets are trying not to suck.
srt
12/11/2012-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
Oh boy….sounds like even RA is getting a bit impatient – even though he understands the business of baseball.
Hard not to when it’s your livelihood at stake.
Q-Rod
12/12/2012-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
The guy willingly signed this contract. I’m sure the Mets have made it perfectly clear to him that their preference is to trade him. The Wilpons are idiots but I admire Alderson’s steadfastness in this situation.
If it comes down to them deciding that it makes more sense to keep him than trade him then they will negotiate accordingly. The risk of him walking away from a two year extension is very small, regardless of his comments while dressed as an elf.
darknova306
12/11/2012-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
Greinke is now getting paid $24.5M average per year. If the Mets are really serious about offering around 2/20 for Dickey, he should flip them off and demand a trade. This organization is a joke.
Stick
12/11/2012-4:49pm at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
he can’t demand anything though. in his situation that is more of a nuclear option. Though he does not seem shy about speaking his mind!
darknova306
12/11/2012-4:57pm at 4:57 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, all he has to do is keep winning the public opinion battle… and that ain’t hard with this clown ownership.
Q-Rod
12/12/2012-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
I don’t see how winning the public battle will help him.
greggofboken
12/11/2012-5:17pm at 5:17 pm (UTC -4)
It’s not in Dickey’s makeup to flip anyone off. While he may not like the way things are progressing, he’s a man of integrity who (it would seem to me) would honor his commitment for 2013. He may be vocal about his desires….but this is a different sort of cat.
TX
12/11/2012-6:03pm at 6:03 pm (UTC -4)
I’d be frustrated too if I had to dress up like an elf.