MLB writers covering the trade say it may not be completed until tomorrow or Monday (if at all – you never know), but a proposed/likely scenario was laid out by Joel Sherman tonight. I think it’s enough information for everyone to check out the details and come to a conclusion. Personally, I love it – so I hope much doesn’t change! The details are still being worked out and the Blue Jays likely want Dickey to sign an extension with them in order to complete the trade.
But right now it’s Dickey/Thole/prospect (told not elite) for d/Arnaud/Syndegaard/Buck/prospect (told not elite) #Mets #Bluejays
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 16, 2012
Mets get:
- Travis d’Arnaud (C): Baseball America’s #1 Blue Jays prospect. Posted a .975 OPS in 67 AAA games last season (16 HR, 62 RBI). Ended his 2012 season with knee surgery; he has since recovered from the injury. Consistently ranked as a top 20 prospect in the MLB prior to the 2012 season. If you’d like some frosting on the cake – his defense is also above average. I have not has this confirmed, but it looks as if the Mets may be able to gain an additional year of control over d’Arnaud if he wait until June to call him up.
- Noah Syndergaard (RHP): Baseball America’s #2 Blue Jays prospect (since Marisnick was traded to the Marlins). Posted a 2.60 ERA and a 1.080 WHIP in single A last season. His fastball sits at 94-95 miles per hour, and he can touch up to 99 mph (source). Scouting reports place his fastball as a ++ pitch, his curveball as a + pitch, his changeup as an average pitching – and I’ve read he’s working on a slider as well (source). Average control so far, but given his being 20 and in single A this has time to develop. Definitely has near ace-level talent. Syndergaard was consistently ranked as a top 100 MLB prospect prior to the 2012 season (generally in the upper 80s/90s).
- John Buck (C): Controlled for 1 more season ($6.5 million salary). Likely to become the Mets backup catcher once d’Arnaud takes over, but I could see him beginning the season as the starting backstop. Buck has posted a career .708 OPS playing for the Royals, Blue Jays, and Marlins. Buck has moderate power (for a catcher), but struggles to get on base. Buck’s defense is below average. Overall I think we should be happy to get a guy like this to be our backup, but I hope he isn’t the starter for too long.
- “Not elite prospect”
Blue Jays get:
- R.A. Dickey (RHP): Reigning Cy Young winner. Controlled for 1 more season, although a 2 year extension is likely. Has posted an ERA of 2.95 over the past 3 seasons, averaging around 30 starts per season.
- Josh Thole (C): Controlled for 4 more seasons. Has posted a lifetime .664 OPS with the Mets, although his offensive output has declined in every season. As we know, Thole is a below average defender behind the plate.
- “Not elite prospect”
Further reading: [Baseball America's top Toronto Blue Jays prospects page]
42 comments
Prismo
12/15/2012-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t want to post this until the trade was completed, but if that takes two days…I think we SHOULD do all we can to assess the possible details in the meantime. I’ll admit – I’m going to be REALLY upset at this point if it gets called off.
TX
12/15/2012-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
If its not an elite, I wonder if that is a mejia type, Valdy type or a lower end type. Hmmm…
Hazmet
12/15/2012-11:00pm at 11:00 pm (UTC -4)
Watch it’s Reese Havens, at least that would get his name in the news. That’s certainly non elite. I’d rather sweeten the pot with a better prospect package and get Gose too. Maybe a Nimmo and Mejia or something. So close to solving CF with them too. C’mon Sandy try to figure something out here and close out CF and C in one shot.
TX
12/15/2012-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t mind to see that either.
Stick
12/16/2012-12:14am at 12:14 am (UTC -4)
that would be great.
gategem
12/15/2012-10:58pm at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
“I think we SHOULD do all we can to assess the possible details in the meantime.”
Why?
TX
12/15/2012-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
And at this point, if Flores is not involved, I’m more than happy with what the return in dickey is.
Stick
12/15/2012-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
just let the man spend the year playing 2B and see what happens.
Stick
12/15/2012-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, if this ends up as a “never mind” in a couple of days, it will be real deflating.
Anyway, I would be more than pleased by this deal. really was hoping for an OF, but that synergies guy looks like he has some serious potential.
Buck sucks of course, but he can’t be worse than Nickeas. So possible you see him and Recker for a little while until Travis passes super 2 (er, is fully ready).
the non-elite prospects will be interesting. My guess, it is an upper minors RH OF from the Jays, and a lower level SP from the Mets.
Stick
12/15/2012-10:41pm at 10:41 pm (UTC -4)
If this goes through, of course you wonder what the next steps are to keep fixing the roster.
but, they really need to admit publicly that this is all about 2014, and 2013 (which was tenuous at best) will be a complete write off!
but, they still need to fill out the roster with the money available with legit players. Either ML vets, or an honest to God prospect getting his feet wet.
My take? Sign Hairston or some equivalent. Platoon him with baxter or Duda on one corner. And try to find another prospect for one of the other spots. And Kirk can be in the mix.
make some trades: duda + stuff for that RP VInnie on Cleveland. And see if you can get Gomez from Mill for a realistic price, and try to get around the Boras angle to sign him for a few extra years.
I got no problem with Hairston/Baxter on one corner. But they have to get some more players in for the other 2 spots. And a live arm for the Pen would help.
and God help me, sign big Poof for a year to help with the rotation.
screw it, for get that, because no way would I want them going big bucks/LT on him at the end of the year. Find someone else.
Hazmet
12/15/2012-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
This just in Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead….
Just get this done already, jeez.
gategem
12/15/2012-11:12pm at 11:12 pm (UTC -4)
But at least he kept Spain’s deficit in check.
I hope this drags out for a few more days to see the fan base double their intake of Paxil. I recall what the old prospector said to his rambunctious Donkey, “Patience my ass.”
Darknova
12/15/2012-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
Hah! Gate, you rock.
Hazmet
12/15/2012-11:20pm at 11:20 pm (UTC -4)
lol on both counts. On the debt situation, you should see the carnage that’s starting to take place where I work in anticipation, ho!y cr_p. I just have my fingers in my ears going la la la until it’s over.
This Dickey trade things a nice distraction but I’ve never read so much over so little movement over the past week. Just good to see this coming to a close… i hope….
NCMetFan
12/15/2012-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
What if the 4th name coming back is Raj Davis or Emillio Bonifacio to play CF? Gose may be too much to part with but with the Marlin trade they now have Rasmus, Davis & Bonifacio so they may want to rid themselves of one. Davis or Bonifacio would work just fine.
greggofboken
12/15/2012-11:41pm at 11:41 pm (UTC -4)
I’m insanely happy with this. And if the two remaining players are not elites I think it’s a steal. I fully expected it to be Flores or Familia to balance this out a little bit more. Sherman’s also reporting that — with this breadown — the Jays would be sending some cash over to help offset some of Buck’s salary.
Buck, as poor as he is, is better not only than Nickeas, but Thole as well.
The AL East looks to be a dogfight, and with the addition of Dickey, the Jays have inserted themselves into the thick of it.
But were I in the Jays position, there’s no way I’d have signed up for this deal. I most likely wouldn’t have ponied up d’Arnaud, definitely wouldn’t have included Syndergaard and wouldn’t pay a dime towards John Buck’s salary.
darknova306
12/16/2012-12:56am at 12:56 am (UTC -4)
Nothing has actually officially happened, though. This is the first I’ve heard of the Jays picking up part of Buck’s salary (which seems silly to me from their perspective). Dickey is $5M and Buck is $6M with all the other players being on MiL salaries or MLB minimum. Why would Toronto need to send money?
TX
12/16/2012-1:09am at 1:09 am (UTC -4)
Because Dickey is the Man.
darknova306
12/16/2012-1:43am at 1:43 am (UTC -4)
Send ALL THE MONEYS!!
TX
12/16/2012-1:08am at 1:08 am (UTC -4)
It’s a boy. Now, for the Dickey trade to go thru to make an awesome day awesomer.
Mr North Jersey
12/16/2012-1:23am at 1:23 am (UTC -4)
Tex wife had baby? Awesome! Congrats dude.
darknova306
12/16/2012-1:42am at 1:42 am (UTC -4)
Oh crap! Sweet, TX! Congrats man!
TX
12/16/2012-1:54am at 1:54 am (UTC -4)
Thanks guys. A boy named Thor (after my grandfather). I’ll look for an OF mitt ASAP.
darknova306
12/16/2012-2:32am at 2:32 am (UTC -4)
I imagine Thor to be the name of a super badass power hitting catcher that dwarfs Piazza in all his career accomplishments. I’ll happily donate my old mitts.
srt
12/16/2012-3:47am at 3:47 am (UTC -4)
Congrats!
Hope Mom and son are doing fine.
ColoradoMetsFan
12/16/2012-7:54am at 7:54 am (UTC -4)
Mazel Tov! I’m with darknova, the tools of ignorance are the way to go!
greggofboken
12/16/2012-8:06am at 8:06 am (UTC -4)
Many congratulations to you!
Prismo
12/16/2012-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
Congrats tx!!! Hope everything checked out health-wise!
SaltyGary
12/16/2012-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Yea Tex, congrats!
TX
12/16/2012-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Thanks all. Coffee is on I’VE drip at this point… Now, come on d’Arnaud, Syndergarten Cop, Buck wild and someone that can stand out in the old strawberry patch.
Stick
12/16/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Let me add to the congratulations. And certainly a unique name. Though you of course are setting him up to be captain of the chess club and a big time nerd!
TX
12/16/2012-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
How is Thor not a ladies man to be? And better Chess than the Checkers club!
Stick
12/16/2012-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if he lives up to his name of course. Just as long as he is not like a little lap dog named “killer”
darknova306
12/16/2012-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
If you can get him into Go at an early age, that would be awesome! Far better than Chess! Also, get him in front of a brew kettle as early as possible
gategem
12/16/2012-3:11pm at 3:11 pm (UTC -4)
Congratulations to both you and your wife.
srt
12/16/2012-3:51am at 3:51 am (UTC -4)
I won’t lie…I’m gonna miss RA. One of my favorite Mets of this era.
But if he has to go, I’m pleased with what I’m hearing so far. AA kept saying D’Arnaud was off limits in any trade. Well, credit SA and his apparent negotiating skills.
Still waiting to see who that non elite prospect is we’re sending. Given that description, I can’t see it being Flores or Mejia, as some have mentioned.
Prismo
12/16/2012-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
I think this is a FANTASTIC trade – the type of trade that could set a team up for real success for several years. I’m not sure I’d have that hope if we only had Dickey instead for the next 3 years, as much as I love his pitching (maybe in ’13 and ’14).
It does make you wonder what the Mets could’ve gotten for Wright – but I’m not sure anyone knows what teams would’ve been in on a 3rd baseman, so it’s hard to speculate.
Stick
12/16/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
if this deal is true, then they really are punting on ’13 big time.
but, I am fine with that. Though (and don’t call me a hypocrite) I still want them to invest some/much of the available payroll $ in legit players to at least try and compete this year. As long as it is not geezers playing in place of honest to god prospects that should be, go for it.
srt
12/16/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I think they’re going to have to go out now and get another SP, at the very least. Big Poof anyone?
Stick
12/16/2012-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
I was looking for Lannan, not that he really is any good. Since he is gone, I think that Poof coming back is much more likely, as long as he takes a a low base + incentive deal (I figure he has to take that anywhere).
I don’t mind it actually. If he can maintain the improvement/changes he had early last year, I would much rather see him with something to prove, than to hand the spot to Mejia who I think is no where near ready.
srt
12/16/2012-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Agree. I have no problem with it either, if the price is right.
Also agree with you about Mejia. Not even sure he sticks in the rotation and doesn’t wind up in the BP.
He seemed to have regressed a bit last year, after coming back from TJ. I’m hoping now that it’s all behind him, he takes a step forward this year.
Prismo
12/16/2012-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
They are punting it….but when weren’t they? Did we really think they ever had a chance in 2013? Maybe they’ll win 70 games instead of 75. (who cares!)