Earlier this morning (yes this column is being written just before 6 am) I was given some insight on the deal that would send Mets ace and current reigning Cy Young Award winner, R.A Dickey to the Blue Jays by a source that has some insight on whats going on.
My source is telling me that this might be a bigger deal than originally reported- and when I say bigger I mean on the level as the Marlins/Jays deal from last month. The Mets will allegedly get stud catching prospect. Travis d’Arnaud and outfield prospect, Anthony Gose while the Mets will part with Dickey, and possibly a couple more players. My source said this could be either be a 5 player deal or a 7 player deal.
So if I could put on my armchair G.M hat I would say if this is a five player deal the Mets more than likely would have to give up Dickey along with catcher Josh Thole – along with a minor league prospect – my guess it would be a player on the level as a Wilmer Flores or a Jennry Mejia for d’Arnaud and Gosse. If this turns out to be a seven player deal I have no idea who else the Mets would be willing to deal. But I have to stress that I am just speculating on the other players who may be included in this package. My source also believes this deal will be finalized by the end of today.
So take what I just said with a grain of salt – but if my info is accurate this will be a great trade by Mets General Manager, Sandy Alderson.
UPDATE 12:13PM As per the New ork Post’s Joel Sherman – Blue jays outfielder Anthony Gose is not part of the deal- but Andy Martino from the New York Daily News says Gose is still part of the talks but it is possible he is not dealt.
UPDATE 3:10 Blue Jays are apparently looking for a catcher in return ( Thole?) Mets might get Catcher, John Buck as well as per Mike Puma of the New York Post
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
One of the worst managers in Mets history, Mr “Lights Up a Room” himself, Art Howe is 66 (1946) .
The former Met we all love to tease, first baseman, Mo Vaughn is 45 (1967).
Sadly on this date in 2002, Dick Stuart, the Mets first baseman from the ’66 season passed away.
The New York Mets traded Lee Walls to the Los Angeles Dodgers for utility infielder, Charlie Neal and middle reliever, Willard Hunter on December 15, 1961.
The New York Mets traded pitcher, Jack Fisher, outfielder, Tommy Davis, middle reliever, Billy Wynne and minor league catcher, Buddy Booker to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder, Tommie Agee and shortstop, Al Weis on December 15, 1967. This was one of the trades that helped the Mets propel themselves from lovable losers to World Series Champs.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, John Pacella and utility infielder, José Moreno to the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher, Randy Jones on December 15, 1980. At one time Jones was one of the top pitchers in the National League, but he was way passed his prime by the time he was traded to the Mets and retired after 2 seasons with the team.
The New York Mets traded starting pitcher, Bob Ojeda and minor league pitcher, Greg Hansell to the Los Angeles Dodgers for third baseman/outfielder, Hubie Brooks on December 15, 1990. I was surprised and confused by this trade. Ojeda was still a viably starter whereas Brooks was past his prime.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Jeff Barry to the San Diego Padres for middle reliever, Pedro Martinez on December 15, 1995. No not that Pedro Martinez !
The New York Mets signed free agent reserve outfielder, Carlos Mendoza on December 15, 1999.
The New York Mets traded shortstop, Rey Ordóñez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for minor league third baseman, Russ Johnson and minor league first baseman, Josh Pressley on December 15, 2002.
The San Francisco Giants signed second baseman, Edgardo Alfonzo of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2002. I was very surprised that the Mets didn’t retain the popular Alfonzo. He was a class act who after he signed with the Giants took out ads thanking the Mets fan base.
The Mets drafted utility man, Eric Valent from the Cincinnati Reds on December 15, 2003.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed relief pitcher, Roberto Hernandez of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2005.
The St. Louis Cardinals signed closer, Braden Looper of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 15, 2005. I still think Looper was unfairly maligned by the fans during his last season as a Met when he pitched through injuries.
Mo Vaughn is not getting older – he’s getting wider !!!
62 comments
Bryan
12/15/2012-7:24am at 7:24 am (UTC -4)
Thole makes sense cause who knows if the Jays catchers could handle Dickey, so those two almost need to go together. I think Flores makes a lot of sense in that the Mets have no place for him in the future with David signed long term and I’m sure the Jays would like a bat to replace d’Arnaud. Also, if Gose is coming this way, it would make sense to trade away Den Dekker, so if the trade balloons up to 7 or more players he might be involved too.
Stick
12/15/2012-8:25am at 8:25 am (UTC -4)
If the mets trade those extra guys too it would be nice to get a RP (young closer of the future potential guy) too.
srt
12/15/2012-7:38am at 7:38 am (UTC -4)
It’s kind of hard to make that determination b/c we really aren’t sure what’s coming from Toronto, so hard to speculate what else we might be giving up.
Besides….I’m still having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that Dickey is leaving. First 20 game winner on the Mets since ’92, first CY since Gooden – and he won’t be here for us fans to enjoy it.
Bah….I understand the reason for the trade. With the % that prospects flame out when they reach the majors, I hope at least 1 of those coming over will be a player we’ll enjoy rooting for, for the next 6 years or so.
Hazmet
12/15/2012-8:11am at 8:11 am (UTC -4)
First good morning, yes I feel the Bah but we all knew this had to happen if we’re getting legit prospects like d’Arnaud and Gose back. I hear you on the % of prospect logic but to counter balance that I just saying to myself 38 year old pitcher. Cy Young or not, knuckler and all we’re selling high for a change and getting back quality if the reports are correct.
srt
12/15/2012-8:59am at 8:59 am (UTC -4)
Yes, all good points, Haz. I hear ya.
If we get back TD and a couple of other pieces, it would probably be poor baseball sense to turn down that trade.
Curious to see who else from the Mets side is included.
Blue Jays fans seem to think it should be Niese and Ike since TD is involved. Uh…I don’t think so.
They can have Spin and Turner though.
srt
12/15/2012-8:02am at 8:02 am (UTC -4)
Andy Martino @MartinoNYDN
A friend of Alderson’s told me last week that when he gets a trade proposal he likes, he prefers to sleep on it.
******************************
Time to wake up, Sandy. We’re all waiting…..
Stick
12/15/2012-8:27am at 8:27 am (UTC -4)
that to me is scary. If you get a team to go a bit overboard (do something stupid?) you say yes before they have a chance to change their mind, or some other team jumps in to steal the players away.
gategem
12/15/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
He still has to pass it by Jeffy boy and he’s celebrating Hanukkah and can’t be disturbed.
darknova306
12/15/2012-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
That’s probably more true than any of us wants to believe. Sigh…
TX
12/15/2012-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
Well, bed time is 8:30 and he needs a good 10-12 hours…
Stick
12/15/2012-8:30am at 8:30 am (UTC -4)
OK, now we are talking. Blowing the mother up baby! I just wonder, if this goes down, if all the chicken littles that wrote the “team is not changing Sandy is a big meanie” rants on 12/12 are going to recant at all? Because this would qualify as “wholesale” (or substantive) changes, right?
I do expect though to see a lot of people that have been screaming about lack of change now screaming about how terrible it is that they traded Dickey. Still ignoring the point of having to give to get.
srt
12/15/2012-9:00am at 9:00 am (UTC -4)
On that note….saw Pomes comment on MMO:
‘If this trade comes to fruition I will have completely changed my opinion of Sandy Alderson. He is a brilliant man that fleeced the Jays.’
If that dude can change his mind, I suppose anyone can.
darknova306
12/15/2012-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Whoa. Pomes said that? This offseason is full surprises…
Connor O'Brien
12/15/2012-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
I doubt he’s telling the truth. He called D’Arnaud a “loser” on Twitter. He said he has no power and strikes out too much (both of which are false…).
kingman 26
12/15/2012-4:42pm at 4:42 pm (UTC -4)
Please tell me you are kidding!
What was his SLG last year, about .600 with like 16 HR and 21 2B in 67 G?
How can any of you read stuff from people like that at that site??
Connor O'Brien
12/15/2012-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yep and his K rate was below MLB average…
Stick
12/15/2012-8:36am at 8:36 am (UTC -4)
anyway, mulling this over, just get a deal done, and let’s move on to the rest of the work needed. Of course we don’t know what that is until we see the return.
let us assume it is Gose for CF and Travis for C. With hopefully a mystery player (arm?) back too.
the IF in theory is set. So is CF. That is already 6 spots.
We need a SP: Get lannan. Wheeler hopefully can be up sometime during the year, and I am not reserving a spot for Mejia.
We need 2 corner OFs: here I am going out of the box. One side will be a platoon (baxter or Kirk and a RH batter – Hairston? Hoffman? Some other huge split guy?
but for LF, not cody ross, but Soriano. Need the RH power, and I will take a chance with his D out there in LF, with gose covering for him.
OF could be Soriano/gose/(baxter/hairston) with Kirk as the 5th. Should get some production out of that, and pretty cheap overall (Cubs will eat a lot of salary).
Thole can be the BU catcher, or if traded, rekker. Or get a Fossil as a mentor. And someone cheap will be the BU MI.
rotation santana/neise/lannan/harvey/gee
Pen, just need to find another back end/could close arm: That vinnie guy from Cleveland for Duda+. And if lucky, someone from the big trade.
OK, off season done. And I believe it will warm Fred’s poor, cheap heart that the roster got better, and cheaper, since lannan and Hairston will not likely cost more than Hairston + the Bay/Wright “give backs”, meaning all the other expiring money will be pocketed (probably a good 10mill in reserve).
greggofboken
12/15/2012-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
The best laid plans. Phils just picked up Lannan. $2.5M base, plus $2.5M in incentives. It was a good thought, though….
Stick
12/15/2012-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
darn. Looks like a good deal for them.
then again, he may be as bad as he looked last year, and in that park, mistakes don’t stay in!
They also just signed Mike Adams for 2/12 + an option. Lot of money for a 25 YO set up man that just had major surgery to remove a rib. Hopefully he is this years Ramon Ramirez fall of a cliff award winner.
Stick
12/15/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
actually, big Poof might be an even stronger possibility now that there is a definite opening in the rotation!
greggofboken
12/15/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
He could be. I’d rather him than Mejia. He’s been drawing a fair amount of interest, so it’ll be interesting to see what the price on him is.
srt
12/15/2012-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
If Dickey goes, I’d have no problem signing Pelf to take that rotation spot – on a one year deal only though.
srt
12/15/2012-8:51am at 8:51 am (UTC -4)
Cannot see the point in Davidoff’s latest article.
Even if this is all true, if I were the Mets FO, I’d make sure he was the last beat writer that got any information from them.
Nothing like throwing your CY award winner under the bus in an off season where you’re putting him out there as trade bait.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/amazin_won_knuckle_under_dickey_nZaBsu40qLaw5u4yNhfcKP
gategem
12/15/2012-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
This reminds me of Dick Young, as a mouthpiece for M. Donald Grant, taking on Seaver’s family. When Young covered the Brooklyn Dodgers he was known for being recalcitrant. But by the time he covered the Mets he was just another face in the crowd pandering to ownership.
greggofboken
12/15/2012-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
Young at least had the temerity to make his remarks while Seaver was still here to answer to them and when Young would have to face him personally. Odds are Davidoff won’t see Dickey again with any regularity. Cheap shot on his way out the door, it seems to me. And at odds with others’ characterization of how Dickey’s relationship with his teammates stand.
gategem
12/15/2012-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
I can reveal my source. He’s my cousins son and he is a plumber in the Dallas vicinity that does some work for some of the local sports franchises (he’s the only one in the family without a PhD and he out earns everyone else, go figure it). There’s a strong rumor of a trade that supposedly would dwarf the Toronto trade but I’ve not been able to verify it so I will not mention the players involved.
TX
12/15/2012-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Ha ha. Nice.
gategem
12/15/2012-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
Update: My cousin’s son is now sober and admits he was in error. He attended a local swinger’s Christmas Party and overheard people discussing a topic he thought involved RA. Instead the following sentiments are true:
“Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels on Friday acknowledged without comment that the club will no longer pursue a trade for New York Mets right-handed knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.”
BTW his wife is divorcing him and he’s a lot more fun when inebriated.
Q-Rod
12/15/2012-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
For me this Dickey thing is about managing my expectations. I have been steadfastly in favor of a Dickey trade. Now it’s just about getting the right guy in return.
Fingers crossed.
Stick
12/15/2012-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
I wanted them to ship out Wright also. no luck there.
that way a deal with Texas would have made much more sense, since they would have needed Olt.
Q-Rod
12/15/2012-2:51pm at 2:51 pm (UTC -4)
Or slotted Flores at third.
I wanted the Wright trade, too, but I was ambivalent. To me, Dickey is the more important move.
Wright, Davis, d’Arnaud is hopefully a formidable middle of the lineup for years.
TX
12/15/2012-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
BJs rotation is going to be extremely good. Their whole team is, actually. On paper, at least. As is LAA and Det.
darknova306
12/15/2012-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
With all the crazy speculation and dozens of different trade packages being thrown around, this has the anticipatory feel of going to bed Christmas Eve as a child. Can’t wait to see what goes down.
wanny
12/15/2012-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
Love the sound of syndergaard as part of the deal. Big young lefty who has dominated lowest levels out of HS as a Supp first rounder.
wanny
12/15/2012-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
Syndergaard is rho not lupus. Matts blog says Aaron Sanchez also coming to Mets and credits ny post. Haven’t seen post say that. Sanchez taken a few spots ahead of sundergaard out of hs in 2010 . Has walked a lot of guys and struck out a lot of guys.
kingman 26
12/15/2012-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
Not Timmy Lupus?
Is he part of the deal?
wanny
12/15/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry. On mobile and can’t see what I type.
wanny
12/15/2012-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t see what i type on mobile site
kingman 26
12/15/2012-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
Totally kidding Wanny.
Seriously, not sure there is one person here whose comments I am more sure to read than yours.
srt
12/15/2012-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you on Syndergaard.
Bryan
12/15/2012-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
Pretty much every blue jay prospect list I’ve seen has Syndergaard and Sanchez as 2 & 3 behind d’Arnaud. If the Mets get all three it would be incredible. Only variable is who the third Met player is. My guess is Flores, but it could be a lower level pitcher like Tapia or Fulmer, which I could live with if Syndergaard and Sanchez both come in return.
kingman 26
12/15/2012-3:57pm at 3:57 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, really if they get one of the pitchers and are not trading Harvey/Wheeler/Niese they have to do this deal and be absolutely thrilled.
wanny
12/15/2012-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
Syndergaard is a rhp
srt
12/15/2012-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
Had to share this post over on AA:
Dickey the Angry Elfy
Had a very shiny pitch
And if you ever saw it
You would even say, “Whoa, bitch!”
All of the other writers
Used to laugh and call him names
They’d never let poor R.A.
Pitch in any baseball games
Then one boring Winter day
Omar came to say
Dickey with your pitch so sweet
Won’t you make the Mets complete
Then all the Mets fans saw him
And they shouted out with glee
Hey, we all love R.A. Dickey
He’ll go down in Mets history
by Steve Sypa on Dec 15, 2012 3:29 PM EST
kingman 26
12/15/2012-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if we get d’Arnaud AND either Noah Syndergaard or Aaron Sanchez, this will be an unreal and incredible deal.
Even if it is the Food Network Aaron Sanchez…guy’s an amazing chef.
wanny
12/15/2012-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
There won’t be aundergaard and Sanchez as matts blog irresponsibly misquoted reporters. I tried to point that out but was placed in moderation. Reporters apparently learned of the shit storm and clarified.
wanny
12/15/2012-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
#There won’t be aundergaard and Sanchez as matts blog irresponsibly misquoted reporters. I tried to point that out but was placed in moderation. Reporters apparently learned of the shit storm and clarified.
kingman 26
12/15/2012-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
Just one of them would be amazing.
Stick
12/15/2012-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
obviously we will be dissecting the deal (assuming if finally happens) for quite a while. But that is certainly better than endless speculation and arguing/complaining about one that is just a rumor!
and it is nice to have your team finally active in the off season. It was getting really annoying just sitting here, watching the world go by.
But, with this crew, I will not believe it until I see the presser with the new guys wearing Met jerseys.
greggofboken
12/15/2012-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
All the difference will be in the players to be named, but if what I’m hearing is right (Dickey, Thole, player to be named for D’Arnaud, Buck, Syndergaard, player to be named) it’s a huge win.
Buck is a salary eat at $6M, but in essence we shed Nickeas and gain him. This seems so lopsidedly in favor of Mets right now, I’ve got to figure the unnamed players tip the scale back towards the Jays.
Loving it so far, though!
kingman 26
12/15/2012-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
Huge, massive, unreal win!
greggofboken
12/15/2012-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
Makes you wonder what the heck it is they’ve heard about Thole’s abilities or their fear of the difficultiy of Dickey’s knuckler. Buck’s and Arencibia have strong defensive WAR (both at .9), though Buck allows his share of passed balls. Gotta be just a need to keep payroll flat (Dickey’s $5M coming in, Buck’s $6M going out.)
gategem
12/15/2012-9:41pm at 9:41 pm (UTC -4)
If RA pitching indoors replicates his success of last year and it translates into a WS victory for the Blue Jays it will be a major triumph for them. This may very well be a trade that helps both teams. Because of the franchises performance over the years Mets fans have lost sight of baseball’s Holy Grail a WS championship.
I’m a passionate football Giants fan and it’s awesome for the Skins and Colts they drafted outstanding QBs but damn we have the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Stick
12/15/2012-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
I would be happy if he took them to the WS. Because I am assuming that even if they kept him, with little else changing, they would not come close themselves.
srt
12/15/2012-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
Rubin:
In-the-know person unsure if there will be a resolution Saturday night. Indicated cannot commit either way.
*******************************
Tune in tomorrow morning, I guess.
darknova306
12/15/2012-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
And on and on we go… wheeeeeeee!!!
Stick
12/15/2012-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
well, I am officially over this. No longer care if they trade him or not.
Darknova
12/15/2012-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
Trade him to Japan for a Hello Kitty hat with ears on it and a radioactive monster to be.named later.
gategem
12/15/2012-10:05pm at 10:05 pm (UTC -4)
Your patience is rather limited.
Prismo
12/15/2012-10:02pm at 10:02 pm (UTC -4)
the proposed deal out as Dickey/Thole/not elite prospect for d’Arnaud/Syndegaard/Buck/not elite prospect.
Stick
12/15/2012-10:12pm at 10:12 pm (UTC -4)
if their not elite is a RH hitting OF or a 2B that can field, all the better.
but those 2 for Dickey? I am more than fine with that, even with the understanding that prospects are all a huge risk, especially a 20 YO A ball pitcher. But that synergy dude sounds like a potential beast.
Prismo
12/15/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
I made a new post with some details about the players!