Jays-Mets Getting Close to Dickey Deal

Several media outlets reported last night and this morning that the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays were closing in on a trade that would send reigning NL CY Young winner R.A. Dickey to Toronto.

The Mets were hoping to sign Dickey to an extension after his 2012 season, but the two sides are reportedly far apart. Dickey finished 20-6, 2.73 in a season that included back-to-back one hitters. He also threw five straight games without an earned run allowed (41.2 innings).

The 38-year old knuckleballer is set to make $5MM in 2013, a $750K bump from the prior year's salary. Mets' GM Sandy Alderson knows that Dickey's value will never be higher, hence the "hurry" to deal him now rather than the 2013 trade deadline.

Rumored to be going to the Mets in the deal are highly touted catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, who was originally acquired from the Phils for Roy Halladay, and outfield prospect Anthony Gose.

Gose played 56 games for the Blue Jays in 2012 and did not display a Major League ready bat. However, he did steal 15 bases in 18 attempts.

The 23-year old D'Arnaud is considered expendable with power hitting catcher J.P. Arencibia the current starter in Toronto and John Buck as the backup. There is some question as to whether the Blue Jays should move Arencibia and hold on to d'Arnaud rather than the other way around.

Dickey, who threw over 230 innings in 2012, is said to be looking for a two year, $26MM extension. It's something the Blue Jays don't need to give him either, though they would be more likely to sign him to an extension if they are to give up D'Arnaud.

UPDATE 11:15 pm - Joel Sherman of the NY Post tweeted tonight that the deal is closer to happening. The Blue Jays will send d'Arnaud, Buck, Noah Syndergaard, and a low level prospect to the Mets for Dickey, catcher Josh Thole, and a low level prospect.

UPDATE 12/16 7:25 PM - The Mets and Jays have reportedly finalized the terms of the deal, with a contract extension for Dickey the only thing that is holding things up. Dickey would join a rotation that includes Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, both of whom were acquired in the Floirda Marlins' latest purge.