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R.A. Dickey

NL East Notes: Mets, Phillies, Vazquez

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The Nationals and manager Davey Johnson continue to work toward a new contract for 2013, and based on the most recent reports it sounds as though the sides have a good chance of reaching a deal. Here's more from the NL East…

  • The Mets aren't close to completing extensions with David Wright and R.A. Dickey, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger reports. The Mets remain hopeful that they can complete long-term deals with the players instead of trading them away. 
  • Todd Zolecki of MLB.com explains why Angel Pagan and Torii Hunter could be solutions for the Phillies this offseason. Zolecki doubts that Michael Bourn will return to Philadelphia this offseason and points out that B.J. Upton's far from a perfect player.
  • Former Braves and Marlins starter Javier Vazquez will pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico and see if he wants to make a comeback, Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports (on Twitter). The right-hander didn’t pitch in 2012, but pitched quite well for the Marlins in 2011, posting a 3.69 ERA in 192 2/3 innings.

Quick Hits: Dickey, White Sox, Pence

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MLB executives are fascinated by many of the same questions that preoccupy fans, so ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick checked in with a variety of baseball officials to get their thoughts on some offseason issues. The execs prefer Michael Bourn to B.J. Upton and they expect Zack Greinke to re-sign with the Angels. Here are today's links…

  • R.A. Dickey could draw interest from ten or more teams if the Mets make him available in trades this offseason, rival executives tell Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
  • White Sox GM Rick Hahn expects to hear from many teams interested in acquiring some of Chicago’s starting pitching depth, Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com reports. “We will absolutely listen on any ideas and trades will be one of the avenues we pursue to potentially fill some of our holes,” Hahn said. Gavin Floyd could be among the pitchers drawing trade interest this year, Hayes writes.
  • The Giants aren’t going to non-tender Hunter Pence, even though he’ll cost $13-14MM as an arbitration eligible player, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). MLBTR projects a $13.8MM salary for Pence in 2013.
  • Tim Britton of the Providence Journal analyzes the first base market to determine some possible fits for the Red Sox.
  • Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com suggests it wouldn't make sense for the Rangers to offer Josh Hamilton more than three guaranteed years with a vesting option for a fourth year. It doesn't sound as though that'll be enough to sign Hamilton, despite the questions surrounding his ability to stay healthy.

Mets, Wright To Intensify Talks

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The Mets and David Wright plan to intensify talks about a possible contract extension in the near future, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports. The sides could discuss years and dollars as soon as this week.

The Mets, who exercised Wright’s $16MM contract option for 2013 two days ago, are determined to keep talks private. So far the sides haven’t discussed years or dollars, but that could change now that the option has been exercised. Jon Heyman reported this week that the negotiations with the ACES client seemed to be progressing.

The Mets will also discuss a possible extension with R.A. Dickey, whose $5MM 2013 option was also exercised this week. There remains a genuine chance that the Mets could trade Dickey, Martino reports.

Mets Exercise Options On Wright, Dickey

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The Mets have formally picked up their contract options for David Wright and R.A. Dickey, sources told Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).  The Mets began the early stages of extension talks with both players after the season but the discussions were reportedly moving slowly.

Wright's option for 2013 will pay him $16MM while Dickey's is for just $5MM.  Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today that the third baseman was discussing a long-term deal with the club.  Officials told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that they expected an extension for Wright to cost about $143MM over eight years when including the 2013 option.

Some have speculated that Dickey could be in line for a Oliver Perez-type extension, which would be for three years at about $36MM.  However, the Mets reportedly don't have anything that lucrative in mind.  At the age of 38, Dickey's situation is a complicated one as knuckleballers historically haven't fared well beyond 40.

NL East Notes: Mets, Wright, Dickey, Marlins

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The Mets’ contract talks with David Wright and R.A. Dickey have not advanced to the point of discussing years or dollars, a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations tells Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.  General Manager Sandy Alderson has remained in touch with representatives for both players but the sides are “still talking about when to really get talking,” according to the source.  Martino writes that some in the organization believe that the Mets will sign Wright but ultimately trade Dickey.  Here’s more on the Mets and other items out of the NL East..

  • Alderson disclosed that manager Wally Backman will return to the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas next season, tweets Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger.  The 53-year-old has managed in the organization’s minor league system for the past three seasons.
  • The Phillies had some interest in bringing Backman aboard as their Triple-A manager in Lehigh Valley to replace Ryne Sandberg, Martino tweets.  Sandberg was bumped up to third base coach for the Phillies earlier this month.
  • The Marlins are said to have interest in Reds pitching coach Bryan Price for their managerial vacancy, but Price has recently agreed to a new deal with the club, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  However, Price won’t comment on whether the club has asked for permission to talk to him, writes Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel.

NL East Links: Dickey, Nationals, Contracts

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It was on this day in 1997 that the state of Florida got its first taste of the Fall Classic, as the Marlins hosted Game One of the 1997 World Series.  The Marlins got off to a winning start, scoring a 7-4 victory over the Indians and eventally capturing their first title after seven dramatic games.  Here's the latest from around the NL East…

  • "[R.A. Dickey's] situation does not compare to any in baseball history," writes MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, noting Dickey's late-career success, the historical precedent of knuckleballers pitching well past age 40 and the price of high-quality pitching.  Dickey, 38, underwent minor surgery today to correct a torn abdominal muscle, a procedure that won't factor into the Mets' decision about signing Dickey to a multiyear contract.  The Mets hold a $5MM club option on Dickey for 2013, but DiComo thinks that if an extension can't be reached, the Mets could think it better to trade Dickey rather than pick up the option and see him potentially leave after the season.
  • Adam LaRoche's free agency creates some questions surrounding the Nationals' first base and left field situation, writes Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com.  The Nats could let LaRoche go and install Tyler Moore in left or at first, or they could re-sign LaRoche and either keep Moore on the bench or possibly use Michael Morse as trade bait. 
  • Carlos Beltran, his agent Dan Lozano and the Giants have been arguing over how much contact the Giants had with Beltran last winter, a dispute that Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog argues "speaks to the disconnect in language between reality, reporting and how sports fans form opinions about what goes on in the free agent and trade market."  Cerrone uses last offseason's negotiations between the Marlins, Mets and Jose Reyes as an example.

Mets May Start Talks With Wright & Dickey Next Week

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Mets GM Sandy Alderson has made it no secret that signing both David Wright and R.A. Dickey beyond 2013 is one of his top offseason priorities, and a source told Andy Martino of The New York Daily News that formal contract negotiations with both players could begin next week. "Too early to tell," said a source when asked if either player could agree to a new deal this month.

Earlier this week we learned that the team intends to open talks with Wright by offering a deal in the $100MM range, which would be in line with the six-year, $100MM extension Ryan Zimmerman signed with the Nationals earlier this year. The 29-year-old Wright hit .306/.391/.492 with 21 homers this year, and the Mets will surely exercise his $16MM club option for next season soon after the World Series.

Dickey, 37, could be in line for an Oliver Perez-like contract following his Cy Young caliber season, meaning three years and $36MM. The club will surely exercise his $5MM club option for 2013 as soon as necessary. Martino hears that Alderson is sincere in his desire to sign Dickey, but there is some in the organization who are concerned about his age and injury history. The knuckleballer pitched through a torn abdominal muscle this season and dealt with a right foot problem last year.

Mets To Offer David Wright $100MM Deal

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The Mets are expected to start negotiations with David Wright by making an offer for somewhere in the neighborhood of $100MM, people familiar with the team's thinking told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The Mets are also expected to give negotiations at least most of October before even considering a deal for the star third baseman.

Heyman was told that General Manager Sandy Alderson & Co. hope to make Wright a Met "for life."  A deal could include team options toward the end of the pact with the hope that the 29-year-old stays productive into his late 30s.  Wright has opted to remain with the embattled ACES agency but Heyman writes that there's no indication that they have pressed the contract talks because of the timing of the probe into their practices.

While Wright is likely seeking a $100MM+ deal, a veteran agent told Mike Puma of the New York Post that R.A. Dickey is probably eyeing Oliver Perez-type money, which would be $36MM over three years.  However, Heyman writes that the Mets don't want to go beyond two years for Dickey as the Mets have concerns that his high-velocity for a knuckleballer will hurt his longevity.  A rival GM sees the soon-to-be 38-year-old as being worth $15MM, but the Mets aren't believed to be thinking of a deal in that ballpark.

Mets Could Sign Wright & Dickey Before World Series

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GM Sandy Alderson recently said that the Mets will make every effort to retain both David Wright and R.A. Dickey beyond next season, and today Mike Puma of The New York Post reports that new deals could happen quickly. His source says it's "conceivable" that both players could have new contract extensions in place, at least in principle, before the World Series.

Alderson has acknowledged that he's had "informal conversations" with Sam and Seth Levinson, Wright's representatives, however Puma hears that the GM has yet to reach out to Dickey's agent Bo McKinnis. While Wright will likely seek a long-term contract in excess of $100MM, a veteran agent told Puma that Dickey is "probably looking at Oliver Perez dollars for sure." That would be three years and $36MM.

The Mets hold club options for the 29-year-old Wright ($16MM) and 37-year-old Dickey ($5MM), though both players can become free agents after 2013. Both options can be torn up or simply guaranteed and blended into new contracts. Alderson has referred to  Wright and Dickey as core pieces of the club has they move forward and continue to rebuild.

Alderson Talks Free Agents, Wright, Dickey, Trades

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The fourth-place Mets will wrap up their season against the Marlins this afternoon, a season that saw them sit in second place and 4.5 games out of first as late as July 7th. GM Sandy Alderson spoke to the media earlier today, saying he is "not prepared to blow up the team and start over again." Let's recap the full media session with some help from ESPN New York's Adam Rubin…

  • "I don't want to give the impression that we're going to be out in the free-agent market looking for significant additions," said the GM. "We have lots of payroll tied up in a handful of players. That's a situation that gradually has to resolve itself."
  • Alderson said he believes the team is headed in the right direction, but they are not yet in a position to spend lavishly or "pay for today with deferrals until tomorrow."
  • The Mets will make every effort to retain both David Wright and R.A. Dickey. The team holds affordable club options for both players, but they can become free agents after 2013. 
  • Alderson would not rule out a contract extension that takes Wright to the end of his career, and he acknowledged that both sides have already had "informal conversations."
  • The team's goals are to first build through the farm system, retain core players, and add players from the outside on a "fairly judicious basis."
  • "I think it's possible, given what we have, that we'll be more active in the trade market," said Alderson. "But that's not a given, necessarily. I really do believe some of our players are on the verge of making bigger contributions." Alderson said they would be cautious with their starting pitching depth, however.
  • The team's payroll for 2012 ended up being about $100MM, and the $9MM in total buyouts owed to Jason Bay and Johan Santana will be considered part of the 2013 payroll. Both players can become free agents after next season.
  • Manager Terry Collins is under contract through next year and there have not yet been any talks about signing him to a contract extension.
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