Options For Wright, Dickey to be Picked Up This Week; Mejia Makes Winter Ball Debut

The Giants finished off their sweep of the Detroit Tigers Sunday night in Michigan to secure their 7th World Series title in franchise history, and second in the last three seasons. In addition to his three-homer performance in Game 1, Pablo Sandoval ended up hitting .500 (8-for-16) throughout the Fall Classic, earning him MVP honors. Now that the 2012 Major League Baseball season is officially complete, players with options for 2013 need to have their respective teams make a move within five days.
R.A. Dickey celebrated his 38th birthday yesterday, and with the Giants popping bubbly in the visitor’s clubhouse, the knuckler was guaranteed he will get his $5 million option exercised by the end of the week. David Wright will also have his $16 million option exercised this week, but thanks to some special language in his contract, the organization has only three days after the World Series to make a move. It’s a formality that both of these options will be picked up, as Alderson will also be trying to ink these two to contract extensions this winter.
Oct. 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) throws against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
We’ve heard a number of rumors regarding details of a possible extension for Wright, with Joel Sherman’s 8-year/$143 million proposed deal (including the 2013 option) being the most recent we’ve heard for Flushing’s favorite son. As for Dickey, we’ve heard just about nothing. Actually, all we’ve heard is that there may only be a 50% chance the potential NL Cy Young Award winner will agree to an extension, which could led to him getting dealt to another team before Opening Day in April. There is still plenty of time left this winter for deals to be made, but it behooves Alderson to get these deals done quickly to prove to the fans the organization is willing to lock up essential parts for the future, as well as moving on to work on other parts of the roster that need help, like the outfield and bullpen.
There are a few players from the Mets organization that are participating in winter ball, and Adam Rubin reported Sunday night that Jenrry Mejia made his first appearance down in the Dominican, but didn’t have a great showing, as he lasted 2.1 innings while allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks and striking out 4. Rubin also noted Mejia started the game for Licey against Escogido. Why the hell is he starting?! He, like Jeurys Familia, should be exclusively coming out of the bullpen throughout their time in the Dominican, and that’s it. Both Mejia and Familia know that coming out of the bullpen is their ticket to the Majors with the Mets, so why are they not making sure they get the work they need? It makes me wonder if New York is allowing this to showcase their ability as starting pitchers to potential trade suitors.
Wilmer Flores and Jordany Valdespin have been tearing it up at the plate since heading down to the Dominican; Flores has continued what he started during the regular season (.300/.349/.479 with 18 HR and 75 RBI in ’12) by hitting .321/.410/.453 with 5 extra base-hits in 14 games and 53 at-bats with the Bravos de Margarita. As for Valdespin, he’s only appeared in 8 games (28 at-bats) for Tigres del Licey, but he’s hitting .308/.419/.577 with 3 extra base-hits, and more importantly, he’s drawn 4 walks. The main purpose of Valdespin playing winter ball should not only be to get more at-bats, but develop some more patience at the plate, something he’s lacked throughout his professional career. It’s early in the winter, but so far, so good for the 24-year-old.