Mets Would Want “Monster” Package for Dickey; Spring Training Schedule Released

As the Mets continue to walk the fine line of negotiating a contract extension for R.A. Dickey, things get a little more interesting, as Andy Martino of the NY Daily News reported the Amazins would be looking to get a lot in return for the Cy Young winner if he were to be traded. During the GM Meetings, it was rumored Alderson was pricing Dickey’s worth at a catcher and/or outfielder, but that seems to have increased to either high-end prospects or legitimate MLB-ready talent at either of those positions. Despite him being a knuckleballer, teams should be hard-pressed to give up their best and brightest for probably only 2-3 years of decent performance from the 38-year-old.

Martino cited another MLB executive in his article and said if the Mets couldn’t get the “monster” package they’re looking for, they will probably hold onto him. Although no new news has surfaced since the offering of another two-year extension since the weekend, this story leads me to believe the two sides are getting closer to an agreement. They must be so far deep into talks and making such good progress that an interested team will really have to blow them out of the water in order to trigger Alderson to accept any kind of deal.

July 24, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) walks off the field after giving up four runs to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

Meanwhile, MetsBlog told us that other teams have an interest in David Wright….well, I would hope so! This is a soon-to-be 30-year-old that is coming off the best defensive year of his career, and has the potential to hit 25 homers and drive in 100 every year if surrounded by a legitimate supporting cast. The latest rumor is from Dino Costa of SirusXM, stating he’s heard that the Rockies have an interest in Wright. Don’t start to get worried, just because the two sides stalled in negotiations last week over the amount of guaranteed years in his potential extension doesn’t mean he’s on his way out of town. They’re close enough where I don’t see how talks could completely break down and he gets dealt. However, crazier things have happened.

The Yankees apparently have an interest in free agent outfielder Scott Hairston, as they ponder the possibility of using him as part of a platoon with Raul Ibanez, who the Bronx Bombers have also discussed bringing back after spending 2012 with the organization. Just as we suspected, Hairston is drawing interest among enough teams to price him out of the Mets range. Honestly, it will probably only take a multi-year offer from another team for the Amazins to throw in the towel when it comes to attempting to bring him back for his third season in Flushing.

There were a lot of great articles to read on Rising Apple yesterday; if you wanted to see the value J.P. Arencibia could have to the Mets in a potential trade, take a look at what I had to say about him. Will DeBoer started a new series to celebrate the end of 2012 by beginning his countdown of the top 10 Mets games from this past season. Were you mad to hear the lowest price for a single seat on Opening Day next season was $63? Well, Danny Abriano is, and see why.

Keeping an eye on 2013, New York released their schedule of games for Spring Training yesterday. The journey for respectability next season will begin on February 23rd in Port St. Lucie, as the Amazins will commence their Grapefruit League season with a game against Davey Johnson and the defending NL East champion Nationals. In his post detailing each game up to March 28th, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York also mentioned the Mets playing games against the University of Michigan and the Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team.

We are one day closer to Thanksgiving, and hopefully one day closer to the “clarity” Alderson wants to have in the team’s negotiations with both Dickey and Wright.