R.A. Dickey To Toronto Closer To Being A Done Deal

Sep 27, 2012; Flushing, NY,USA; New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) waves to the fans after recording his 20th win of the season in the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mets won 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PREWIRE
The Mets Hot Stove is glowing a bright orange today. A deal to trade the 2012 National League Cy Young award winner to the Toronto Blue Jays appears to be near complete. The two main players involved are, of course, R.A. Dickey in exchange for the Blue Jays’ top catching prospect, Travis d’Arnaud.
As Tweeted by Mike Puma, there is the possibility the deal can expand to include as many as seven players. This morning, Andy Martino Tweeted the Blue Jays are willing to include both d’Arnaud and outfielder Anthony Gose in a potential trade. If Travis d’Arnaud is not included in the package, then catching prospect J.P. Arencibia becomes a strong candidate to be moved.
Toronto would like for such an expanded deal to be contingent upon them being able to sign R.A. Dickey to a contract extension. Naturally, today has been filled with conflicting reports as to whether R.A. Dickey would be amicable to extending with Toronto. This afternoon, Joel Sherman suggested Dickey’s reluctance to extend with the Jays might be what is holding up the deal. But Andy Martino has stated otherwise. And Jon Heyman also seems to agree Dickey might possibly sign with Toronto.
For the Mets, if they were to receive either of Toronto’s catching prospects, and land a center fielder in the way of Gose, they would have potentially addressed two glaring needs with perhaps two major league ready prospects. The loss of R.A. Dickey would then leave the Mets trying to figure out their fourth and fifth starting options for next season’s rotation. Along with R.A. Dickey, it is also rumored Josh Thole could be included in the trade.
This evening on ESPN New York 98.7fm, Adam Rubin suggested there remains a strong possibility the deal does not get done tonight.
Stick with Rising Apple tonight. I’m on it.