After his stellar CY Young-worthy 2012 season, the New York Mets are currently trying to work out a long-term deal with the pitcher. The team picked up his $5million option for 2013, but would like to have him for the long haul. According to "sources," the Mets are low balling the pitcher and want him to sign a team friendly deal. Here is the caveat, Dickey is 37 years old and has made a "modest" $8.6million in his career. He deserves a big payday, and the cash strapped Mets cannot afford to give him one along with franchise cornerstone David Wright.
The Mets are reportedly going to listen to offers on the knuckleballer, and some in the industry believe this is merely a ploy by GM Sandy Alderson to scare Dickey into signing a team friendly contract. Either way, it is being reported that the Mets primarily want help at the catcher and outfield positions and the Red Sox can definitely offer something enticing to the team from Queens. Here is what I would offer to the Mets (and I must preface this by saying, I'm very disappointed that the team bought Jason Bay out from his deal because the salary relief Boston could have offered the Mets could have gotten a deal done quicker).
C Ryan Lavarnway
OF Ryan Kalish
OF Brandon Jacobs
SP Stolmy Pimentel
SP Noe Ramirez
1) The package begins with power hitting catcher Ryan Lavarnway who is ready to play everyday. He may not last at catcher, but he would certainly be number one on their depth chart.
2) In his debut season, Kalish showed flashes of brilliance in the field. This past year, it appeared right field at Fenway ate him up and may have diminished his confidence. Kalish could play centerfield for the Mets and has the speed to steal 15-20 bases if given chances. In his minor league career, Kalish had a line of .279/.366/.429. All very respectable.
3) Brandon Jacobs once used to be one of Boston's most talked about prospects, but with the emergence of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz, plus word that Xander Boegarts may need to move to an outfield slot, Jacobs appears to be blocked and forgotten. Getting out of Boston's system may be the best thing for the talented young outfielder. In 4 minor league season, Jacobs has a line of .270/.341/.445 and he has a .972 fielding percentage primarily in left field.
3) Stolmy Pimentel is kind of like Jacobs. Once regarded as a future staple in Boston, he regressed once being promoted to double-A last season. The fact remains, Pimentel is still only 22 years old and has his best years ahead of him. He averages 7.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 with a 4.37.
4) Noe Ramirez is basically a throw in to show the Mets they will be receiving 3 of Boston's top 40 prospects. Ramirez was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 draft and has upside, but like I said before, he is basically a throw in to help the Mets farm club.
I would love to see another knuckleballer on the Red Sox staff...especially one who throws faster and harder than Tim Wakefield. Just think, the team could have two knuckleballers on their staff with Dickey and minor leaguer Steven Wright (acquired from Cleveland for Lars Anderson in this past season).
