R.A. Dickey will not sign for next season if not offered contract extension this winter - MLB News
New York Mets’ starting pitcher R.A. Dickey is looking to be offered a deal during the on-going offseason as opposed to be contacted in the upcoming season for this purpose.
He wants to secure himself at the earliest, which can happen only when the Mets grant him a contract renewal this winter.
Dickey, along with David Wright, is waiting for a response from the management whether they are seriously interested in retaining him beyond 2013. While chances of Wright being awarded an extension are extremely high, Dickey cannot be sure.
The option of trading Dickey and acquiring quality prospects in return is an equally lucrative one for the team officials.
Other than this, Dickey’s age is another factor that can discourage the officials to risk giving him a long-term extension.
The statement by Dickey can be taken as a warning by the Mets, because it clearly reflects his apprehensions and the fear of being declined an agreement renewal down the line. It also shows that the Mets are not highly enthusiastic about retaining Dickey.
"I did because of the verbiage that (general manager) Sandy (Alderson) used at the end of the season kind of led me to believe that he wanted to do something very soon," Dickey said. "Now that was my expectation based on his words. But these things -- I
think I've said this before -- they kind of take on a life of their own. They have a timing for things. We have until spring training.”
New York picked up their option on Dickey for 2013, which clearly indicated trust of the team in his abilities for leading their pitching staff for another year. It also was acknowledgement of incredible shows that Dickey put up at the mound for the club
during the 2012 season.
Dickey, right now, looks to be concerned about his future. He likes to stay in the same club and avoid using the option of free agency after the 2013 season.
His performance in the upcoming season will go a long way in determining as to whether he tests free agency and remains a part of the Mets.
It will be interesting to see the impact that his latest statement renders on the Mets’ officials and how their plan towards him changes.
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