Monday, December 10, 2012

The Logical Move

The story of the Mets offseason has moved to R.A. Dickey now that David Wright has a home for the future. And this story reads quite differently than any other of the offseason. The Mets front office is genuinely conflicted as to whether to trade him or sign him to an extension. The good news is they can not really lose either way. The bad news is this could go wrong fast.

If the Mets do decide to trade Dickey it shouldn't just be about grabbing at the shiniest object on the market. As of last night the shiniest object, Wil Meyers, was traded elsewhere. So now instead of reaching for an outstanding outfield prospect they would be reaching for Mike Olt, a third baseman. I understand that he's a prime prospect. However, he is still a third baseman, a position the Mets have covered for a long while. It seems to have become the Mets trademark to move infielders to the outfield and if that's what they want to do with Olt, that's they're decision. But if it doesn't, they would have given their Cy Young winner for a blocked prospect.

Obviously, there are many scenarios that wouldn't have the Mets get Olt. But with the Dodgers and Royals out of the market for Dickey the next logical teams are the Rangers and Blue Jays. And while it's easy to go for the biggest prospect and the biggest offer out there, it's more important to get a prospect that will help. The Blue Jays seem to have a surplus of catchers so maybe they'd be better trade partners.

The Mets are right to ask for a lot in trades. They're right to want a top-tier prospect. This is a trade for a Cy Young winner. It's also one situation where they can look for the perfect trade because signing Dickey to an extension is just as good a move.

Let's Go Mets!

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