Nothing To See Here: Mets Reportedly 'Not Close' To Extending Wright, Dickey
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Progress?
There doesn't appear to be much of it at the moment, Mets fans.
With not much money to spend on free agents this offseason, the main storyline for New York this winter is whether or not general manager Sandy Alderson will lock up the team's two superstars -- David Wright and R.A. Dickey -- to long-term contract extensions.
The Mets promptly ensured that both players will return to Flushing in 2013 by exercising their club options following the World Series -- $16 million for Wright and $5 million for Dickey.
But now the task of securing their services for the long haul becomes much for daunting for Alderson and company. Wright, who has repeatedly said that he wants to remain a Met for years a come, will require well over $100 million. And Dickey, the knuckleball sensation who is the favorite by many to win the National League Cy Young Award, is reportedly seeking a three-year, $36 million deal.
But the talks and negotiations are slow-moving, the Star-Ledger reported. One person with knowledge of the contract proceedings told the newspaper that the Mets are "not close" to agreeing to terms with either player.
Alderson and his staff have reiterated that they hope to keep both players in Queens, though the Amazin's could look to trade Dickey -- whose stock is sky-high at the moment -- if they can't reach a deal with the 38-year-old veteran.
There is a chance that headway could be made at the general managers' meetings beginning tomorrow in Indian Wells, California, though those meetings tend to be focused more on business issues around the game as opposed to player personnel moves.
Dickey was brilliant for the Mets this season, going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA. He amassed 230 strikeouts and walked just 54.
Wright was scorching hot in the first half of the season, but struggled in the second half. Still, he finished 2012 with very solid numbers, batting .306 with 21 homers and 93 RBIs. He also drew 81 walks, stole 15 bases, ripped 41 doubles and posted a .391 on-base percentage.
Do you think the Mets will extend Wright, Dickey or neither this offseason? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
