Mets trade Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to Blue Jays.
NL Cy Young winner gets two more years and $25 million added to his deal.
The New York Mets have traded NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays in a seven-player deal Monday.
The teams announced the trade after Dickey and the Blue Jays agreed to a new contract that added two years and $25 million to his existing deal.
Toronto acquired the 38-year-old knuckleballer and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The Mets got top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and catcher John Buck, plus minor league right-hander Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Wuilmer Becerra.
“Now that its official, I want to say that I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am to you for the steadfast support,” Dickey posted on Twitter. “Thank you for making me feel wanted.”
“Looking forward to a new chapter with the Jays,” he wrote.
Dickey was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA last season, cap- ping his rapid rise from the majors’ scrap heap to an ace pitcher. He did it by perfecting a way to throw his floater faster than previous knuckleballers, and tossing it with exceptional control.
“It was an extraordinary privilege for us to be part of his career,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said about Dickey on a conference call. “The final chapter has not been written.”
Dickey is set to become part of a rotation that includes Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle and returning starters Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow.
“We’re just so close to contention,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “It’s not just about one season. This allows us to put what we feel is a contending team together for an extended run, for a threeto-five-year period.”
Astros: Houston has signed veteran Carlos Pena to be their designated hitter, addressing a key need as they prepare for their first season in the American League.
Pena, 34, who spent last season in his second stint with Tampa Bay, hit .197 with 19 home runs and 61 RBIs in 2012. Terms were not released.
Cubs: Chicago announced a one-year, $2 million contract with third baseman Ian Stewart. Acquired from Colorado last December, he batted .201 in 55 games and had season-ending left wrist surgery.
Chicago also announced a two-year minor league deal with Korean reliever ChangYong Lim, a 17-year veteran of the Korean and Japanese leagues.
Tigers: Right-handed pitcher Anibal Sanchez, 28, who was acquired from the Marlins in June, officially signed a fiveyear, $80 million contract with Detroit. The club has an option for a sixth year. Sanchez had a 3.74 ERA with the Tigers in 12 starts.
Red Sox: Shortstop Stephen Drew (.250, five HRs, 16 RBIs finishing with Oakland last season) has agreed to a one-year contract with Boston, sources told ESPN The Magazine on Monday. The deal calls for a $9.5 million salary and $500,000 in performance bonuses, the sources said.