Mets Should Meet Dickey's Modest Demands

According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Mets have upped their offer to R.A. Dickey once again. It was reported on December 1 that the team had increased its offer, too. The team is now offering a deal that would total three years, $25 million. Taking Dickey's $5 million option for 2013 into consideration, that's $10 million per season in 2014 and 2015.

Martino has insisted all along that Dickey's demands for an extension are incredibly modest given the current market for starting pitchers: two years, $26 million, in addition to his option for the 2013 season. If Martino's sources are correct about that number, there's no reason the Mets shouldn't meet Dickey's demands and lock him up for the next three years.

As Sam Page pointed out yesterday, Dickey's very likely undervalued by other organizations — and particularly their fans — and may not bring back a great return in a trade. If the trade market changes and the Mets are blown away by an offer, a trade might make sense, but if the best they can get for Dickey right now is Mike Olt, they're better off with Dickey.

Yes, Dickey is a 38-year-old pitcher, but that's just about the only knock on him right now. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, and even if he returns to his 2010-11 level of production, he will be more than worth the extension he seeks.