UPDATE, 9:58 PM: The Post's Joel Sherman has the firmest info yet in terms of the deal's parameters.
But right now it's Dickey/Thole/prospect (told not elite) for d/Arnaud/Syndegaard/Buck/prospect (told not elite)
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 15, 2012
From the Mets' standpoint, this seems the best case scenario. d'Arnaud and Syndegaard are two top-flight young talents, and under this deal they would not have to give up what few jewels their farm system has. This also suggests that the teams are probably haggling over which "not elite" prospects to exchange. That, plus everything else that happened today, suggests no imminent resolution to this situation. Assuming this is correct, though, it does indicate an ideal return for Dickey.
FROM EARLIER
According to the Post's Mike Puma, this morning the Mets and Blue Jays discussed the parameters of a deal that would send R.A. Dickey, Josh Thole, and another Mets player or prospect to the Blue Jays for catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, right-handed pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard, big league catcher John Buck, and another Jays player or prospect.
So to recap, Dickey, Thole and another player to Jays for d'Arnaud, Buck, Syndergaard and another player was on table this morning.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 15, 2012
Meanwhile, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger says it could be Syndergaard or fellow righty Aaron Sanchez in the deal.
The Mets have also discussed Noah Syndergaard and Aaron Sanchez for this deal.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) December 15, 2012
Minor League Ball's John Sickels has ranked d'Arnaud, Syndergaard, and Sanchez 1-2-3 in Toronto's system, saying this about the three:
1) Travis d'Arnaud, C, Grade A-: Borderline B+. He's not perfect, but d'Arnaud is either the best catching prospect in baseball or the second-best behind Mike Zunino. Could use a bit more polish with his throwing and his plate discipline, but overall he's the complete package.
2) Noah Syndergaard, RHP, Grade A-: Borderline B+. I love him. Strong sinking fastball, good changeup, breaking stuff coming around, solid command, good body, good makeup, strong sabermetric profile. Just needs to stay healthy.
3) Aaron Sanchez, RHP, Grade B+: Borderline A-: Stuff is even better than Syndergaard's, three plus pitches, but needs to sharpen his control. Noah has a better balance of stuff and command than Aaron at this point, but they are very close.