R.A. Dickey Agrees To Extension, Passes Physicals, Trade Complete

The R.A. Dickey trade to Toronto is all but official as of Monday evening, after players going to both teams passed their respective physicals. The former Mets knuckleballer has agreed to a two-year contract extension, meaning the Blue Jays will guarantee him $30 million over the next three years with a $12 million option for 2016, according to the New York Post's Andy Martino. I would assume that it is a team option, but that has not been made clear as of time of writing.

CBS Sport's Jon Heyman was the first to tweet out the complete trade, as summarized here:

The focus of the trade for the Blue Jays is Dickey, and the team is getting the service of a top-end pitcher for an absolute bargain.

UPDATE 1 (Minor Leaguer):

Here is the official release for your enjoyment!

TORONTO BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE R.A. DICKEY

Blue Jays and Dickey agree to contract extension

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired 2012 National League CY Young Award winner RHP R.A. DICKEY along with C JOSH THOLE and minor league C MIKE NICKEAS from the New York Mets in exchange for C JOHN BUCK, C TRAVIS d’ARNAUD, minor league RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD and minor league OF WUILMER BECCERA. The Blue Jays have also reached an agreement on a three year contract with R.A. DICKEY for the 2013-2015 seasons worth $US 29 million with a club option for the 2016 season for $US 12 million. As part of the contract Dickey will make a donation to the Jays Care Foundation.

DICKEY, 38, posted a 20-6 record in 2012 with a 2.73 ERA for the New York Mets to capture his first Cy Young Award. The 6-2, 215 lb. right-handed pitcher led the National League with 233 2/3 innings pitched and 230 strikeouts. In 10 major league seasons the native of Nashville, Tennessee has career record of 61-56 with a 3.98 ERA in 238 games, 139 starts. Over the last three seasons as a member of the New York Mets, he has posted a 2.95 ERA in 94 games, 91 starts with a 39-28 record. Has also pitched for the Texas Rangers (2001, 2003-2006) and Seattle Mariners (2008).

THOLE, 26, hit .234 in 104 games last season for the Mets with 15 doubles, one home run and 21 runs batted in. The 6-1, 215lb. left-handed hitter has a career batting average of .261 in four Major League seasons all spent with the New York Mets. He was selected by the New York Mets with their 13th round selection in the 2005 First Year Player Draft.

NICKEAS, 29, split the 2012 season between Buffalo of the International League (AAA) and the New York Mets where he hit .174 in 47 games with one home run and 13 RBI. In parts of three seasons, the native of Vancouver, British Columbia has posted an average of .180 in 73 games with two home runs and 19 RBI. In 22 games with Buffalo in 2012, the 6-0, 215 lb. right handed hitter posted a .364 average with one home run and six RBI.

UPDATE 2 (Damaso's Burnt Shirt):

Quick summary of Alex Anthopoulos' appearance on Prime Time Sports

Was the offseason planned?

AA: Didn't know he had the money he had available to spend. When the opportunities arose, he just reacted. (Rogers is not cheap!)

Did you talk to R.A. Dickey about championships?

AA: Under promise, over deliver. Talked to R.A. about how good he would make the Jays. R.A. Dickey is now the Jays #1 starter. R.A. reminded him of Jose Bautista, being undervalued because of his age and lack of previous success.

How did the trade happen?

AA: At the GM meetings. Asked him about R.A. on the bus trip back to the hotel. Kept following up with [Mets GM] Sandy Alderson. Engaged at the Winter Meetings. Talked again after the meetings. Deal was completed Thursday, but a lot of time to transfer important information. Many different offers including with or without Travis d'Arnaud. Sandy stonewalled and AA asked what it would take. Sandy said Syndergaard and that got the move made. AA said that timing was right as all the core players were signed, the rotation and BP is set so he was willing to go for it.

Are you done?

AA: Minor tweaks. (Editorial comment: Ha--he was asked the same post Mathis deal) At the upper limit of our salary range.

How did you sign RA so cheap?

AA: Gibby, AA, and another Jays scout who knew R.A. flew down to Nashville to meet R.A.. They knew what he was asking for and were willing to pay it. Part of the value of the deal is the length and dollars of the contract. R.A. Dickey was the best available. Top starters are difficult to acquire via free agency or trade (especially thanks to no-trade clauses.) AA felt that this was the deal he had to make due to the rarity of obtaining top shelf starters. AA realized the Jays needed to overhaul their starting pitching.

How did it feel to trade away all these prospects?

AA: It's hard because everyone gets attached to prospects. All the time/energy/effort done for prospects is really all about winning.

Did you take any phone calls from the players?

AA: Some texts.

Stay tuned to Bluebird Banter for further updates as the story unfolds!