Mets brass unhappy with Dickey’s contract complaints at kids party

So much for Christmas cheer.

R.A. Dickey used a Mets holiday function yesterday to unload his frustration with the pace of his extension negotiations. And the organization was, according to one official, “not happy” with Dickey’s message and his use of a Citi Field forum to express his criticism.

The NL Cy Young Award winner said he is unhappy with the Mets’ latest proposal, won’t sign unless the team increases its offer and threatened to flee after the campaign without an extension done this offseason.

“If that’s the decision they feel like is best for the club [not to extend], and that’s the decision that they make, I feel like it would be unfortunate, because it probably is going to mean I’m not going to be back [in 2014],” Dickey said.

The Mets’ initial bid was three years at $19 million (the $5 million Dickey is owed next year plus a two-year, $14 million extension for 2014-15). Dickey countered at three years at $31 million ($5 million plus a two-year, $26 million extension). The Mets answered by going to three years at $25 million (two-year, $20 million extension), the midpoint between $19 million and $31 million, and think Dickey must make the next compromise.

Besides the financial roadblocks, what became clearer yesterday was a underlying tension between team and player. Dickey is frustrated he cannot get the Mets to move faster, especially because, as he said, “I feel we are asking for even less than what is fair.” The Mets, meanwhile, have mounting concerns whether all of Dickey’s off-the-field endeavors could impact his on-field results or his standing in the clubhouse if the perception is that he has become too absorbed with his new celebrity.

The Mets already were annoyed, The Post has learned, Dickey last week turned down a personal appearance request from owner Fred Wilpon. Nevertheless, they knew he was in town for a business matter and asked him a few days ago to appear at Citi Field for yesterday’s holiday party. The Mets expected Dickey to be more diplomatic in his comments.

The Mets were seriously pursuing a trade of Dickey anyway, and this will only add impetus. The Mets wanted to wait until Zack Greinke signed (he inked with the Dodgers) and James Shields was traded (he went to the Royals) to clear out two big starting options and see if that motivated teams still needing top-flight starters to sweeten bids for Dickey. The Mets have sensed some movement in that direction.

The Rangers and every AL East team are among those that have inquired to varying degrees on Dickey (the Yankees mainly just doing due diligence), and the Mets have made it clear a) they want a high-end prospect such as Texas’ Mike Olt to front a deal and at least one other very good prospect to complete a deal and b) they would consider providing an acquiring team a window to negotiate an extension with Dickey if that would improve the prospect haul.

“There is a surprise sometimes when things don’t get done quickly and you think you are already extending the olive branch,” Dickey said. “But at the same time they have a budget to adhere to, and that is part of it, too.”

Sandy Alderson said: “We’re in a similar place today as we were last week. Some of the surrounding circumstances [Greinke/Shields] have changed somewhat. I would hope that we’ll have more clarity within a few days, but in the meantime we’re more or less status quo.”

Dickey was asked if he felt insulted by the Mets’ offer.

“Things are emotional for me,” Dickey said. “When people say it’s business, it’s not personal, that just means it’s not personal for them. It can be personal for me.

“I’m hoping that it’s going to end up in a good place, but you can’t help but in the back of your mind think it may not, and that’s sad.”

Payoff pitches

A look at where the Mets and R.A. Dickey stand in contract extension negotiations, with other free-agent pitcher deals for comparison:

What Dickey wants: $5M option + Two years, $26M = Three years, $31M

Dickey’s 2010-12 stats: 39-28, 2.95 ERA, 616.2 IP

What others got

Zack Greinke: 41-25, 3.83 ERA, 604 IP