KEEPING IT DEAL: It’s possible R.A. Dickey has acknowledged the Citi Field crowd for the last time as a Met. GM Sandy Alderson said yesterday the Amazin’s are discussing trade possibilities at the Winter Meetings involving the Cy Young Award winner. (AP)
NASHVILLE — The Mets’ tribute to the Music City yesterday moved closer to including a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” — or in this case “Auld Lang Cy” — for R.A. Dickey.
With the Winter Meetings officially underway, general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged engaging in trade talks concerning the veteran knuckleballer, for whom the Mets are seeking pieces that would impact their 2013 fortunes. An industry source said Alderson has spoken with seven to eight teams about Dickey.
Alderson said he expects to have a better sense of which direction the Mets will head by tomorrow. The GM hasn’t ruled out signing the NL Cy Young award winner to a contract extension, but his actions indicate a preference to make a deal.
The Red Sox were among the teams Alderson spoke to yesterday, according to a major league source. But the Mets’ request that Boston include top prospects — outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and shortstop Xavier Bogaerts — stalled discussions before they could get serious.
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The Blue Jays, Royals, Rangers and Brewers also have shown some level of interest in Dickey, who is unsigned beyond next season. He will make $5 million in 2013.
Alderson made it clear the Mets won’t settle for low-level minor leaguers in a potential deal for Dickey.
“Are we punting 2013? Absolutely not,” Alderson said. “This is not about making a trade for four players from the Appalachian League. Our goal, you have to balance the quality of the player with the potential arrival date of the player, obviously, so that’s something we’re trying to do.”
The Mets have glaring holes in the outfield and at catcher, but Alderson said it’s not necessary to receive players at those positions in return for Dickey.
“What we’ve tried to say to ourselves is we have to get back a difference maker,” Alderson said. “It doesn’t have to be a catcher, it doesn’t have to be an outfielder, it doesn’t have to be anything. But it has to be a difference maker, because R.A. is a difference maker.”
The Mets have also discussed Jon Niese with several teams, but Alderson said there have been fewer trade talks concerning the left-hander than Dickey. Alderson cautioned that could change.
As far as contract talks with Dickey’s camp, Alderson said he doesn’t have a scheduled meeting with the right-hander’s agent, Bo McKinnis. The Mets and Dickey have discussed a two-year extension beyond 2013, but remain apart on dollars.
If an agreement can’t be reached, the Mets could let Dickey play out his contract, but Alderson’s preference would be a resolution to the issue.
“The teams that are interested will approach us,” Alderson said. “It’s conceivable that as the market shifts and the [Zack] Greinkes come and go, that the interest may be shown by a club later rather than now, that’s always a possibility, but we’re not actively out promoting interest or buying billboards.”
* David Wright underwent a physical yesterday, but the Mets had no official announcement on his new eight-year, $138 million contract. … Wright will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. … Manager Terry Collins said Jenrry Mejia will go to spring training as a starting pitcher, with Jeurys Familia in the bullpen.