PORT ST. LUCIE — R.A. Dickey could be headed toward a more certain future with the Mets.
According to a source, team brass has already begun discussing various possibilities — with no resolution — on which direction to move with Dickey, who is signed through this season, with the Mets holding an option for 2013.
Dickey told The Post yesterday that he would love knowing before the season begins if the Mets plan to exercise that option, but he also understands if the team decides to wait.
Among the possibilities is exercising the option and then offering the popular knuckleballer a one-year extension — with perhaps another option, keeping the 37-year-old Dickey under club control through 2015.
But various scenarios have been discussed.
Dickey signed a two-year contract worth $7.8 million following the 2010 season. The option for 2013 is worth $5 million.
“The honest answer is, it’s nice playing with the security of another year,” Dickey said, when asked if he would like the option picked up sooner rather than later. “I like it here with New York. I like the fans, I like the direction [general manager] Sandy Alderson is taking the team. I think ultimately I would like to be part of the solution here.”
Dickey is 19-22 with a 3.08 ERA in two seasons with the Mets, averaging nearly 200 innings after a journeyman’s career.
“The hope is that they identify a player that can give them a good bit of value, and they want to hang onto that kind of player,” Dickey said.
* The Mets moved closer to an Opening Day roster yesterday, when Jordany Valdespin was optioned to the minors and Lucas May, Garrett Olsen, Matt den Dekker, Rob Johnson and Adam Loewen were reassigned.
Manager Terry Collins said Mike Nickeas will be the backup catcher and Mike Baxter will be a backup outfielder, if the Mets don’t acquire another outfielder off waivers in the coming days.
Daniel Herrera appears set to make the team as a lefty reliever if Tim Byrdak isn’t ready for Opening Day.
* Mike Pelfrey’s strongest start of the spring led the Mets to a 9-1 exhibition victory over the Astros last night. Pelfrey allowed one earned run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings. He had struggled in his previous four starts.
David Wright’s fourth-inning grand slam against Livan Hernandez was Wright’s first homer this spring.