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Dickey Signs 2 Yr Deal – Is This The Last Big Contract The Mets Sign? Ever?
The big pitching story of the week is R.A. Dickey’s “huge” contract. It’s a huge contract in terms of this is the most expensive contract the Mets may be signing for quite a while due to the Wilpon’s new financial troubles. I haven’t heard the final numbers of this contract but sources are reporting this contract to be 2 yrs, $8 million with a club option for a 3rd year.
On a side note R.A. did say that after the 2010 season, he was going to compete in a triathlon — a 25-mile bicycle ride, a six-mile run and a one-mile swim. No word on how that turned out but triathlon training is notorious for preventing injuries as your working out the vast majority of muscles in your body. I know someone must be able to locate Dickey’s triathlon results?
Bullpen Update –
The Mets added some depth to their relief corps on Friday, inking Blaine Boyer to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training.
The 29-year-old right-hander has pitched in the big leagues in each of the past six seasons, splitting his service time between the Braves, Cardinals and D-backs.
Boyer, 9-12 with a 4.63 ERA in his career, was originally drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He worked his way through the organization and made his big league debut for the Braves in 2005, and he stayed with Atlanta until a turbulent 2009 season that saw him move to two other organizations.
The Mets also signed left-handed reliever Tim Byrdak to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Byrdak, 37, posted a 3.49 ERA for the Astros last season, striking out 29 batters and walking 20 in 38 2/3 innings. Though he holds a 4.35 career ERA, Byrdak has produced a 3.46 mark over the past four seasons with the Tigers and Astros. Last year, he held left-handed hitters to a .213 average.
Byrdak will compete with Taylor Tankersley, also on a Minor League deal, for the primary left-handed setup role in the Mets’ bullpen, a role that Oliver Perez should also vie for but he continues to remain a long shot to make the team.
The Mets are really scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of money but even by scraping the bottom of the barrel this staff will be better than last year’s.
The Mets Report 