Which moves have they made towards that goal?
What are they building?
I see a lot of tearing down in preperation to rebuilding but other than Wheeler what have they actually rebuilt?

What moves have they made to start down that long term competitive path?

I’m not saying Dickey is untradeable, I’m saying his value is hurt by a lot of things such as age, repertoire, contract.

It just doesn’t make sense. Cheap in 2013 yes, but in 2014? what is the team’s guarantee at that point?

I half agree. They aren’t being driven by PR concerns, but not because they have their paycheck, but because they are trying to build a team that can be a sustained playoff caliber team for years in a row, even if it takes a few years of building to get there.

and what they usually end up with is someone like Marquis for $8-10 mill. Or a relaimation project like Pelf or Young for a couple mill.

so, the chance to get an Ace level pitcher coming off a cy young year at 5 mill IMO is going to attract a lot of bidders.

not often you can pick up a reigning cy young for $5mill, and not even have to worry about getting stuck if he doesn’t keep it up.

teams would probably be a lot more leery if he had a career year at an advanced age, but he was signed for 5 more years at big $$!

It’s no more a trick than a changeup, slider or a sinker is!

Most pitches are predicated on getting a certain type of spin mechanics to get the ball to break one way or another.

The Knuckleball is merely a pitch that relies on little to no spin!

No different as far as spin mechanics go as a slider or curve is in that regard.
It’s not a trick, there is no magic wand the only reason why it’s rarely used is because most people can’t seem to handle the grip needed to produce little to no spin thats all!

Just as some pitchers can’t seem to handle the grip in other pitches they throw because they can’t get the ball over the plate.

“Also, consistent effectiveness of a knuckleballer usually does not last over the long haul. And, when they’re on, they’re very good. But when that ball ain’t knukling, they’re very bad. He’s 37 y/o, all I’m saying is exhibit caution with a contract.”

I agree 100% with everything you just said. That’s why I think his trade value to other GMs won’t be as high as we think because if we think this is true – then how many GM’s think like this?

This is what I’ve been saying all along. A trade has got to be explored right now during the off season when his value is at its highest. He could be a full one year rental to a team at a very reasonable option year salary. If they wait till the deadline his value will go down and the team may want to make the trade contingent on them negotiating an extension with him, further complicating the trade.

If the Mets move forward with Dickey, then I think extreme caution should be taken in what they offer him. Overall I don’t think his tenure with the Mets has been smoke and mirrors. But I do believe his dominating performance this past year probably will not be repeated. Also, consistent effectiveness of a knukleballer usually does not last over the long haul. And, when they’re on, they’re very good. But when that ball ain’t knukling, they’re very bad. He’s 37 y/o, all I’m saying is exhibit caution with a contract.

AS THE PITCH IS MORE A DYING ART THAN “TRICK” IT’S EFFECT ON YOUNGER & YOUNGER OPPONENTS WILL NOT DECREASE AS DICKEY IS CURRENTLY THE LAST PRACTICIONER ACTIVE ON THE MOUND. AS EACH PITCH FOLLOWS IT’S OWN UNIQUE TRAJECTORY IT NULLIFIES THE TYPICAL & PREDOMINANT HITTING PREPARATIO TOOL (VIDEO STUDY)
IN MY ESTIMATION IT IS NO MORE A “TRICK” PITCH THAN THE SPLITFINGER WAS TO BRUCE SUTTER OR CUTTER TO RIVERA..
IT CERTAINLY SHOULD ENHANCE HIS VALUE MUCH MORE THAN UNDERMINE IT SUTTER HAD HIS SPLITTER, RIVERA, THE CUTTER & McGRAW HIS SCROOGIE. ALL ARE/ WERE EFFECTIVE CLOSERS WHILE DICKEY’S STRENGTH IS THE REPEATABILITY OF HIS PITCH(100+ TIMES/GAME) ALONG WITH ITS’ UNIQUE BEHAVIORS LENDING IT A HUMILIATION FACTOR THAT UNDERMINES A YOUNG SLUGGER’S CONFIDENCE(SEE BRYCE HARPER)

Also, I think Dickey knows that an open market for him may not be the best thing. I think he’s a very special case and I think both sides understand that which is why I expect a short deal like 2 years only more $ than his previous deal.

I also think teams are going to weigh giving up a good, young player for a pitcher that’s going to be 38 next season, no matter what kind of year he had. Not saying it’s impossible, especially if a team has an option to slide someone else into the slot they might be thinking of giving up.