As we reported on Tuesday (see original post below), R.A. Dickey is in store for huge raise even if he were to lose his arbitration case with the Mets next month.
The lowest Dickey can earn will be the $3.35 million that the Mets submitted as their arbitration figure, a $2.7 million dollar raise over last year’s $600K earnings for a surprisingly phenomenal season.
Even though figures have been exchanged by both sides, Dickey remains hopeful that he and the Mets can agree on a 2-year deal that will keep him from becoming a free agent after the 2011 season.
“Just out of respect for the process, I can’t really comment on it right this second. But I still am hopeful for it,” Dickey said about signing a multi-year deal. “It’s the first time that I’ve ever been through it, and it’s the way I want to treat it right now.”
Dickey went 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA in 26 starts for the Mets last season, but this spring will be the first time he doesn’t have to worry about making the opening day roster.
“Going into spring training the last 15 years of my career, I’ve had to go in full bore, ready to open eyes, and try to make a team. Or not make a team,” Dickey said. “This year I’ll be able to go in and work on my craft. And that’s pretty neat to be able to do that. I’ve never had the opportunity to do that.”
Dickey is such a class act and this year he is the veteran leader of the staff at least until Johan Santana returns.
Original Post 1/18 8:00 AM
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reported the figures that were exchanged today between the Mets and their two remaining arbitration eligible players, outfielder Angel Pagan and pitcher R.A. Dickey.
R.A. Dickey
2010 earnings: $572,865
Dickey’s request: $4.7 million
Team’s offer: $3.35 million
Eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, assuming 165 of 183 days are spent at major league active roster or DL.Angel Pagan
2010 earnings: $1,662,500
Pagan’s request: $4.2 million
Team’s offer: $3.0625 million
Eligible for free agency after the 2012 season.
To say I was a little surprised by these figures would be an understatement. Clearly, I should have played more baseball growing up as a kid.
The sides can still settle before hearings, which take place in February in Florida.
As was already reported earlier, Mike Pelfrey settled with the Mets today for $3.925 million, with $50,000 in performance bonuses. Not a bad haul considering he earned just $500K last season.
