Post Updated 1/31 4:20 PM
The New York Mets today announced that they have signed righthanded pitcher R.A. Dickey to a two-year contract with a club option for 2013.
Dickey compiled a 11-9 record in 2010 and finished seventh in the National League with a 2.84 ERA. He became the first pitcher in team history to go 6-0 in his first seven starts and tossed the 35th one-hitter in franchise history on August 13 at Citi Field to beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 1-0. The only hit he allowed was a sixth-inning single by pitcher Cole Hamels.
“R.A. had a breakthrough season for our organization last year, meriting this new contract,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “We expect R.A. to be a major part of our success going forward.”
Dickey, 36, had his contract selected from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League on May 19. The Nashville, TN native set career highs in wins, starts (26), innings (174.1) strikeouts (104) and complete games (two).
The Mets have now reached agreements with two of the three players who were eligible for salary arbitration. The team signed Mike Pelfrey to a one-year contract on January 18, while outfielder Angel Pagan has yet to reach an agreement.
From Mets Press Release
Original Post 1/28 11:00 PM
The Mets and R.A. Dickey have avoided arbitration and agreed to a two-year deal according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News via Twitter. The deal also includes a club option for a third season.
Andy Martino just added via Twitter that the deal is worth $7.5 million dollars over two years and also includes incentives and a team option for a third year.
The contract is pending a physical which has been scheduled for Monday.
This will cover Dickey’s final arbitration season and at least his first year of free agency.
When when arbitration figures were exchanged last Tuesday, Dickey requested $4.7 million and the Mets countered with $3.35 million. On Monday, Alderson said he was not ruling out a multi-year deal for Dickey, and it’s nice to see the two sides come to an agreement.
Dickey, 35, had a phenomenal season in 2010 for the Mets and emerged as on of the leaders in the clubhouse. He went 11-9 and posted a 2.84 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP over 174 1/3 innings last season, over 26 games started. He struck out 104 batters while walking 42.
This is certainly some good news on what has been a pretty drab day for the Mets and their fans.
