Mets sign Dickey, Pagan
Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will earn an average of $3.9 million over the next two seasons with the Mets. Credit: AP
With most of the attention directed toward the Mets' financial woes, the front office quietly completed deals Monday with the club's last two arbitration-eligible players, R.A. Dickey and Angel Pagan.
Dickey, 36, received a two-year contract worth $7.8 million, with a club option for a third year, and is likely to be the No. 2 starter behind Mike Pelfrey. Dickey went 11-9 last season after his promotion from Triple-A Buffalo on May 19, and his 2.84 ERA ranked seventh in the National League. He also was the first pitcher in franchise history to go 6-0 in his first seven starts.
"It's been a long road, to say the least, and I think that things are going to get better," Dickey said. "I feel like I'm really getting to a place where I can know what I have to offer and offer it consistently."
The Mets desperately need that consistency again this season, with Johan Santana not expected back until June at the earliest after shoulder surgery and the rest of the rotation penciled in with Jon Niese, Chris Young and Chris Capuano.
"My goal at this point is to be the best bargain in baseball for the next three years," Dickey said. "To win championships, you really have to have an altruistic approach. In that, I wasn't out to break the bank from the get-go, and I know if I want to be part of the solution here - which I do - giving some things up, so to speak, might help the collective good."
The Mets bought out one of Dickey's free-agent years, and perhaps two, based on his breakthrough performance last season.
The Mets hope to get another bargain in Pagan, who signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Pagan, 29, is expected to be the starting rightfielder but could wind up in centerfield, depending on the health of Carlos Beltran.
Viola to Cyclones.Former Met Frank Viola, a Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP with the Twins, will be the pitching coach for Class A Brooklyn.
