Mets gauging trade interest in R.A. Dickey

The Mets have been actively gauging trade interest in R.A. Dickey; the two sides remain far apart in contract extension discussions. (Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The Mets have been discussing their All-Star knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey, in trades, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Mets picked up Dickey's contract option in October, but discussions about an extension have been moving very slowly.

In fact, while Dickey told reporters in Manhattan that there was 'progress' in negotiations, the impression the Mets were leaving on executives at the General Managers Meetings was that there was a substantial gap between what they are willing to offer the righty and what they perceive Dickey wants.

According to Sherman, the Mets have been increasing efforts to gauge what they could receive back in return for Dickey. Internally, the team is conflicted about trading Dickey:

One team official said that to have any chance at contention next year, the Mets need to retain their strength, which is starting pitching, and try to augment around that. However, another executive described a roster in need of multiple upgrades and limited prospects and dollars to address those holes. Dickey would provide a chip the Mets could turn into potentially a few long-term solutions.