Adam Rubin: Tweets from Sandy's Conference Call

[Sick Of It All]

@AdamRubinESPN
Alderson begins apologizing to writers, thanking Dickey. "The final chapter has not been written, but it has been an extraordinary career."

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Alderson said difficult call if presented with R.A. at Mets' number or this package. But said genuine interest to retain Dickey.

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"We do expect to do some other things. We do expect to acquire some other players. ... We're certainly not punting on 2013."

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Toronto initially expressed interest a week before winter meetings.

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Alderson said by Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, final structure of players in deal was put in place.

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"The decision to trade R.A. was not made until we understand what the final deal would be with Toronto."

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Sandy told d'Arnaud he would come to camp and see what happens. "But Travis is very close to the major leagues."

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D'Arnaud did not have surgery for ligament tear in knee. Not standard protocol. Wasn't complete tear. Was examined by Mets doctors.

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"We very d'Arnaud, and I believe the industry views Travis, as the top catching prospect in the game" ... and closest to major league ready.

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"Noah is a very high ceilling power pitching. He's further away, obviously, having just pitched in low-A last year." ETA not soon.

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"This means nothing about the Mets' finances. This was a baseball decision. ... We did prefer at the outset to sign him."

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Alderson: It also became clear in a hot market for pitching his value in a trade was also skyrocketing.

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"Were we not able to get the quality in return ... I expect R.A. would have remained a Met."

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"We're not going to replace him with a No. 1 starter in return, but we're going to have to find someone to give us some of those wins."

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"I recognize this is an entertainment business and it was great to have R.A. here." Yet felt long term this was right thing to do.

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Mets will acquire someone in rotation to whom they will commit a starting role. (Not someone to compete with Mejia.)

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On catching, Alderson said he would find additional catching, for depth if nothing else.

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Have been talking with free-agent outfielders and with teams about trades. "there's a long time between now and the beginning of february."

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Jays say R.A. Dickey will not be available tonight.

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Toronto GM said he first approached Sandy at GM meetings, but first attempt at deal was week before winter meetings.

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Alex Anthopolous: "It looked dead at the winter meetings."

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Toronto GM agreed to deal Thursday afternoon.

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AA: "D'Arnaud was made available for quite some time in this deal, but it didn't really go somewhere."

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Toronto GM: Noah Syndergaard pushed over finish line.

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AA: "I think it comes down to how you evaluate R.A. I think that's going to define how you evaluate this trade for us."

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AA: "We just felt we were so close to contention, this is a deal we had to make."

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AA: d'Arnaud on table for 10 days. Sandy had leverage because had option to keep Dickey.

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AA also said in Halladay trade talks he didn't want 1 premium prospect back. Wanted at least 2. So he understands Alderson perspective.

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AA asked Alderson the extension $ Dickey was seeking. AA said the number was reasonable enough. He would have walked away if not.

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First conversation between R.A. and AA (as well as John Gibbons) was in Nashville Saturday afternoon.

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Window from league to negotiate extension was approved by MLB on Saturday afternoon.

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Financial deal between Dickey's agent and Jays was done at 6 p.m. Sunday.

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John Buck needed to be in deal because Jays at their financial limit. Toronto needed Mets to take the $6M. That's why Thole a Jay.

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He said not a big deal because package finalized Thursday. // RT @feeger: Did you ask AA if he was bothered by all the leaks you guys had?

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AA did add that Thole and Nickeas catching R.A. was big factor. AA watched knuckleball documentary and didn't want catcher struggling.

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AA said he didn't see AL East ripe for taking with Yankees and Red Sox having issues. "Those two teams can always contend."

[yfern328]

So there's only one thing I learned from this that's new. When they initially reported that Mejia was taking Dickey's spot, they weren't serious. Rubin didn't cover it as well, but basically it looks like we're in the market for a pitcher that can get 10-12 wins. I like Mejia, but I think this is the right move, we need a guy that can throw some guaranteed innings.

It was mentioned we are looking for a guy like Chris Capuano. So I assume we will want a guy that has had issues in the past, was good at one point, and we will need him to start games until June and then be ready to move to the pen when Wheeler gets called up.

Was wondering who you guys thought might be available that fits that description in FA?

[Sick Of It All]

Chris Young will resign.

[YoungStuna28]

Chris Young will resign.

I hope not. Is that your opinion? We should go after Liriano.

[dunbummin]

So there's only one thing I learned from this that's new. When they initially reported that Mejia was taking Dickey's spot, they weren't serious. Rubin didn't cover it as well, but basically it looks like we're in the market for a pitcher that can get 10-12 wins. I like Mejia, but I think this is the right move, we need a guy that can throw some guaranteed innings.

It was mentioned we are looking for a guy like Chris Capuano. So I assume we will want a guy that has had issues in the past, was good at one point, and we will need him to start games until June and then be ready to move to the pen when Wheeler gets called up.

Was wondering who you guys thought might be available that fits that description in FA?

The first person that comes to mind is Chris Capuano. (LOL) Dodgers have indicated that he is available, but his backloaded contract would cost $6 million for 2013 plus a $1 million buyout of a $6 million option for 2014.

In free agency, I see Jair Jurrjens and Dallas Braden as low risk possibilities, if signed to relatively low base salaries with incentives for starts or innings pitched. Also, resigning Chris Young is a viable option. Another year removed from surgery should make him even better than he was last year.

[MLB2K10King]

I hope not. Is that your opinion? We should go after Liriano.

We'll go dumpster diving and sign someone who blew out both of his knees and shoulder, and we'll sign a minor league has been who hit 10 homers in triple A and Sandy will say that this is proof that we are not punting 2013. Liriano will be signed by a team for a contract that is pretty reasonable, and Sandy will say that he would have asked for too much. Quote me.

[Claymation]

Chris Young will resign.

Ya think?

[metsbulls1025]

Jair Jurrjens is someone I wouldn't mind near the back end.

[BradHolt4CYoung]

I like Young. Hope he's back. Dont see whats the big deal we give him a minor league deal or close to it and he pitched really solid when he is healthy...then he gets hurt and someone fills in. Whats so bad about that?

[yfern328]

Again, I think a big factor we will look at is a guy's ability to start for half the season and then move to the pen.

[MLB2K10King]

Again, I think a big factor we will look at is a guy's ability to start for half the season and then move to the pen.

Why not get someone who can fill the spot for the entire year. I love the idea of having six really good starting pitchers more than I do Four good pitchers,with one decent guy who can't stay healthy and has to be replaced by someone who has a lot of potential but is not ready.

[metsbulls1025]

Why not get someone who can fill the spot for the entire year. I love the idea of having six really good starting pitchers more than I do Four good pitchers,with one decent guy who can't stay healthy and has to be replaced by someone who has a lot of potential but is not ready.

I think he is saying you could bring up Wheeler and move the guy he is talking about to the pen.

[MLB2K10King]

I think he is saying you could bring up Wheeler and move the guy he is talking about to the pen.

I get what he's saying, but my big concern with this team is that Sandy seems to be building up this great hope in the farm system. We have a lot of potential but prospects are not garuntee'd to pan out. Look at Alex Escobar, Fernando martinezv or Justin Huber. And If they do pan out you still need a few solid pieces already there. We don't have enough of those and Sandy has yet to show me that he is willing to invest in those pieces

[macattack]

i would think putting loriano back together with santana would be good. i also read in these tweets that SA is looking at TRADES and FA for outfielders

[metsbulls1025]

I get what he's saying, but my big concern with this team is that Sandy seems to be building up this great hope in the farm system. We have a lot of potential but prospects are not garuntee'd to pan out. Look at Alex Escobar, Fernando martinezv or Justin Huber. And If they do pan out you still need a few solid pieces already there. We don't have enough of those and Sandy has yet to show me that he is willing to invest in those pieces

But right now we have 4 starters and a hole. If you bring in someone as a stop gap until the break, bring up Harvey, and then move that guy to the pen.

We won't be getting a super star pitcher this year. Regardless of the money situation there just wasn't anyone available after Greinke.

As long as Niese, Gee, and Harvey keep getting better we will be fine.