Report: Mets Expect to Trade R.A. Dickey as Soon as Friday

Mets fans just can’t win.

R.A. Dickey made himself a cult hero after winning the National League Cy Young award in 2012, which came after he released a book detailing his against-the-odds story. It’s not hard to see why Dickey has become so beloved in such a short time.

But that doesn’t mean Dickey’s goodwill with the fans is going to change the Mets’ plans as the team faces financial concerns. The team expects to trade Dickey as soon as Friday, according to ESPN.

Dickey is under team control, but he has asked New York for a two-year, $26 million extension. The Mets countered with $20 million and appear unwilling to budge.

Interest in the knuckleballer is very high, with a number of teams involved in discussions with the Mets. Thursday’s signing of Josh Hamilton may make the Angels an even more likely player for Dickey, as the signing eliminated a role in the outfield for either Mark Trumbo or Peter Bourjos. The Blue Jays, too, have a surplus of catchers and outfielders.