As the trade winds surrounding RA Dickey continue to swirl, the names that the New York Mets have been rumored to be inquiring about are an indication that the team is going to want a substantial haul for the 2012 NL Cy Young winner. From the Royals, the Mets reportedly asked for top prospect Wil Myers. From the Red Sox, the Mets apparently demanded Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. Just by mentioning those prospects' names, you get a sense of what the Mets are looking for in return.
In addition to the Royals and Red Sox, it's being reported that the Rangers, Orioles, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Nationals were also inquiring about Dickey. After signing Dan Haren earlier today, you can cross Washington off of that list. But when it comes to the other five teams, would they even have the ammunition to get a deal done? The Dodgers farm system has been ravaged after this summer's multiple trades, and I'm not sure if they'd be willing to deal Zach Lee or Yasiel Puig to get Dickey. The Orioles would likely need to build a package around Jonathan Schoop, because there's no way that the team will trade Dylan Bundy or Manny Machado. I'm not sure Schoop would be enough of a centerpiece to wet the Mets' whistle.
Based on the quality of players that the Mets are asking in return for Dickey, the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Rangers would seemingly be the best fits. Texas has elite prospect Jurickson Profar in the fold, and while I don't think they'd be willing to trade him, he'd be more than enough to use as the centerpiece of the trade. The Mets reportedly are looking for a catcher in some discussions for Dickey, and Toronto has them covered with the presence of JP Arencibia and top prospect Travis d'Arnaud. Finally, there's the Diamondbacks, who are loaded with young pitching (Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer, Archie Bradley to name three) and are very eager to get a deal done for a veteran starter.
I don't blame the Mets for asking for the world in return for Dickey. They gambled last summer by demanding quality talent for Carlos Beltran, and ended up with Zach Wheeler from the Giants. If the pitching market continues to dry up, the Mets will possess a very attractive trade chip in Dickey. If the Dodgers strike out on Greinke, maybe they'll get desperate and be willing to trade Lee or Puig. If the Royals can't pick up another veteran starter, maybe they'll bite their lip and trade Myers. The Mets have all of the cards right now, and while people might scream about how insane they are to ask for a mint for Dickey, they know that they'll get someone to bite eventually.
