The New York Mets have proposed a trade to the Texas Rangers that would send knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to Arlington in exchange for a "rich package" of prospects, including third baseman Mike Olt, reports Ken Davidoff of the New York Post:
In trade talks for R.A. Dickey, #Mets asked #Rangers for a rich package that included Mike Olt. #Rangers haven't countered.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) December 9, 2012
Davidoff adds in a separate tweet that the lack of a counteroffer from the Rangers on the Mets’ initial proposal could indicate that Texas is not interested in working out a deal for the Cy Young winner.
Andy Martino of the NY Daily News reports, however, that the Rangers are in fact willing to move Olt in exchange for Dickey, but that the hang-up lies with the other pieces that New York wants for the knuckleballer.
With the way the starting pitcher market is developing – Zack Greinke getting record money, Joe Blanton netting $15 million – the Mets could still decide that Dickey’s extension demands are reasonable by comparison. Dialogue between the two sides has re-started since the Winter Meetings came to a close, but a trade definitely appears to be the more probable outcome at this point.