Texas Rangers Interested in R.A. Dickey

The Texas Rangers are interested in bringing National League Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey back to his first home in professional baseball. The 37 year old knuckleballer has one year left on his contract with the New York Mets and extension talks are ongoing, but, sources tell MLB Pro Blogs’ T.R. Sullivan that the Rangers will be discussing Dickey with the Mets at the Winter Meetings.

Dickey was originally drafted by Texas in 1996 and was a part of the Rangers organization until 2006. He did not transition to being a knuckleball specialist until his final season with Texas and early results were not promising, as he gave up six home runs in just three innings in his only start with Texas in 2006.

He stuck with the pitch through four seasons bouncing between AAA and the major leagues with three different teams to emerge as a dominant starter with the Mets over the past three seasons. He went 20-6 in 33 starts for New York last season with a 2.73 ERA, the second best mark in the National League.

Dickey is owed $5M for 2013 and the Mets are eager to work out new deal for their ace, but failing that, they could easily decide to trade him. Texas could offer them a number of talented young prospects in return as the Rangers boast one of the best farm systems in baseball.