Mets Rumors: Should New York Trade R.A. Dickey?

A National League talent evaluator told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that the New York Mets should make right-handed starting pitcher R.A. Dickey available in trade this summer. The evaluator believes this deadline is the "perfect time for the Mets to strike."

The Mets have surprised many this season, sprinting out of the gates to a 39-34 start to the season, placing them 3 ½ games behind the NL East-leading Washington Nationals. Dickey is one of the primary reasons for New York’s successful start.

Dickey currently leads Mets starters in wins (11), ERA, strikeouts (106) and WHIP. The 37-year-old has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.31 and 0.914 over his 15 starts. Before surrendering five runs to the Yankees yesterday, Dickey hadn’t allowed an earned run over his five previous starts, including three complete games.

These marks have placed Dickey near the top of several pitching categories in Major League Baseball, including wins (first), ERA (eighth), WHIP (second) and strikeouts (fourth).

Despite all of this, the NL talent evaluator believes New York should shop Dickey this summer. He believes now would be the perfect time to cash in on the veteran’s hot start. The evaluator’s reasoning is Dickey’s nearly perfect recent stretch and the fact that the Mets will have little in the way of money to make moves to remain in the NL East race this summer.