Toronto Blue Jays acquire R.A. Dickey

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner RHP R.A. DICKEY along with C JOSH THOLE and minor league C MIKE NICKEAS from the New York Mets in exchange for C JOHN BUCK, C TRAVIS d’ARNAUD, minor league RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD and minor league OF WUILMER BECCERA.  The Blue Jays have also reached an agreement on a three year contract with R.A. DICKEY for the 2013-2015 seasons worth $US 29 million with a club option for the 2016 season for $US 12 million. As part of the contract Dickey will make a donation to the Jays Care Foundation.

DICKEY, 38, posted a 20-6 record in 2012 with a 2.73 ERA for the New York Mets to capture his first Cy Young Award.  The 6-2, 215 lb. right-handed pitcher led the National League with 233 2/3 innings pitched and 230 strikeouts. In 10 major league seasons the native of Nashville, Tennessee has career record of 61-56 with a 3.98 ERA in 238 games, 139 starts.   Over the last three seasons as a member of the New York Mets, he has posted a 2.95 ERA in 94 games, 91 starts with a 39-28 record.  Has also pitched for the Texas Rangers (2001, 2003-2006) and Seattle Mariners (2008).

THOLE, 26, hit .234 in 104 games last season for the Mets with 15 doubles, one home run and 21 runs batted in.  The 6-1, 215lb. right-handed hitter has a career batting average of .261 in four Major League seasons all spent with the New York Mets.  He was selected by the New York Mets with their 13th round selection in the 2005 First Year Player Draft.

NICKEAS, 29, split the 2012 season between Buffalo of the International League (AAA) and the New York Mets where he hit .174 in 47 games with one home run and 13 RBI.  In parts of three seasons, the native of Vancouver, British Columbia has posted an average of .180 in 73 games with two home runs and 19 RBI.  In 22 games with Buffalo in 2012, the 6-0, 215 lb. right handed hitter posted a .364 average with one home run and six RBI.