The New York Mets traded R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays, just one month after the knuckleballer won Major League Baseball’s Cy Young Award as the top pitcher in the National League.
Dickey, who published an autobiography in March, was unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Mets.
After signing with the Blue Jays, he thanked his fans for their support.
“Now that it’s official, I want to say that I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am to you for the steadfast support and encouragement I received from all of you,” Dickey wrote in a message to fans on Twitter.
“I’ve always felt that there was a connection beyond the uniform. Thank you for making me feel wanted.”
The 38-year-old Dickey had a career year in 2012, winning the Cy Young after posting a record of 20-6 with a 2.73 earned run average and 230 strikeouts. Dickey had not won more than 11 games in a season previously in his nine-year MLB career.
In the seven-player trade, the Blue Jays received Dickey, catcher Josh Thole and minor league catcher Mike Nickeas.
The Mets acquired catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, right-hand pitcher Noah Syndergaard, catcher John Buck and Wuilmer Becerra, who plays in the minor leagues.
Dickey agreed to a three-year contract deal with Toronto worth $29 million, according to MLB.com. The deal also includes a $12 million option for 2016.
Dickey is the first pitcher to be traded following a Cy Young award-winning season since Roger Clemens in 1999.
He was the Mets’ first 20-game winner since Frank Viola in 1990 and also became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw one-hit complete games with 10 or more strikeouts in two consecutive starts. He accomplished the feat over five days in mid-June.
Mets deal reigning Cy Young winner Dickey
