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Mets, Alderson Seeking 'Difference-Maker' In Dickey Trade

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mets general manager Sandy Alderson isn't about to deal knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for a bag of peanuts.

After all, he is the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.

"We have to get back a difference-maker," Alderson said Monday from the Winter Meetings. "It doesn't have to be a catcher, it doesn't have to be an outfielder, it doesn't have to be anything. But it has to be a difference-maker, because R.A. is a difference maker."

Alderson picked up Dickey's 2013 option earlier in the offseason, and has been in negotiations to lock up the 38-year-old to an extension. But it's also no secret that the Mets have been actively listening to trade offers.

Alderson said he met with "several" teams in Nashville to discuss Dickey.

One club was the Boston Red Sox, who were asked to give up top prospects Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xavier Bogaerts, according to the New York Post. The Mets also talked with the Royals, Orioles, Rangers, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Nationals, WFAN and CBSSports.com insider Jon Heyman reported.

"It's a huge decision," said Mets manager Terry Collins. "There's a lot of things to consider -- your fan base, the team. But if you do something like that, it's for the benefit of the organization in the long term.

"I like R.A. Dickey a lot. He knows it. But I know there's a whole process going on, and it's not really fair for me to comment on whether or not he's going to be traded, because right now, he isn't. So I just think it's a matter of us moving forward with what we have."

Dickey was brilliant for New York this season, going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA and 230 strikeouts. The former journeyman walked just 54 hitters in 233 2/3 innings pitched.

If the Mets want big value in return they may want to ramp up talks for starter Jon Niese, who "could net the Mets a serious return in position players," according to the New York Daily News.

"I wouldn't characterize him as less available," said Alderson. "I would say we've had fewer conversations about Niese at this point."

Mets fans: Who would you rather trade, Dickey or Niese? Be heard in the comments below...

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