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Report: Mets 'Not Happy' With Dickey's Festivus Moment At Holiday Party

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- 'Tis the season to be -- angry?

R.A. Dickey, while serving as an honorary elf at the Mets' annual holiday party for local schoolchildren, aired his grievances Tuesday as he continues to negotiate with New York on an extension.

It was a moment more worthy of Festivus, the quirky, cranky Dec. 23 holiday made famous by "Seinfeld." And guess what? The Mets are "'not happy' with Dickey's message and his use of a Citi Field forum to express his criticism," according to the New York Post.

"When people say, 'It's business, it's not personal,' well that just means it's not personal for them," said Dickey. "I'm hoping it ends up in a good place, but also in the back of your mind you think it may not. And that's sad."

The Mets reportedly upped their offer to three years at $25 million, closing the gap to around $6 million from the knuckleballer's asking price. The team believes "Dickey must make the next compromise," the Post reported.

COLEMAN: R.A. delivers his message loud and clear

"You want what you think is fair," Dickey said. "I feel like we're asking for less than what's fair. … There is a surprise sometimes when things don't get done quickly and you already think you're extending the olive branch.

"At the same time, they have a budget they have to adhere to. I don't know those numbers and I try not to take it personally."

The 38-year-old described his return as a "coin flip." But he was more confident in what would happen after the 2013 season if he's brought back on his option year alone.

"If that's the decision they feel like is best for the club and that's the decision that they make, I feel like it would be unfortunate, because it probably is going to mean I'm not going to be back," Dickey said.

General manager Sandy Alderson told reporters there was "some progress" in the ongoing Dickey talks, and he hoped to have "more clarity in a few days" — one way or another. With the market shaking out, trading Dickey has to still be considered as a real possibility.

Earlier Tuesday, David Wright called the situation "a win-win" in an interview with WFAN's Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton.

"We are progressing, albeit slowly, hopefully on an extension," Dickey said. "I feel a real connection to this place. At the same time, you don't want to be taken advantage of. So that's where we kind of are."

Dickey was brilliant for New York in 2012, going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA and 230 strikeouts en route to the NL Cy Young Award. He walked just 54 hitters in 233 2/3 innings pitched.

Forget whether or not you agree with Dickey -- did he choose the right forum? Be heard in the comments...

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