Winter Meetings Rumors: R.A. Dickey

Another day, another free agent rumor. The Dodgers have been linked to quite a number of free agents this offseason, but they have yet to make any known offers to any of them. Starting pitching continues to be Ned Colletti’s target as the winter meetings commenced today. The first day of the meetings spurred a report that the Dodgers had talked with the Mets about a potential trade for 2012 Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey. Dickey beat out Clayton Kershaw for the Cy Young just a few weeks ago. The Dodgers are still highly interested in Zack Greinke, but Colletti has said that the Dodgers would be happy to sign two starting pitchers this offseason if the right deals came about.

"“If we can sign two starting pitchers, we’re going to take that chance,” Colletti said."

Imagine a rotation with Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and R.A. Dickey in the 1-3 spots. It would be a three-headed Cy Young monster of a front rotation. The Dodgers are ready to out bid other teams for Greinke, but a trade for a second starting pitcher would be more complicated since the Dodgers have few worthwhile prospects within their thinned farm system. A trade including top prospect Zach Lee wouldn’t be ideal. The Dodgers have already spared Lee from any potential trades last season when many teams asked for him in return before the trade deadline. Dee Gordon is said to be available, but that would leave the Dodgers thin as far as a shortstop backup for Hanley Ramirez.

More Cy Young Award winners, please. Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The knuckleballer had a career year in 2012, and Dickey finished with a 20-6 record, a 2.73 ERA, a league-leading 230 strikeouts (just one K ahead of Kershaw), and 5 complete games in 233 2/3 innings pitched.

38-year old Dickey will be in his final year of his contract, and he is due to make $5 million in 2013. He is reportedly looking for a two-year extension. The Dodgers are also still interested in Anibal Sanchez, Ryan Dempster, and Kyle Lohse. There was also another rumor running around that the Dodgers were feeling out a trade for Felix Hernandez, but of course this is all hearsay.

It has been mention by Colletti that the negotiations with Korean Ryu Hyun-Jin are

progressing slowly. The Dodger have until December 10th to strike a deal, otherwise their winning bid is returned and Ryu will be going back to the Korean Baseball League. Even though the negotiations are slow, it doesn’t mean that the Dodgers won’t be able to agree on a contract with Ryu. The left-hander has said that he would like to pitch for the Dodgers.

A.J. Ellis may have to buy a bigger glove. Photo: Noah K. Murray/The Star Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

If the Dodgers could pull off obtaining the dynamic duo of Greinke and Dickey this offseason, they would have Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano available to trade. The possible Dodger rotation could be: Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, R.A. Dickey, Chad Billingsley, and Josh Beckett. If they also can sign Ryu, then it becomes even more interesting. The Dodgers definitely have the financial muscle, but the lack of valuable prospects could hurt their chances for a viable trade with certain teams looking for good young players.

I’m getting anxious Dodger fans, let’s sign all the pitchers!