Alex Anthopoulos is no wimp, anyway. I would not have the guts to go this "all in". Does he play poker?

D'Arnaud and Syndergaard are a steep price, but another starter is exactly what the Jays need. If this deal goes through it would allow Happ to be a swingman and move Romero to the 5 slot in the rotation. You're always going to have injuries, and their top pitching prospects weren't likely to contribute in the bigs this coming season. At the very least Dickey gives them serious depth and 200 innings; however, at this price I would hope he gives them something closer to last season.

As a Mets fan, I love the deal.

Let's assume for a moment that environmental conditions affect the knuckleball significantly. Is it legal for the Jays to adjust the Skydome's roof and/or HVAC differently on a day Dickey will pitch? They obviously couldn't make it 50 degrees with saturating humidity if they still want fans to attend, but subtle changes are in the realm of possibility.

Staff from the Metrodome have admitted tinkering with the HVAC during a game to try to discourage visitor home runs (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story?id=1585964), but there's a bright "cheating" line there to me because they provided different conditions for each team. But can the Jays just say "I know it's 75 and sunny out, but we're going to keep the roof closed and the A/C on today for both teams."?

The point "whoever wins the winter doesn't always win 90 games" is well taken, but in light of recent developments it looks like the angels in the west, tigers in the central, jays in the east, and a rangers rays wildcard. Am I reading this wrong or are we potentially, if all goes according to hoyle, looking at a postseason free of yankees and red sox even with the extra team added?

As for the senior circuit, I don't follow it as closely, but is a giants dodgers nlcs as inevitable as a sox yanks alcs used to be?

Mets fan here:
Heart- I'll miss RA
Head- Great deal

"I have played the “Would you rather?” game with Dickey"

Beavis laugh.

I'm glad the Jays are making good, quality moves to be competitive in the AL East.

I am not glad they keep trading my rookie keepers to the NL. I've now blown well past my 2 crossover limit :/

Is there any concern over the fact that D'Arnaud is older and still has not debuted? How many starts players are still in the minors at 24?

Next season is going to be a blast to watch as a fan. With so many teams really going for it, it will be something to watch all season. Only one team can end up with a ring at the end of the year. I think it is especially fun that the teams making the moves aren't the Sox and Yanks.

I mean the Mets weren't going to give him Dempster money! That's a pretty friendly deal, and I'm sure the injury riddled 2012 season makes the appeal of stockpiling starting depth valuable for Toronto. I agree that Blue Jays are really going for it, and the Royals are sort of giving it a go. Long term Mets will likely come out ahead, but if the Jays put some playoff appearances or flags up over the next 3 years, I doubt they'll be sorry.

I was living a few minutes from the Astrodome the whole time Joe Niekro pitched there (in every role from SP to CL), time that overlapped with Phil in Atlanta and Charlie Hough a division foe of the 'Stros. To add to the anecdotal evidence, the knucklers that were spun sure seemed effective. We almost always sat right behind the homeplate trio, just back of the commish's box at the head of the Astro dugout, or on the second row about the middle of the dugout. So, very close to the pitch chute. The Niekros were both vocal from time to time about their fondness for the park/mound/effects.

Doesn't prove anything, but I'd sure wager the 'Dome did not have a NEGATIVE effect on knuckleballers if we could go back and measure that.

The thing with Dickey is that he's a knuckleballer who throws like a regular pitcher. His arm speed is at fastball speed and he gets tired after 100 pitches and needs the 4 days between starts. I'm not sure he's going to be high end effective at 39-40 years old and I think the Mets thought that too. The Mets hired Alderson to make decisions and trades like this and I think Alderson had no intention of keeping Dickey at any price. Fortunately for him, Dickey and his agent came in at a contract request just high enough to cause Alderson faux consternation and alert other teams that a Cy Young pitcher was on the market. Toronto gave the Mets more than they probably thought they could get so kudo's to Alderson for extracting it.

Surprised to see Jason Parks' comment that catchers take longer to develop than other position players. My impression has always been the opposite: great catchers often debut (and peak) at a relatively young age (Bench, Carter, Mauer). I suppose Piazza and Fisk are mild counterpoints.... Jason, is there data on that?

One thing that hasn't been said (that I've noticed - or, perhaps, it is too obvious) - is that what this trade is really all about for the Blue Jays: Jose Bautista. Superstudly hitters like him don't come around very often. When they do, it is time to build a winner around him - especially if you have the money and the minor league talent available for selling. Bautista is 32 now - who knows how many studly years he has left. That makes Dickey, Reyes, Buehrle, etc. good fits.

Weird that the Jays had to give up a talent package worthy of a Top 5 SP, but then only had to pay Dickey like a Top 50 SP. Either RA's got a mediocre agent or he just wanted the security of a small-outrageous fortune.