R.A. Dickey vs. Noah Syndergaard: Trade Revisited
This week, the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets play in a home-and-home four game series.
After New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard pitched 6 incredible innings against his former team on Monday night, many people were probably playing the ‘what if’ game.
The Blue Jays’ decision to trade a package of prospects, which included Syndergaard, to New York had to be done. Syndergaard went to the Big Apple along with their top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud for pitcher R.A. Dickey, catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas.
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Dickey was perceived, when coming to Toronto, as the icing on the cake to push the Blue Jays into playoff status and World Series contention. In November of 2012, the Blue Jays shocked the world by acquiring shortstop Jose Reyes along with pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson and infielder Emilio Bonifacio. They dealt more prospects to bolster the depth of the roster.
When the trade with the Mets was consummated, Toronto hoped for their first playoff date since winning the World Series in 1993 against the Philadelphia Phillies. After this trade, the Blue Jays were almost a destined team to make the playoffs in 2013. Expectations were not met.
The Blue Jays have shown over the years that you need depth within your starting pitching staff. To expect Dickey to win another Cy Young, after winning the award with the Mets in 2012, was probably a pipe dream. The American League is perceived as the tougher league. Adding Dickey to the American League, one would have to think that there was a learning curve for him.
As a flashback, Dickey got the opening day start for the Blue Jays in 2013. You can fault the Jays management for a lot of things over the years. However, this decision to go with him as their starter can’t be mocked. He did win the Cy Young and expectations were through the roof. The rotation was ‘so good’ that sports talk shows in Toronto had fans raving how the starting rotation would look. Things turned out terribly.
The 2013 season was one to forget. Former Jays’ catcher, J.P. Arencibia, came into the league with a lot of hype and promise. He had a great career with the Pacific Coast League where he won the Most Valuable Player award. After a brief stint in Toronto, his stock went down fast. Emilio Bonifacio couldn’t handle the pressure that was thrust upon him in Toronto. Starting pitcher Ricky Romero’s hype and promise flopped. He was the ace pitcher in 2009 but fell to the Jays fifth starter in 2013.
Pitcher J.A. Happ, outfielder Colby Rasmus and reliever Esmil Rogers all couldn’t cut it in Toronto for various reasons. Outfielder Melky Cabrera didn’t have a first year to remember in Toronto. At the end of that first year for Cabrera, word leaked out about him battling tumors in his back. Jose Reyes and former Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie both were battling various injuries as well.
During the 2014 season, Dickey was the Blue Jays’ best starting pitcher. The 2013 team came back after a rash of injuries and the belief was the 2014 team would win. However, the same results continued for the ball club as they did not have a successful July or August. Dickey finished with an ERA of 3.64 and a WHIP of 1.21 in 11 starts.
Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard made it to the big leagues this year. He’s had seven starts and is pitching great and shows a lot of promise for the future of the Mets rotation. The Blue Jays’ gambles on the Dickey trade and the Marlins trade didn’t work out and the team is still not ready with a playoff appearance.
When trades are consummated, you have to give up something that the other team wants. You cannot give the team your useless players and expect their gems. During the winter of 2012-2013, the Blue Jays wanted to reshape the team into a winning organization and make it ‘a city where players want to play.’ Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista were the veterans on their team. General Alex Anthopoulos had to prove to the two of them that they were serious about contending. Fans have been screaming for the chance to see meaningful games in September. Unfortunately, their wait is ongoing.
We could sit here for hours, analyzing and assessing the trades the Blue Jays made with the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets. We could try to figure out whether it was the right time to do these trades. The truth of the matter is that Snydergaard was the top pitching prospect that Toronto had to part with. The thought was that, with Toronto getting Dickey, Reyes, Buehrle, Bonifacio and Johnson, they would be instant division title winners for a period of time. In baseball, there are ‘can’t miss’ prospects that never make it to the dance. Prior to Syndergaard’s debut this season, Dickey already had 485 innings under his belt.
Sure, there are no guarantees in sports, just like there are no guarantees in life. Nothing stays the same forever and gambles are made in sports. General managers take a gamble, hoping that their move will solidify success.
Yes, on paper Toronto now appears to have gotten the short end of the stick. Dickey is now 40 years old and probably not much left in the tank. Syndergaard is 22 years old and has a long career ahead of him. The Mets are fantastic during the middle of June this season. The Blue Jays are above .500 but still not at the top of the hill yet.
Say what you will, but from the Toronto Blue Jays’ perspective, this is a deal that you would have to make again and again.