Toronto Blue Jays pick up R.A. Dickey’s 2016 option

Following his third season north of the border, it appears as if the now 41-year old knuckleballer R.A. Dickey will remain with the Toronto Blue Jays for 2016.

Dickey is coming off of a 11-11 season for the Blue Jays, posting a 3.91 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 214.1 innings pitched. The right-hander had initially signed a five year/$37.5 million contract with the New York Mets prior to the 2011 season, and was traded to the Blue Jays prior to 2013 after winning the National League Cy Young award in 2012. The trade that sent Dickey to the Blue Jays is now known to have given the Mets vital pieces to their pennant run, including catcher Travis d’Arnaud and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard.

After an exit in the American League Championship Series, the move makes sense for the Blue Jays, who will most likely not have David Price next year, therefore leaving the Jays with the need to figure out a rotation in 2016.

Despite Dickey’s age, he remains an effective fourth or fifth starter, and as the only active knuckleballer in the MLB, he serves as a change of pace for all of his opponents. Dickey’s option is worth $12 million, as Toronto declined the $1 million buyout for his contract.

Entering his age-41 season, Dickey will look to remain a contributor on a Blue Jays team that will look to defend their first American League East championship since 1993. Dickey struggled in the postseason for the Jays in 2015, getting chased after just 1.2 innings pitched in Game 4 of the ALCS, which ended up as a 14-2 defeat in Toronto for the Blue Jays. Dickey however was effective in his division series start, allowing just one run over 4.2 innings in an eventual 8-4 Toronto victory over the Texas Rangers.

The decision to pick up Dickey’s option shows the Blue Jays’ willingness to stick with working and contributing pieces, as this will most likely be the first of several moves for Toronto, as they attempt to take the next step to winning their first World Series since 1993.