R.A. Dickey Hot Topic at Winter Meetings

For the first time in several years, the Mets have someone who other teams seem to covet — R.A. Dickey. Sandy Alderson said he spent all day Monday at the Winter Meetings talking with teams who want to trade for the Cy Young award winner.

Sources tell ESPN.com that the Alderson met with eight teams, including the Red Sox. The Mets reportedly asked for top prospects outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. and shortstop Xander Boegarts for Dickey. By all accounts, it appears Boston is not inclined to trade either of them for Dickey.

I don’t know anything about these players, but they both played at Doube-A last season, so they are likely not close to major league-ready. The Mets need help now — they must get players who can step right into the lineup if they are going to deal Dickey.

“This is not about making a trade for four players from the Appalachian League,” Alderson said. “You have to balance the quality of the player with the potential arrival date of the player, obviously. That’s something we’re trying to do. But it is important for us if we’re going to do something — and I want to emphasize, we may not — if we do something, we want whatever comes back to us to have an impact on us as soon as possible.”

Alderson also said several clubs asked about Jonathon Niese, but Alderson is not the one doing the shopping.

“The teams that are interested will approach us,” he said, according to Mets Blog. “We’re not out promoting interest or buying billboards at this stage.”