Eager for a new challenge and certainly a better chance to win, R.A. Dickey broke the news of his trade even before the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets.
A few minutes ahead of the teams announcing the seven-player swap Monday that sent the NL Cy Young winner to Toronto, he tweeted his thanks to Mets fans and added he was all set to pitch for the Blue Jays.
Toronto acquired the 38-year-old knuckleballer and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The Mets got top catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and catcher John Buck, plus minor league right-hander Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Wuilmer Becerra.
Dickey was already signed for $5.25 million next year. His new contract adds two more seasons for $25 million -- he will get $12 million in both 2014 and 2015, plus there's a club option for 2016 at $12 million with a $1 million buyout.
Sanchez stays put Anibal Sanchez hadn't gone anywhere, really, and yet here he was getting a big "welcome back" from Detroit Tigers President and General Manager Dave Dombrowski.
"It's nice to have you back in that jersey again," Dombrowski said Monday to his righthander.
It wasn't cheap.
Detroit's deal with Sanchez is worth $80 million over five years, a person familiar with it told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms weren't announced. The team said it has an option for a sixth season.
