Several notable big leaguers have officially hung up the cleats this offseason, or given an indication (sort of) about when they might be retiring. Here’s the latest from some more veterans about when they may or may not consider calling it a career…
- R.A. Dickey is entering the last year of his contract with the Blue Jays and the 41-year-old tells VICE Sports’ John Lott that he’ll sit down with his family after the season to decide on his future. Right now, “we’re all kind of undecided. We just like to stay in the moment,” Dickey said. If he does return, it would be for a situation that suits his family and likely a one-year contract. “I think I will be an attractive option for a lot of teams because I will not be requiring a multi-year deal, and I will probably be asking less than what my market value will be….And for me, it’s not necessarily about the money at this point. It’s about the right fit, and how close to home I’d be, and are there direct flights, and what is the clubhouse policy for kids, all that stuff,” Dickey said. Despite his age, the knuckleballer is as steady an innings-eater as any in baseball, averaging 219 frames per season since 2011. Given the lack of starting pitching available in next winter’s free agent market, Dickey is probably correct in assuming he would get a lot of interest.
- Speaking of ageless right-handers, Bartolo Colon tells Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News that plans to pitch as long as he’s healthy. “I take it year by year. We’ll see what happens for me,” Colon said. The 42-year-old fan favorite is preparing for his 19th season in the bigs, returning to the Mets rotation until Zack Wheeler makes his midseason return from Tommy John rehab.
- Left-hander Cesar Jimenez hasn’t arrived at the Brewers’ Spring Training camp, and while the team hasn’t heard anything official yet, Jimenez might be retiring, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Jimenez appeared in 16 games with the Crew last season after he was selected off waivers from Philadelphia in August, and he signed a minor league deal to return to Milwaukee in January. Jimenez, 31, has a 4.05 ERA over 104 1/3 career innings and parts of six big league seasons with the Brewers, Phillies and Mariners.
In other words, Dickey will not be signing with the White Sox.
I posted a comment that (as of this posting) is awaiting moderation. I hope it’s not because R.A.’s last name contains a naughty word.
Bartolo Colon is just a gift from nature. How does he pull it off?
Seems like it would be worthwile to point out what city or state it is that Dickey calls home if you’re going to quote the part about him probably wanting to play close to or a direct flight from home.
Exactly what I was thinking
I agree too. Too funny.
“Despite his age, the knuckleballer is as steady an innings-eater as any in baseball, averaging 219 frames per season since 2011”
From 2011 – 2015, among *ALL* pitchers in baseball, Dickey ranks at #4 with with 1097 innings pitched. The only guys that are ahead of Dickey are J. Shields (1135), C. Kershaw (1128), F. Hernandez (1107.2)
It’s not simply a ‘steady innings-eater’.; it’s ELITE production in that category.
I would submit that “… as any in baseball …” covers that.
His ‘termination’ from the National post was really disheartening to read. Good for John Lott for finding a new gig elsewhere.
Jays should trade Dickey to the Mets for Syndergaard and d’Arnaud. No, that’s a crazy deal, nobody would ever do that deal. Wait …
Don’t forget outfielder w. buccera (spelling) too. Young up and coming five tool player. Will likely have to be added to 40 man next off season and maybe looking at 2017 September call up. He could be even better than trav and Noah. Now that would end up going down as one of the best trades in franchise history and a top trade in mlb history if things play out at the current pace.
Becerra*