R.A. Dickey is traded to the Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Mets traded the ace of their staff and 2012 Cy young award winner. It seems like that wouldn’t be a good idea. I think the Mets actually did the right thing though and made out well for themselves. They got two of the Blue Jays top three prospects and they traded a 38 year old knuckle ball pitcher who is coming off of his best season. He was good in New York but never close to as good as he was last season. It is hard seeing him duplicate that performance and his value will never be higher. 
The Mets are a team that has been bad for a while, they are stocking up their farm system now and hoping that within the next couple of years they will make an impact and lead them back to the postseason and beyond. The Mets have the makings of some very good and talented players. They have a good young pitching staff and Dickey if not part of the long term future would just be blocking one of the youngsters. The Mets need some outfield help and need as much money as possible to concentrate on that. They are set in the infield and pitching staff, they could maybe use some bullpen help also but that may come from within as well.

The Mets got top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud, major league catcher John Buck, pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard and minor leaguer Wuilmer Becerra. Here is what Mets GM Sandy Alderson had to say. “It was an extraordinary privilege for us to be part of his career over the past three years.” “The final chapter has not been written, but it has been an extraordinary career, arcing from disappointment to jubilation.”

The Mets also sent catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas to the Blue Jays. The Mets catching situation was not good at all and although d’Arnaud has had injury problems he is considered the top catching prospect in all of baseball and the Mets are willing to bet he will make the team before long and be their catcher for a long time. Dickey came out on twitter and wrote a nice message to the Mets fans.

If you are wondering Dickey is the seventh Cy Young Award winner to open the following season with a new team and fourth to be traded.

The New York Giants are embarrassed in Atlanta

The New York Giants lost to the Atlanta Falcons by the score of 34-0 on Sunday afternoon. There was nothing good at all you could say about this game for the Giants. It took place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Eli Manning had a terrible game and you could say so did coach Tom Coughlin. 
Manning was 13-25 for 161 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. David Wilson led the rushing attack with 12 rushes for 55 yards and Kregg Lumpkin had nine rushes for 42 yards.

Domenick Hixon had five receptions for 80 yards to lead the receivers. Hakeem Nicks had three receptions for 40 yards, Victor Cruz had three receptions for 15 yards and Martellus Bennett had one reception for 15 yards. Wilson had one reception for 11 yards.

Will Hill led the defense with six tackles and three assists. Chris Canty had a sack and Stevie Brown had six tackles with two assists.

Matt Ryan was 23-28 for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Turner led the Falcons rushing attack with 16 rushes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Jason Snelling rushed six times for 39 yards, Jacquizz Rodgers had 11 attempts for 25 yards and Julio Jones had one rush for 18 yards.

Jones led the receivers with six receptions for 74 yards. Harry Douglas had three receptions for 83 yards, Tony Gonzalez had six receptions for 49 yards and Roddy White had two receptions for 16 yards. Snelling had three receptions for 14 yards, Rodgers had one reception for 14 yards and Mike Cox had one reception for 11 yards. Turner had one reception for nine yards. Matt Bryant was 2-2 on field goals with 38 being his long and 4-4 on extra points.

Asante Samuel and Thomas Decoud each had an interception. Sean Weatherspoon led the Falcons defense with six tackles and three assists. Kroy Biermann had a sack.

The Giants are now 8-6 on the season and in a three way tie for first place in the NFC East. The Redskins hold the tie breaker and are technically the first place team. The Giants if they win their last two games will be in the playoffs and they will see how the seeding unfolds. They still have destiny in their own hands, they play at Baltimore and then home against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Atlanta Falcons are having a great season and improved to 12-2.