Dickey dealt to Toronto

NEW YORK (AP) — 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.

“Now that its official, I want to say that I don’t have the words to express how grateful I am to you for the steadfast support,” Dickey posted on Twitter. “Thank you for making me feel wanted.”

“Looking forward to a new chapter with the Jays,” he wrote.

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.

“It was an extraordinary privilege for us to be part of his career,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said about Dickey on a conference call. “The final chapter has not been written.”

Earlier in the day, Dickey and the busy Blue Jays agreed to a new contract, clearing the way for the Mets to send him to a team that’s spending a lot of money trying to join baseball’s elite. Toronto has now acquired All-Stars Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera and Dickey since the season ended.

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.

Dickey needed to pass a physical before the teams announced the deal. He became the fourth pitcher to win the Cy Young and be traded before the next season, joining David Cone, Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens.

Alderson said the Mets’ preference going into the offseason was to re-sign Dickey. But as the winter meetings approached in early December, Alderson said Dickey’s value “in a possible trade was also sky-rocketing. At some point, those lines crossed.”

Indians wooing Swisher

CLEVELAND — Free agent Nick Swisher is visiting the Cleveland Indians, who have a hole to fill in right field.

Swisher, who won a World Series in his first of four seasons with the New York Yankees in 2009, is scheduled to arrive in Cleveland on Monday night and will tour the team’s facilities at Progressive Field on Tuesday.

Last week, the Indians traded right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati as part of a three-team, nine-player deal. The team can entice Swisher, who hit 24 homers last season for the Yankees, with the chance to be their full-time right fielder.

Swisher is a career .256 hitter in stops with the Athletics, White Sox and Yankees. He had 93 RBIs last season, as well, as New York won the American League East.

Astros adding veteran Pena

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have signed veteran Carlos Pena to be their designated hitter, addressing a key need as they prepare for their first season in the American League.

The 34-year-old Pena, who spent last season in his second stint with Tampa Bay, hit .197 with 19 home runs and 61 RBIs in 2012. Terms were not released Monday.

Pena had the best seasons of his career in his first stint with the Rays from 2007-2010.

when he had at least 100 RBIs in three of those four seasons. His most productive year came in his first with the team when he hit 46 homers with 121 RBIs, both career-highs.

Pena started his career with the Rangers and has also played with Oakland, Detroit, Boston and the Cubs.

Tags: sports, mlb, baeball