New York Mets Reportedly Pick Up Options on R.A. Dickey and David Wright

The New York Mets have reportedly made the easy call of picking up the contract options of third baseman David Wright and starting pitcher R.A. Dickey.

Fox Sports' Jon Morosi shares the news. 

"

As expected, #Mets today formally picked up contract options on David Wright and R.A. Dickey, sources told @ken_rosenthal and me. @mlbonfox

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 30, 2012"

UPDATE: Thursday, Nov. 1 at 10:40 a.m. ET by Tim Daniels

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports long-term contract negotiations between Wright and the Mets are expected to pick up now that the team has exercised the option. Progress has been slow toward a new deal, with no significant barriers crossed in October.

Wright is the face of the franchise, so it's no surprise the Mets are trying to lock him up before he has a chance to walk away. They can't afford to lose him.

---End of update--

It would be shocking if this report did not prove to be true. Morosi and Rosenthal are trusted reporters, and beyond that, the moves make sense. 

Wright's option was for $16 million, and the Mets had until Wednesday to exercise that option. As CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports, the two sides have been working on a long-term deal and will likely continue to do so. 

But there was no scenario where they were just going to let him walk. Wright is the face of the franchise and an outstanding third baseman. The 29-year-old is also coming off a season where he produced the second-highest WAR of his career at 6.7. 

The call to pick up the option on Dickey must have been just as easy. The 38-year-old knuckleballer was amazing last year, going 20-6 with a 2.73 earned run average.

Dickey underwent abdominal surgery earlier in the offseason, but that is not something that is expected to hamper him. MLB.com's Anthony DiComo had previously reported that the option on Dickey's contract is for $5 million, which is now an absolute steal.

Dickey and the Mets will also likely continue to try to come to terms on a longer deal.