MLB notes: Toronto tries to acquire ace R.A. Dickey from Mets

The Toronto Blue Jays tried Sunday night to close a trade for New York Mets ace R.A. Dickey, with the deal hinging on whether the NL Cy Young winner could work out a new contract.

The Mets would get prized catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud. There was speculation Toronto also would receive catcher Josh Thole while sending catcher John Buck — a Taylorsville High School graduate — and minor league pitcher Noah Syndergaard to the Mets.

Dickey, a 38-year-old knuckleballer, was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA last season. He is signed for $5.25 million next year, and the Mets started exploring trades after they couldn't agree to a contract adding two years.

D'Arnaud, who turns 24 in February, hit .333 at Triple-A Las Vegas with 16 homers and 52 RBIs. He tore a knee ligament in June and had season-ending surgery.

Jones to Japan

Andruw Jones is headed to Japan. The five-time All-Star outfielder has finalized a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Rakuten Eagles of Japan's Pacific League. The team announced the move on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Jones became a free agent after spending the past two seasons as a part-time player with the New York Yankees. He appeared in 94 games this year, batting .197 with 14 home runs.

Jones broke into the majors with the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1998-07 as their center fielder. He has 434 career home runs over 17 seasons in the majors and could provide a boost for the Eagles, whose 52 homers were the fewest in Japan last season.