Russell Martin is willing to look foolish.

The Blue Jays’ new catcher said recently he is willing to try to put his mitt where R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball dances.

Dickey is not so sure.

The 40-year-old knuckleballer is willing to give it a go this spring with Martin, to see if he can handle the job, if the two can develop into quality dance partners. His heart, though, still tugs for his personal backup catcher Josh Thole.

Nothing against Martin, but Dickey maintains that his relationship with his catcher as a knuckleball pitcher is more important that with conventional pitchers.

“I’m not saying I can’t get to that place outside of Josh,” Dickey said on Friday as the Jays kicked off their winter caravan. “I’ve really enjoyed my relationship with Josh because we’ve spent a lot of time together, been through a lot together. I can go a whole game without flashing a sign and that’s remarkable. He can handle that. So, to get to that point with another guy in one spring training is going to be difficult. I can probably get to that point with a guy and be OK, but it may not be as ideal as the things that Josh can do. But that’s not to say that he couldn’t do it or that I’m not willing for him to do it.”

In real terms what does that mean? How does that manifest itself in a game situation?

“Rhythm, it’s all about rhythm,” Dickey stressed. “I am a rhythmic pitcher. I’ve always been that way. I work quickly. It’s tempo, rhythm, feel, those are the things that are important for me. A catcher that knows that about me can help keep me in that place for a longer time. That’s how it manifests on the field.

“So, if you don’t have something going on (with the catcher), then you really have to be disciplined about getting yourself there on your own, which is OK, you can do that.”

But it’s not preferable or his No. 1 option.

Dickey, along with Jose Bautista, Dalton Pompey, Aaron Loup and Todd Redmond made the Jays caravan with the off-season additions among the position players being the main topic of discussion.

Dickey believes they were needed.

“I think they were necessary moves in the sense that we’ve been two years now and there needed to be somewhat of a shakeup,” he said. “Nothing against any of the guys that left (Melky Cabrera, Adam Lind, Colby Rasmus, Brett Lawrie). It’s just that sometimes you need a change of scenery.

“Credit to Alex (Anthopoulos) that he was able to pull off the (Josh) Donaldson deal, that was a nice deal for us. Brett is going to be a great player regardless of where he goes, but right now, for what we need, it’s fantastic that we’ve got a player like Donaldson and Martin. He’s (Martin) going to be a great general out there. Having played against him a lot I can tell you he cares about things that make people good and that’s a good thing for us.”

The additions that Anthopoulos made are supposed to be upgrades both on the field and in the clubhouse. And it raises the question of whether experience, leadership and chemistry are needed to achieve success or are they overrated?

“In baseball, we hear it all the time,” Dickey said. “Is it overrated? Probably a little bit. What ultimately matters is can a guy consistently do what he is paid to do on the field? That’s what it comes down to.

“What breeds what? Does chemistry breed winning? Does winning breed chemistry? Who knows? I do think it makes for a much better work environment when you have good chemistry, I’ll tell you that. Everybody would say that. That’s not necessarily going to translate into wins on the field. Having bad chemistry isn’t necessarily going to translate into losses on the field.

“There have been plenty of teams where guys were perceivably bad teammates that won games. OK. It’s just kind of a baseball vernacular, but in that, there’s a heartbeat of something. It’s kind of what we labelled it but things like having a relationship with your teammates is important, having a good line of communication between the manager and players, GM and manager, those are important in any workplace. Those kind of things just aren’t catch-phrases or words, they have real merit to them. So I’m optimistic that the nucleus of players that we’ve had together for two years, we can talk plainly with each other.”

A winning club needs more than talent and health, though. You need your best players to be your best players but you also need a spark from the lesser lights just as much.

“I’ve consistently said the same thing about a championship ball club,” Dickey said. “You need the guy that you don’t count on to step up. Every club has one that’s won a championship. You have a guy that you’re not necessarily counting on, whether it’s a Dalton Pompey or a Steve Delabar, a guy who steps up that does something unexpected. That’s going to be something that we’re going to need and hopefully we can find a couple of those kind of guys.”

Especially from the bullpen.

SIGN ’EM UP

The Jays were busy inking deals Friday as they avoided arbitration by coming to terms with pitcher Marco Estrada and outfielder Michael Saunders. They also signed fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.

However, the Jays were unable to come to terms with Donaldson or fellow infielder Danny Valencia and could be headed to arbitration hearings with both players. The Jays haven’t taken a player to an arbitration hearing since reliever Bill Risley in 1997.

Estrada’s deal, meanwhile, was worth $3.9 million while Saunders received $2.875 million.

HE'S HOPING TO STICK AROUND

When R.A, Dickey toes the rubber in 2015, it will mark his third campaign as a member of the Blue Jays.

He hopes it won’t be his last.

Acquired in a trade with the New York Mets on Dec. 17 of 2012, Dickey received $5 million in 2013 as part of the final contract he signed with the Mets. The Jays gave him an extension for 2014 and ’15 that pays him $12 million for each of those years.

In 2016, the Jays hold a club option for another $12 million with a $1 million buyout if they decline the option.

“I want Toronto to pick up my option,” Dickey said Friday. “I like it here.”

Even in the home run-happy Rogers Centre?

“Yeah but I’m used to it now,” he said. “It’s OK. I knew what I was getting into when I signed. I’ve just got to give up home runs with nobody on base, that’s the key.”

As for remaining with the Jays, there’s the obvious $14 million he would receive and, given his age (40) and record (28-26, 3.97 ERA in 68 Jays starts), it’s doubtful he would receive that much from another team. Then again, if he has a terrific season in 2015, the $14 million may look like a bargain.

Dickey added that he has grown to like the city and what it offers both him and his family.

“I’ve enjoyed my experience here,” he said. “It hasn’t necessarily been perfect, but I’m OK with things not being perfect, no place is. The grass isn’t always greener somewhere else. I know the people here, I like the people here, I’ve got good relationships. I live in a place that my kids enjoy. It’s a direct flight from (his hometown of) Nashville. There’s a lot of things and I like the fans. It’s been a good experience for me.”