R.A. Dickey has been around the game long enough to expect just about anything when it comes to the business of baseball. But what happened Friday, when the Mariners outrighted him to Class AAA Tacoma, surprised Dickey.

Dickey, who would have been eligible for arbitration, can accept the move and try to work his way back from the minor leagues, or he can reject it and become a free agent. he has until Dec. 12 to make a decision.

Look for something in between.

The Mariners are likely to make Dickey a contract offer by Sunday , probably a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the big-league club. That’s when he’ll evaluate where he stands with the club and have a better idea whether he’s thrown his last pitch for the Mariners.

This move allows the Mariners to clear roster space —the 40-man roster is at 36 — for additions that could begin next week at the winter meetings in Las Vegas. The Rule 5 draft is Thursday and there could be plums for the picking, although the Mariners must remember that anyone they draft must stay on the big-league roster all season or offered back to the original team. Sometimes that can hamstring a club (remember the fairly useless Luis Ugueto, who ex-manager Lou Piniella referred to as “The Rule 5 Kid,” several years ago?)

Dickey cleared waivers, which could tell something about what the other 29 teams think of him, and could wind up with the Mariners again on a minor league contract.

“Now that I’m off the roster, I feel they can offer me a contract and I’l have to consider that when it happens,” Dickey said this evening from his home in Nashville.

“Their explantion for me was they wanted to clear some roster spots and pursue some free agents positoin-player-wise. There’s obviously a need there. Nonetheless, I felt like I was in a position of value for them. I felt like I made some great relationships and felti like I can contribute in a big way, and now there’s a question mark on whether I will return. I know the (coaching) starff and I believe in them. To be a part of something that was so bad last year, it’s tough to consider not being a part of the turnaround.”

Dickey went 5-8 with a 5.21 ERA this year, numbers that will get you waived if you look only on the surface. Beyond that, however, the knuckleball pitcher worked a variety of roles and was the only pitcher on the staff who was available for every game. In 18 games of relief, he went 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .205 average.

“I know I can pitch in the big leagues and I know that Wak (manager Don Wakamatsu) is in my corner and wants me to succeed and do well. I know (pitching coach) Rick Adair as well. If I come into camp on the minor league side of things and not on the big-league roster, it’s not unheard-of to make the team that way.

“Whether it’s with the Mariners or not, time will tell.”