Dickey negotiated with the Mariners, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and Twins, and all offered him a split major league/minor league contract, in which he would have a guaranteed major league deal if he made the roster out of spring training. Dickey said it came down to the Twins and the Mariners, who offered him a better minimum financial deal.

But the deciding factor was opportunity - the Twins had a need for him in the bullpen, and the Mariners have a new manager and a lot of questions about how their roster will come together. The Mariners also had removed Dickey from their 40-man roster, which would have made it more complicated for him to make the team.

"(The Twins) have been very aggressive pursuing me, from the day I became a free agent," Dickey said Wednesday from his home in Nashville, Tenn. "I was their first choice. Their deal was similar to the other teams, but I feel the opportunity is more tangible and more real in Minnesota. They have a need for me and what I do."

Dickey, selected in the Rule 5 draft before last season, went 5-8 with a 5.21 ERA with Seattle, appearing in 32 games and starting 14. He stated a preference for starting, but his numbers were much better in relief (a 6.72 ERA starting, 2.00 relieving), and he said he now realizes his future is in the bullpen.

Dickey said it wasn't easy walking away from an organization that took a chance on him a year ago.

"I would have loved to have been part of the turnaround there after going through a tough year," he said. "But from a competitive standpoint, my chances are much better to break camp with the Twins.

"It was a really hard decision, and I wish nothing but the best for (the Seattle) organization. They treated me first class."

P-I reporter David Andriesen can be reached at 206-448-8061 or davidandriesen@seattlepi.com