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August 24, 2005
Piazza To The Bronx?
Bob Klapisch thinks it's possible:
But that's not to say the 36-year-old Piazza is ready to stop playing after 2005 or that he's even finished as a Met.
Logic says the Mets will allow Piazza to move on, but that could change if ownership sensed the Yankees were encroaching. It's not impossible: The Bombers will be looking for a right-handed power hitter and as creaky as Piazza has looked at times, one National League scout recently said: "Piazza still has the ability to catch up to a fastball. That much, I'd say he's still got."
Piazza in the Bronx? He just smiled at the revolutionary thought, which isn't to say he is or isn't interested. All Piazza tells you is that he's "curious" to see how the winter plays out.
"I know it's a sensitive subject, but I'm not even close to making up my mind," he said. "I mean, so much can happen, and I have no idea if the Mets are interested or if other teams are. In a way it's exciting because I've never been a free agent."
Every year, for five years in a row, Piazza's offensive productivity has gone down. He'll be 37-years-old next year. If it's true that "The Bombers will be looking for a right-handed power hitter" please let it be someone other than Mike Piazza.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at August 24, 2005 02:56 PM
Comments
I agree completely, Steve - we don't need the kind of "right-handed power" Piazza is likely to provide next year:
Year - SLG/ISP
2001 .573/.273
2002 .544/.264
2003 .483/.197
2004 .444/.178
2005 .444/.171
Posted by: Shaun P. at August 24, 2005 03:53 PM
A big name, past his prime veteran that is going to require a long-term big money daeal?
That SCREAMS New York Yankees.
Posted by: Brad at August 24, 2005 05:18 PM
There's some truth to what you say, Brad - the Yanks do like to sign past-their prime vets to stupid contracts. But a 37-year-old past-his prime catcher? I don't think so . . . Now, if he was a pitcher, THEN maybe you're on to something.
(Besides, who said Piazza is after a long-term big money deal? I'll be surprised if he plays in 2006, much less anything past that. You figure he's a classy guy, who doesn't want to go out looking bad, and all those years of catching have probably made him pretty tired.)
Posted by: Shaun P at August 24, 2005 05:36 PM
Yeah really. I hear Jack Clark's available too!
Posted by: Makofan at August 25, 2005 08:47 AM
Yeah really. I hear Jack Clark's available too!
==============
Been there, done that (:
I still can't believe the Yanks didn't get more for him...
Posted by: Raf at August 25, 2005 10:21 AM