Piazza?

by jubjub on Jul 14, 2005 5:18 AM PDT

ESPN mentioned a rumored Piazza to Oakland deal this morning, but I haven't seen anything about it. Does that make any sense at all? The guy will be 37 before the end of the season and makes $16MM+ (don't know about 2006+). Also, check out his OPS numbers the last few years - notice a trend?

2000 1.012
2001 .957 (-.055)
2002 .903 (-.054)
2003 .860 (-.043)
2004 .806 (-.054)
2005 .749 (-.057)

Also, his OPS after the all-star break last year was .615 with Jason Kendall-esque power numbers.

So, does this make any sense or is it just NY media being their usual selves? I would think we would have to be able to unload some salaries to pick him up (Durazo, Hatteberg, etc - wish we could get Dotel off the DL for 1 day to trade him). Also, we know Minaya loves his latin players and we don't have many.

So, what's the verdict?

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

re

I'd love to have him, for relatively cheap. I've been thinking that Piazza or Frank Thomas would be perfect targets for DH next year (yeah, way outside chance, I know).

But, it's hard to believe that Omar would want Hattie, or take a chance on Durazo playing first, after Ruby hurt himself just throwing the ball. And other than one of those two plus Jairo, what would we trade for him? (and i don't think one of those two plus Jairo would get it done.) The trade can't happen if the Mets don't pick up at least half the contract, and they aren't doing that if they don't get something good back.

Jairo, Juan Cruz, and Hattie? That wouldn't hurt us this year, but it's potentially a big price (potentially). The old Mike Piazza, you have to take a serious look at that (carpe diem). This one? Eh.

I don't really buy that the rumor is legit though. It didn't make the New York papers today. New York media is what it is, but it's always way ahead on Yankee and Mets deals.

by 31Boots on Jul 14, 2005 5:48 AM PDT reply actions

I agree

Put him at DH!!!! He will relax and dominate. big risk big reward.

by novaoakland on Jul 14, 2005 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I thought that a Piazza deal would...

...have made sense in May. Kendall was stuggling badly and Piazza wasn't doing much either. But for 6 million more (which could have been cleared pretty easily with just two 1B/DH moves) it may have been worth it. That was then, though! The catching position is just being kept warm until younger talent moves through. Now that Kendall is producing at the plate again, Piazza doesn't make sense at this time...not for that additional salary and for how distruptive it could be to the pitching staff.

http://www.cafehayek.com ~ a blog for classical liberals

by LowcountryJoe on Jul 14, 2005 5:52 AM PDT reply actions

Kendall

I hadn't realized how well he was doing. I saw his OPS still started with a .6 and just figured he was still struggling (despite his rise in BA), but his July numbers are pretty good:

BA: .400
OBP: .455
SLG: .475
OPS: .930

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jul 14, 2005 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I don't see where Piazza would fit

Especially when/if Durazo returns. Then we would have yet another DH. Despite Durazo's early struggles, he will still probably have a better year than Piazza.

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 14, 2005 7:36 AM PDT reply actions

I like it...

I think Piazza would fit in well with us as a DH. He's getting older, but he can still swing a big stick from time to time. I think if he didn't have to worry about catching and could just be the DH, he would be very productive for us. Of course, this would mean Hatte or Durazo would have to go, but thats fine. Throw in Jairo (teams love him, and he's expendible for us) and maybe Kennedy or another starter(Cruz? someone younger?), and this becomes a pretty good deal, IMO. Piazza still makes pitchers think twice before pitching to him, and if he was given a shot at being a full time DH, I think he'll relax, get his strength back, and really rock for us.

"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." ~Rogers Hornsby

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2005 9:39 AM PDT reply actions

The guy makes a ton of money,

Who would pay for it? The Mets are flush with $ but they would stil need a catcher. I have a hard time seeing Durazo take over behind the dish. :-P

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 14, 2005 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

they

can have Melhuse:)

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Jul 14, 2005 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Or Hatteberg

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 14, 2005 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Link

by Dash on Jul 14, 2005 10:15 AM PDT reply actions

No link

Heard on ESPN radio by the non-Golic Mike of Mike and Mike. Who knows where they got it.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jul 14, 2005 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Hmmmm

Piazza for a 2 weeks supply of pert plus? Pull the trigger on that one. Other than that, keep Piazza out of Oakland.

What's the point of attaching a number to everything you do? If your numbers go up, you're having more fun.

by AlwaysSweatin on Jul 14, 2005 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

Pert Plus plus ...

... "cash considerations" ...

Laugh while you can, monkeyboy!

by monkeyball on Jul 14, 2005 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

piazza might be a pre-emptive move

to keep him out of anaheim this year because he walks next year, no nl team will take him as a catcher, so for him, he dh's in southern california for mike soascia (sp), his step dad's old dodger buddy and calls it a career in 3 years. perhaps two years of piazza while barton finds his way to the majors. not a bad prospect.

by mcbronsh on Jul 14, 2005 2:57 PM PDT reply actions