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Piazza Coming To The Bronx? |
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Written by Mark Healey
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Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
 Up until the last few days, Yankees' GM Brian Cashman has often
resisted the temptation of putting Mike Piazza in pinstripes. But with
his current catching situation (and don't forget prospect Francisco
Cervelli is still out with a broken wrist) and the very aggressive Reds
trying to sign Piazza to a contract, Cashman and his advisors -- we're
told by a team insider -- are meeting to discuss whether a Piazza move
is the right way "to address the current situation."
Dusty Baker
is telling friends that he's "confident" that Piazza will sign with the
Reds because "Tommy (Lasorda) will want him to play for me". Though most of the
people that are monitoring the Cincy backstop search say the Reds want a
"throw and catch" guy, Baker is saying that he thinks "Piazza could hit
25 homers in the GAB.".
One NL scout we spoke to said that "Piazza's defense isn't what either team needs right now, but (he) does know how to call a game and both teams seem to feel that he would be a good influence on their young pitchers."
An AL scout, who followed Piazza closely last season for his club said that "any team that adds Piazza will be getting a player who is obsessed with winning a World Series."
So, if there is all this interest, how come Piazza couldn't find a job this past spring? We asked one NL executive why.
"Because there's a perception out there that (Piazza) is against playing first base," The exec said. " It's (bleep), but given what his agent was asking (2 years,$10-15 million) at the time, teams weren't bothering to find out the truth."
His shoulder injury has kept teams away as well, but when you look at his 2007 stats with Oakland (83 games, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs, .275 average), there's little doubt that he could fit into either team's plans for 2008..
So, do you think Piazza should be in Pinstripes, a Red, or just hang 'em up? Discuss in our forums now!.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 16 April 2008 )
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