Gaslamp Ball: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Steve McNair Dead - Former NFL QB Shot and Killed


Rumor Mill: Piazza a Padre?

From Buster Olney's Blog on ESPN:

The Yankees won't carry Piazza as the backup catcher because Joe Torre has long preferred a strong defender in that role, and Piazza is a defensive liability behind the plate. Heard yesterday that San Diego is the front-runner for Piazza if the Yankees decline the chance to sign Piazza (and they are leaning against signing him).

From the Philidelphia Inquirer:

Talking with Piazza. The Phillies have talked with free-agent catcher Mike Piazza about a possible contract, a baseball source said, but it seems Piazza might have better options with the San Diego Padres or Chicago Cubs. Piazza could make a decision before the end of the week.

Pads made an offer?

Piazza, who hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBI with the Mets last year, has minimal offers from the Padres, Phillies and Indians to play a reserve role, but none of them are anywhere near his believed asking price of $7 million-$8 million a year.

Former Mariners Pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa might also be picked up by the Pads:

Hasegawa hasn't formally gotten a job -- yet. When he does, it's likely he'll wind up in Southern California. The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in signing him.

0 recs | Comment 11 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

"Very interesting...but stupid."
My apologies to Arte Johnson.  The ONLY way signing Piazza would make sense to me would be as a first baseman, emergency catcher, or veteran leadership/"intangible".  I would see he or Klesko as a "wash" defensively at first base, so that would make an interesting righty/lefty platoon at first (at least until Klesko is "moved").  Piazza could definitely do some damage to the Western Metals Supply Building, though.

by ranger31 on Jan 25, 2006 9:52 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Would fit right in...
Old?  - Check
Past his prime? - Check

by thenerdhater on Jan 25, 2006 9:56 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: Piazza a Padre?
If you're going to post an intelligent comment like that, there's no need to hide behind the Anonymous Hero label.  Well stated.

by Richard Wade on Jan 25, 2006 10:32 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anonymous no more
Sorry about that.  1st post ever on here.  Didn't realize I had to create an account.  Now that that's done, Frank Thomas has just signed with the A's.  That scratches one more name off potential Piazza suitors. Also, various sources have the O's as interested in Piazza.  Should we assume they intend to trade Javy Lopez?  Seems a little logjammed in B'more for Piazza.

by jessemundo on Jan 25, 2006 2:29 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This PI article is shoddy...
"...options with the Cubs?" They have 2 catchers, Michael Barrett is younger...there's no way they'd sign the aging, unable-to-catch-anymore-nor-can-I-throw Piazza...he's better off in the AL as a DH. Pads should steer clear unless they want him for 75 games. This article, I swear is a complete fabrication because the PI needed a baseball story....don't believe this c**p.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jan 25, 2006 12:27 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No problem
I'd take em both.

by mato on Jan 25, 2006 1:30 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Above comment
sorry that was me thought that I had logged in

by padresgal on Jan 25, 2006 5:53 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good old Piazza
I'd love to have that guy around. Just keep him away from Klesko. Klesko might be a bad influence.

by Dex on Jan 25, 2006 8:57 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Those two
For whatever reason I can imagine those two "hooking up" after games.  Not that there is anything wrong with that....might even put some life back into Klesko.

by Jonny Dub on Jan 26, 2006 8:43 AM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Another Piazza story
http://www.spitter.com/spitter_piazza_butch.htm

Good stuff. Unadulturated silliness.

I live close to NY, and I remember the media around here going nuts a few years ago when the story came out. Just made you shake your head. It made for good comedy, though.

I will welcome the addition of Piazza if for no other reason than he will not be facing Trevor. I was at Shea in 1999 when Piazza hit a GW Hr off Trevor. It was not fun.

by Nick G on Jan 27, 2006 6:37 AM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about San Diego Padres and the one baseball blog Peter Gammons doesn't read.
Start posting about the Padres »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Logo_1969_120_small
PSA from PSA

Recent FanPosts

Xvgel9hunp8u5umocmoesybxo1_500_small
Astros vs. Padres; Open Thread 6/29
Small
Orthodox and unorthodox
Small
Padres Mujica blows it again...
Small
Who will follow Cabrera to the major-league club?
Xvgel9hunp8u5umocmoesybxo1_500_small
The Guy That Owes pjbno4's Dad Money May or May Not Be Retiring
Small
Musings on the Latrine and Dodgers fans
Small
Our 2008 Rule 5 draftee
Head2_small
Unofficial Draft Day 3 Open Thread
Dontpanic_small
Our 2007 #1 Pick

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Managers

Crackerjackdex2_small Dex

Sd_small kev

Untitled_small jbox

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports