Mike Piazza signs 1 year deal with San Diego

[redsfan30]

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Updated: Jan. 29, 2006, 6:57 PM ET
Piazza agrees to one-year, $2M deal with PadresAssociated Press


SAN DIEGO -- All-Star catcher Mike Piazza agreed Sunday to a $2 million, one-year free agent contract with the San Diego Padres, giving the defending NL West champions a marquee player they think can still contribute.

Piazza, 37, had considered joining an AL team as a designated hitter, but instead will return to the West Coast for the first time since the Los Angeles Dodgers traded him to Florida in 1998.

The 12-time All-Star holds the major league record for most career home runs by a catcher (374). He has 397 homers overall, and is a career .311 hitter.

The deal is expected to be announced on Monday. It includes a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million.

"The Padres told Mike that he could pretty much catch as much as he wanted to," said Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano.

Piazza is hoping to catch about 90-100 games this season, along with playing some first base and being the DH in interleague games.

Piazza became a free agent after last season, when he hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBI in 113 games for the New York Mets. It was his lowest batting average since he hit .232 in 69 at-bats with the Dodgers in 1992, his first season in the big leagues.

Still, his 19 homers would have led the power-poor Padres. Ryan Klesko hit 18 for San Diego, which struggled to the division title before being swept out of the playoffs by the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Padres got into the Piazza mix in December, around the time of the winter meetings. They held off making a firm offer because there was talk Piazza might have been headed for the New York Yankees, who have Bernie Williams and other players as possible DHs.


The Padres made the offer Saturday night and Piazza accepted on Sunday.

Piazza reportedly had also considered playing for the Phillies. He grew up near Philadelphia.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers wasn't available for comment Sunday.


Speaking last Friday, Towers said Piazza wanted to play "with a competitive team in a desirable city. I think that his experience when he was with L.A. was a good one. He's very popular out here and is familiar with the area. We'd like to think San Diego is a desirable city and that we're a competitive ballclub."

Piazza was slowed by injuries the past three years and has long had trouble throwing.

He was acquired by the Mets in a trade with Florida in May 1998, eight days after he was shipped from the Dodgers to the Marlins in a blockbuster deal that also included Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and Todd Zeile.

Piazza led the Mets to the 2000 World Series, which they lost to the crosstown rival Yankees.

The Padres will have to move a player off their 40-man roster before signing Piazza.

San Diego obtained catcher Doug Mirabelli from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for second baseman Mark Loretta in December.

[George Foster]

Why can't we find bargins like this? Only 2 million! 19 homers and 62 "rib-eye-stakes" in only 113 games. What are we paying Larue and Valentin combined?

[cincinnati chili]

If they're going to play Piazza for 100 games or so, then it made absolutely no sense to trade away Loretta for Mirabelli (unless Lorretta is damaged goods).

[Jpup]

Originally Posted by cincinnati chili

If they're going to play Piazza for 100 games or so, then it made absolutely no sense to trade away Loretta for Mirabelli (unless Lorretta is damaged goods).

I don't think they had their eyes set on Piazza when that deal went down. I figure that San Diego is going to try and use him more at first base than they have disclosed. Mirabelli could also be traded at anytime.

[blumj]

They have cheaper options for both 2B and C than they had before, though. Less than $5M for 4 players combined. Loretta alone gets $3M this season, maybe a bit more even. But Mirabelli can actually catch and throw and block the plate, so there's that, too.

[Heath]

I didn't know San Diego was in the American League.



Hope he enjoys 1B.

[Nugget]

Hey if Roger comes back for the Astros - could see some fireworks.

[Team Clark]

Originally Posted by George Foster

Why can't we find bargins like this? Only 2 million! 19 homers and 62 "rib-eye-stakes" in only 113 games. What are we paying Larue and Valentin combined?

The Reds did.... Rich Aurillia.

[remdog]

Originally Posted by Team Clark

The Reds did.... Rich Aurillia.

That was a good one, TC.

Rem

[Slyder]

Originally Posted by George Foster

Why can't we find bargins like this? Only 2 million! 19 homers and 62 "rib-eye-stakes" in only 113 games. What are we paying Larue and Valentin combined?

Piazza cant play defense at 1b or C either way most of the good his bat would do would be lost with his play at 1b or catcher. He has no arm, he hasnt stayed healthy since when? SD is taking a huge gamble on Piazza unless they plan on playing him only 9 games next year as DH in AL Parks.