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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Gotham Baseball: Healey: Piazza Coming To The Bronx?

Brought to you by the Laughter Heals Foundation…

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.”

Repoz Posted: April 15, 2008 at 03:59 PM | 26 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralCincinnatiNY Yankees

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   1. snapper Posted: April 15, 2008 at 04:22 PM (#2744997)
I don't see why Piazza would sign with the Yankees. He'd be real useful for the next 3 weeks. But then Posada and Molina will be healthy, and DH is already full up.

I assume he wants to go somewhere he'll actually play.
   2. Johnny Clash Posted: April 15, 2008 at 04:23 PM (#2745000)
Piazza isn't a good hitter anymore, at least if he plays 1b or DH. OPS+ the last four seasons: 108, 104, 122, 96.

For a catcher that's pretty good, but can he throw at all at this point? He never threw well to begin with, and he severely injured his throwing shoulder last season with the A's.

And he will be 39 this season.

Regardless, first ballot HOF.
   3. Greg K Posted: April 15, 2008 at 04:35 PM (#2745012)
I've always wondered this

To what degree to catchers call games?
It seems an awful lot of games are called from the dugout. Does that just happen in certain circumstances? Or with certain catchers (ie. rookies don't get to call games).

How does this work?
   4. Hubie Brooks Posted: April 15, 2008 at 04:54 PM (#2745031)
In my best Darth Vader voice:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
   5. Master of the small sample size Posted: April 15, 2008 at 05:00 PM (#2745035)
They must be pending figuring how to move 2nd base closer to the plate.
   6. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: April 15, 2008 at 05:27 PM (#2745059)
I just threw up a little bit into my mouth. But then I read #1 and was able to swallow it back down.

Does anybody have a Tic Tac?
   7. Tike Redman's Shattered Dreams (shayborg) Posted: April 15, 2008 at 05:33 PM (#2745066)
He just wants to be close to David Wright again.
   8. Raskolnikov Posted: April 15, 2008 at 05:39 PM (#2745069)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

My reaction as well.

Get your greasy paws off of our former stars.
   9. HowardMegdal Posted: April 15, 2008 at 06:25 PM (#2745097)
Is it safe to assume that if he does sign with the Yankees, he'll throw a no-hitter?

I'm not convinced that Molina is back so soon, and I'll be checking in with Posada on his injury- but it may be that nobody knows when he'll be able to catch again.
   10. rpackrat Posted: April 15, 2008 at 06:26 PM (#2745100)
This will be great!!! He'll play for the Yanks for 3 weeks until Posada comes back, the Yanks will then release him, and 5 years from now Yankee fans will be screaming that he should be wearing a Yankee cap on his HOF plaque.
   11. Baseballing powerhouse Crispix Attacks Posted: April 15, 2008 at 06:53 PM (#2745115)
No, no, no. Sal Fasano is like Piazza but better in every way. Bring him back instead!
   12. AJM Misses Brodeur Posted: April 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM (#2745122)
This can't happen.
   13. Tuque Snider is the new Gagne_55 Posted: April 15, 2008 at 07:02 PM (#2745126)
#### it, just put Girardi out there for a few games. It would...inspire his team, or summat.

Do it! Doooo iiit
   14. Rich Posted: April 15, 2008 at 07:45 PM (#2745197)
Posada's shoulder problem sounds like it could linger. If the Yankees do sign Piazza, it could indicate that they are concerned about the prognosis.
   15. Mike Hampton's #1 Fan Posted: April 15, 2008 at 07:54 PM (#2745219)
If the Yankees do sign Piazza, it could indicate that they are concerned about the prognosis.

Although signing Mike Piazza because you're worried your catcher might have trouble throwing is like signing Paris Hilton because you're worried your economic advisor isn't smart enough.
   16. Rich Posted: April 15, 2008 at 10:15 PM (#2745744)

Although signing Mike Piazza because you're worried your catcher might have trouble throwing is like signing Paris Hilton because you're worried your economic advisor isn't smart enough.


True, but the available options appear to be rather slim right now. btw, I'll give Paris this, she seems to know how to turn a buck.
   17. Bruce Markusen Posted: April 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM (#2745853)
Piazza could still be useful, but from what I've read, a lot of scouts feel that he physically can't catch anymore. It's not just the throwing; his back and knees just won't hold up behind the plate. Perhaps he could play two or three times a week, but where else would he play with the Yankees, given the logjam at first base and DH?

The Reds need catching help, but I think they're looking for a frontline catcher (Laird or R Hernandez) rather than a role player.
   18. Lassus Posted: April 15, 2008 at 11:17 PM (#2745860)
I'm as big a Mets fan as anyone, but I just don't have the teeth-gashing hair-rending reaction most Mets fans here are having. He did what he did with us, we loved him, and WE are the ones that told him to move on. I don't see it as revenge, I just don't see that it has anything to do with his time with us, if he ends up playing for the Yankees. I'd love for him to have a productive year because I like him, and I don't care if it's for the Yankees.
   19. TVerik fondly recalls Todd Palin's facial hair Posted: April 15, 2008 at 11:34 PM (#2745868)
If Giambi continues to flail away at the plate, I think the Yankees will have a need for a bat at 1b.

Just accept the fact that he's a sunk cost and move on!
   20. Repoz Posted: April 15, 2008 at 11:54 PM (#2745876)
If the Yankees do sign Piazza...Waldling will finally be right about having a backup catcher that "and has some surprising pop in his bat!" Unlike Flash Figgawidgga.
   21. billyshears Posted: April 16, 2008 at 12:08 AM (#2745879)
Honestly, I'd just like to see Piazza get a chance to play and go out on his own terms. If it's with the Yankees, so be it.
   22. Mark Shirk (jsch) Posted: April 16, 2008 at 01:43 AM (#2745909)
How injured is Dave Ross? The Reds have Ross and Valentin, which isn't that bad of a combo, or at least bad enough that they need laird or hernandez, much less Piazza. Plus Piazza would help to take even more time away from Joey Votto at 1B no?
   23. Monsieur Valentin Posted: April 16, 2008 at 09:47 AM (#2746036)
Ross is rehabbing - he had some back spasms but nothing serious and should be back with the team fairly soon. With Paul Bako hitting out of his mind for the moment they're getting by at catcher. But they do need some pop from the right side, and if Piazza still has some then he's a worthwhile pickup. If they did that and traded Hatteberg (who's had two solid years but should be dealt before he turns into a pumpkin), there should still be sufficient playing time for Votto. I don't see any of this happening.
   24. Toolsy McClutch Posted: April 16, 2008 at 09:50 AM (#2746039)
Inge.
   25. Sam M. Posted: April 16, 2008 at 10:10 AM (#2746070)
The idea of Mike Piazza playing for the Yankees makes me cringe. It's not as bad as the notion of Seaver pitching for them would have been; that would have induced seizures. But I wouldn't want to see any Mets' hero playing for them. That said, I wouldn't begrudge Piazza or anyone else the opportunity to extend his career if that's what he wanted to do, and if it was the Yankees that provided the chance . . . well, so be it.

But I'd hate it. Of all the gin joints in all the world, he walks into THAT one???
   26. Sheer Tim Foli Posted: April 16, 2008 at 02:22 PM (#2746518)
As someone living in a one-team city I'll never understand the type of rivalry found in the two city teams. Friendly rivalry, sure I'd expect that. You'd think fans would have a favourite team in both leagues but it doesn't seem to be. The ChiSox/Cubs and Yank/Mets fans don't really seem to share a fanbase to the extent I would have imagined.

I am not saying I am above it I just don't quite understand it.
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