GaryMrMets
01-06-2005, 03:36 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20050104&content_id=927195&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
01/05/2005 8:00 AM ET
Around the Horn: Catchers
Piazza set for season behind the plate
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
Following is the first in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position-by-position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Catcher
NEW YORK -- Odds are that Mike Piazza will be behind the plate on Opening Day in Cincinnati, waiting for Pedro Martinez's first fastball as a Met.
That alone would prove to be an accomplishment for the game's greatest-hitting catcher simply because when the 2004 season ended, no one was quite sure where Piazza would be playing, either in terms of a position or a team. Piazza left Shea Stadium in October, with questions about his health, how much ability he has left and whether New York was willing to take on his $15 million salary for the final year of his contract.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya shopped Piazza briefly this winter, talking to several teams, including the Dodgers and the Cubs. Ultimately, there were no takers for the 36-year-old backstop despite his Hall of Fame credentials. So unless Minaya can pull off a last-minute deal before pitchers and catchers report next month, expect Piazza to be in Port St. Lucie, Fla., as New York's primary catcher.
Even at 36, Piazza can still be a productive part of the lineup despite the fact his numbers have declined in each of the last three seasons. He has spent considerable time on the disabled list and has been limited to 31 homers and 88 RBIs in 197 games in 2003-04, so the days of Piazza hitting .330 with 40 homers and 120 RBIs are a distant memory. But there's no reason to believe that he can't put up a solid .280 with 25 homers and 75 or so RBIs, especially without the distraction of having to play first base.
Add in the fact that New York figures to get another big bat or two, whether it's Carlos Beltran or Carlos Delgado. With additional firepower, Piazza won't be needed to hit cleanup every day or expected to produce the way he did when he first arrived in New York.
Piazza, barring another injury like the banged-up knee he suffered in 2004 or the torn groin muscle that sidelined him in 2003, should be behind the plate for just over 100 games and will likely serve as the designated hitter when the Mets play in American League cities. That leaves between 50 and 60 games for one of Piazza's backups.
Right now, Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips are the primary backups, though Phillips has the added flexibility of being able to play first base. The Mets re-signed Wilson last month and like his approach and his clubhouse demeanor, so he figures to get the bulk of the extra action. Phillips was quietly being shopped by Minaya at the Winter Meetings and may not be with the club when the season starts.
Wilson underwent season-ending hand surgery in September, but has been undergoing extensive rehab since and will be at the club's minicamp next week. He hit .274 last year with four homers and 21 RBIs while throwing out 34 percent of those trying to steal. Wilson also proved that he could play every day while Piazza was out, so his value is great.
The Mets also signed Ramon Castro and Andy Dominique to minor league contracts last month and they are expected to compete for spots on the roster. Throw in Mike Jacobs, the club's 2004 Minor League Player of the Year, and it's a crowded mix. Jacobs missed most of last season at Triple-A Norfolk after undergoing surgery to have a cyst removed, but is now fully recovered.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/13/lbhpxomi.jpg
Mike Piazza should see a majority of the playing time as the Mets catcher. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/21/JpQ98pRS.jpg
Mike Piazza smacked 31 homers and drove in 88 runs in 197 games in over the last two seasons. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/images/news/aroundthehornlogo.gif
• Catchers: Piazza ready for 2005
• Corner infielders: Wed., Jan. 12
• Middle infielders: Wed., Jan. 19
• Outfielders: Wed., Jan. 26
• Starting rotation: Wed., Feb. 2
• Bullpen: Wed., Feb. 9
• Bench: Wed., Feb. 16
01/05/2005 8:00 AM ET
Around the Horn: Catchers
Piazza set for season behind the plate
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
Following is the first in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position-by-position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Catcher
NEW YORK -- Odds are that Mike Piazza will be behind the plate on Opening Day in Cincinnati, waiting for Pedro Martinez's first fastball as a Met.
That alone would prove to be an accomplishment for the game's greatest-hitting catcher simply because when the 2004 season ended, no one was quite sure where Piazza would be playing, either in terms of a position or a team. Piazza left Shea Stadium in October, with questions about his health, how much ability he has left and whether New York was willing to take on his $15 million salary for the final year of his contract.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya shopped Piazza briefly this winter, talking to several teams, including the Dodgers and the Cubs. Ultimately, there were no takers for the 36-year-old backstop despite his Hall of Fame credentials. So unless Minaya can pull off a last-minute deal before pitchers and catchers report next month, expect Piazza to be in Port St. Lucie, Fla., as New York's primary catcher.
Even at 36, Piazza can still be a productive part of the lineup despite the fact his numbers have declined in each of the last three seasons. He has spent considerable time on the disabled list and has been limited to 31 homers and 88 RBIs in 197 games in 2003-04, so the days of Piazza hitting .330 with 40 homers and 120 RBIs are a distant memory. But there's no reason to believe that he can't put up a solid .280 with 25 homers and 75 or so RBIs, especially without the distraction of having to play first base.
Add in the fact that New York figures to get another big bat or two, whether it's Carlos Beltran or Carlos Delgado. With additional firepower, Piazza won't be needed to hit cleanup every day or expected to produce the way he did when he first arrived in New York.
Piazza, barring another injury like the banged-up knee he suffered in 2004 or the torn groin muscle that sidelined him in 2003, should be behind the plate for just over 100 games and will likely serve as the designated hitter when the Mets play in American League cities. That leaves between 50 and 60 games for one of Piazza's backups.
Right now, Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips are the primary backups, though Phillips has the added flexibility of being able to play first base. The Mets re-signed Wilson last month and like his approach and his clubhouse demeanor, so he figures to get the bulk of the extra action. Phillips was quietly being shopped by Minaya at the Winter Meetings and may not be with the club when the season starts.
Wilson underwent season-ending hand surgery in September, but has been undergoing extensive rehab since and will be at the club's minicamp next week. He hit .274 last year with four homers and 21 RBIs while throwing out 34 percent of those trying to steal. Wilson also proved that he could play every day while Piazza was out, so his value is great.
The Mets also signed Ramon Castro and Andy Dominique to minor league contracts last month and they are expected to compete for spots on the roster. Throw in Mike Jacobs, the club's 2004 Minor League Player of the Year, and it's a crowded mix. Jacobs missed most of last season at Triple-A Norfolk after undergoing surgery to have a cyst removed, but is now fully recovered.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/13/lbhpxomi.jpg
Mike Piazza should see a majority of the playing time as the Mets catcher. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/07/21/JpQ98pRS.jpg
Mike Piazza smacked 31 homers and drove in 88 runs in 197 games in over the last two seasons. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/mlb/images/news/aroundthehornlogo.gif
• Catchers: Piazza ready for 2005
• Corner infielders: Wed., Jan. 12
• Middle infielders: Wed., Jan. 19
• Outfielders: Wed., Jan. 26
• Starting rotation: Wed., Feb. 2
• Bullpen: Wed., Feb. 9
• Bench: Wed., Feb. 16