Mike Piazza signs with Padres

[Rex Grossman 8]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Free-agent catcher Mike Piazza has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Padres, FOXSports.com has learned.The contract includes an $8 million mutual option for 2007.Piazza, 37, initially sought to sign with an American League team, intending to become a designated hitter. He chose the Padres over the Phillies when no such opportunity became available.The Padres are expected to use Piazza as their cleanup hitter and No. 1 catcher. They were preparing to go to spring training with two career backups, Doug Mirabelli and David Ross, splitting time at the position.The Yankees showed mild interest in Piazza, and other AL clubs informed Piazza's representatives that the only way they could sign him was by trading a high-priced DH type.The Orioles, for example, would have needed to move catcher Javy Lopez. The Rangers would have needed to trade Phil Nevin. The Devil Rays would have needed to move Aubrey Huff.The Padres envision Dave Roberts, Ryan Klesko and Brian Giles hitting in the first three spots ahead of Piazza. Vinny Castilla then would bat fifth, followed by Mike Cameron, Khalil Greene and Mark Bellhorn or Josh Barfield.Piazza hit 18 home runs in 371 at-bats for the Mets last season, a rate second only to the Rangers' Rod Barajas among catchers who had enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. He also finished with a .785 on-base/slugging percentage, seventh among major-league catchers. Throwing out base stealers is Piazza's primary deficiency as a catcher. Opponents were 82-for-92 (89.1 percent) against him last season, the highest percentage against any major-league catcher.</div>http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5289794

 

[JHair]

I wish the Phils got him

 

[laxkid23]

Im a yankee fan so I dont care....glad hes outta NY

 

[Brooksie5]

Big deal. He sucks.

 

[JHair]

You're prolly right I doubt he will do much with the Padres

 

[cwebb4]

Piazza is past his prime. He's overrated and needs to retire, lol.

 

[AdropOFvenom]

He might be past his prime, but he still hits better then about 25 starting catchers in the league today.

 

[ortiz34]

Who expected him to go to Philly? lol........like Venom said, he's better than a lot of catchers. I think he'll put up decent numbers......maybe 15 HRs and 65 RBI's......not bad for a catcher.

 

[GotSkillz92]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ortiz34 @ Jan 30 2006, 09:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Who expected him to go to Philly? lol........like Venom said, he's better than a lot of catchers. I think he'll put up decent numbers......maybe 15 HRs and 65 RBI's......not bad for a catcher.</div> There were rumors that he was heading there. he had a meeting with the phillies. As a met fan, ill say Mike is way past his prime. he did alright last year but not same old piazza.

 

[DevinHester23]

WTF is he going to an NL team? I thought he would join an AL team to be a full-times DH.