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Bring Him Back

Centerfield Sep 30 2005 09:43 AM

Mike Piazza is currently 5th amongst all catchers in [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting?seasonType=2&type=reg&sort=OPS&minpa=350&split=0&season=2005&pos=c&hand=a&league=mlb&ageMin=17&ageMax=51]OPS[/url] Of the four in front of him, two of them (LaRue and Barret) play in pitchers parks, and another was once (before Big Papi's September) considered the MVP for his team. None of them, of course, are available. Ramon Hernandez, often mentioned as a possible replacement for Big Mike, checks in with an OPS of .779...which is only .009 higher than Ramon Castro. Speaking of Castro, between Ramon and Mike, the Mets have gotten 27 HR's and 103 RBI from the catcher position demonstrating that is still a strength for the Mets. I say that's plenty. And for those that have seen Castro drive in runs and might be entertaining thoughts of making him the starter, a look at the stats reveals that Mike beats him in every single offensive category with the exception of stolen bases. (Castro 1, Piazza 0). And I don't agree with the general conception is that Mike's defense has faltered to the point he should go to the American League. Mike has never been a great defensive catcher...it's always his offense that has justified him being in the lineup. And though it's not as patently obvious as it used to be when he was hitting .320 and mashing 35 HR's, I say his offense still makes him a productive player. Let the other guys sign the Alberto Castillo's of this world. On Edit: Edgy, can you fix my link? What am I doing wrong?

Edgy DC Sep 30 2005 10:24 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Sep 30 2005 12:18 PM

How 'bout those Molinas of the world? Listen, I'm behind this. Sign him for 1.5 to $2 million base with incentives that could take it up to $7-7.5 million. Even throw an option year for the same in there. But don't think for a minute those guys yelling "One more year!" won't rip the Mets if the deal goes sour. The important thing is to have contingencies in place for when his productivity no longer out his defense and his increasing fragility. Jesus Flores crapped out at Hagerstown this season, but Mike Jacobs, Joe Hietpas, and Andrew Wilson (not to mention Castro) still give them a chance to resign Piazza and transition on the fly, which is a beautiful thing when it works.

86-Dreamer Sep 30 2005 12:05 PM

I have been thinking the same thing for weeks now. It began as sentiment, but I truly think they would have a tough time coming up with a more productive combo than Castro/Piazza.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 30 2005 12:12 PM

I kind of like the idea of Piazza as part of a 3-headed catching corps which would leave him to DH in interleague, get starts at catcher when feasible, but mainly to be an extremely threatening version of Jose Offerman.

TheOldMole Sep 30 2005 01:15 PM

I've got no problem with this.

sharpie Sep 30 2005 02:54 PM

count me in.

ABG Sep 30 2005 03:02 PM

I could forsee a scenario where the market dictates to Piazza and the Mets that a reasonable arrangement could be made in the 4-5 mill guaranteed range with incentives piled on. I would hope this came after we plugged up the pen and settled 1b/2b/of.

ScarletKnight41 Sep 30 2005 03:12 PM

God on high Hear my prayer In my need You have always been there He is young He's afraid Let him rest Heaven blessed. Bring him home Bring him home Bring him home. He's like the son I might have known If God had granted me a son. The summers die One by one How soon they fly On and on And I am old And will be gone. Bring him peace Bring him joy He is young He is only a boy You can take You can give Let him be Let him live If I die, let me die Let him live Bring him home Bring him home Bring him home.

Willets Point Sep 30 2005 03:14 PM

Now we see where La Diva gets it from.

Valadius Sep 30 2005 03:35 PM

Who says we haven't found our first baseman already? Mike Jacobs has an OPS of 1.018. Give the Jake-Monster a shot.

sharpie Sep 30 2005 03:39 PM

'Course he could very easily turn out to be Rico Brogna, who also impressed in a short stint.

ABG Sep 30 2005 03:54 PM

sharpie wrote: 'Course he could very easily turn out to be Rico Brogna, who also impressed in a short stint. Or Jason Phillips. Catcher turned 1b who had an out-of-nowhere nice rookie season.

Johnny Dickshot Sep 30 2005 05:03 PM

Seems to me they'd want a RH hitter would they give 1B to Jake, perhaps a another reason to hold onto Piazza, if he gets over his bad self.

Elster88 Sep 30 2005 05:18 PM

I posted this a while back and everyone ignored me. *pouts and stomps his feet*

DocTee Sep 30 2005 05:19 PM

Count me in-- at the time of his hand injury, Mike was second in the bigs among catchers in HR/RBI.

KC Sep 30 2005 05:24 PM

Count me in on the Piazza-signs-in-a-diminishing-role-for-not-too-much- and-an-incentive-laden-contract camp. Other than that, sayonara.

Nymr83 Oct 01 2005 09:31 AM

i wanted to find someone to platoon with castroanyway, if piazza is CHEAP then fine, but i dont want to see him getting a gauranteed 5 or 6 mil just because of his name.

DocTee Oct 01 2005 10:36 AM

Despite fewer AB's (nearly 200), Mike outperforms Beltran (among others) in almost all offensive stats. I'm not saying we break the bank for him, but if it comes down to spending comparable sums on MP or Ramon Hernandez,for argument's sake, it's an easy decision. Piazza deserves to be bought back on performance, not just on his name or his past accomplishments.

Zvon Oct 02 2005 08:23 PM

One thing I really enjoyed about this season was not hearing anything from Fred Wilpon about anything. He couldnt stay quite, unfortunately, and did go on record the other day saying he wishes Mike well, where ever he ends up. I personally would like to see Piazza stay on. Ive come to accept the fact that this is a looooooongshot.

Rockin' Doc Oct 03 2005 05:14 AM

I think Piazza is still a better option than most of the catchers that may be available to replace him. I too wouldn't mind seeing Piazza back if it was at a reasonably affordable, incentive laden, short term contract. However, I doubt seriously that we will see Piazza in a Mets uniform again. He will likely get more lucrative offers to play as a DH/catcher in the AL.

Edgy DC Oct 03 2005 06:14 AM

ONe more reason to hate the AL and their stupid rule --- it queers the marketplace. The time has come A fact's a fact He belongs to us Let's bring him back.

Willets Point Nov 29 2005 01:31 PM

Anyone still in favor of this after the Mets free agent rampage? Is Piazza even still a possibility? I'm not stating pro-or-anti, just curious of the option.

86-Dreamer Nov 29 2005 01:49 PM

I think that a reduced role/salary on a team with Delgado and Wagner is probably a little more appealing to Piazza than it was before those improvements. On the other hand, he may be resentful that Mets have likely offered several million to two other catchers that in his opinion are neither much younger, or any better than he is, and decided to move on regardless of what happens. I still think Piazza/Castro is a good option, but the Mets have made no secret that they plan to do do something else.

Elster88 Nov 29 2005 01:50 PM

]"Nothing signals the arrival of summer more than watching Mets baseball and enjoying delicious Wise snacks." - Jeff Wilpon, June 2005 Now THAT'S a sig line.

Centerfield Dec 05 2005 12:41 PM

Bring him back anyway. Trade Lo Duca.

Elster88 Dec 05 2005 12:43 PM

Me too. I miss Mike already.

Centerfield Dec 06 2005 09:27 AM

I guess it was inevitable, but I caught this tidbit in today's News: Minaya confirmed that Mike Piazza's tenure with the Mets officially will end tomorrow when the club declines arbitration to the future Hall of Famer, forfeiting negotiating rights. This means only one thing. That the Mets have to trade LoDuca today and finalize a deal with Piazza later tonight. Do it Omar.

Centerfield Dec 08 2005 11:40 AM

You know, sometime around the trade deadline next year, the Mets should look to get a veteran presence off the bench. Someone who bats right-handed and has a little bit of pop...

Valadius Dec 08 2005 11:43 AM

Someone all too familiar...

seawolf17 Dec 08 2005 11:44 AM

How great would that be!! Let's say Mike signs a one-year deal with someone who turns out to be a non-contender. We're two games out of the wild card spot, it's July 29, and the best right-handed bat we have on the bench is Chris Woodward. I'd send a mid-level prospect somewhere to bring back Mike for two months.

Elster88 Dec 08 2005 11:49 AM

I don't have a list of the projected 14 DHers, but is Piazza really enough of a hitter to be one anymore? And if he is, but only if he replaces Super Joe in KC, why on earth would he want to go there? To play wife-swap with the Bensons?