moebarguy
01-29-2006, 03:01 PM
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 the Florida Marlins in 1998.
The deal includes a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million.
Even with Piazza's production at the plate declining, his 19 homers with the New York Mets last season were more than any Padres player hit. Piazza holds the major league record for most career home runs by a catcher.
"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.
You guys didn't really invest much in him, so should be a good signing.
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 the Florida Marlins in 1998.
The deal includes a mutual option for 2007 at $8 million.
Even with Piazza's production at the plate declining, his 19 homers with the New York Mets last season were more than any Padres player hit. Piazza holds the major league record for most career home runs by a catcher.
"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.
You guys didn't really invest much in him, so should be a good signing.