PIAZZA, PT. II


please define "long-term rebuilding"

David Waldstein of the Newark Star-Ledger has more on today's Mike Piazza-wants-out rumors, suggesting that Mike is eager to leave if the Mets "are planning a long-term rebuilding process."

So the Orioles are a lock for the playoffs next year? If Piazza is unhappy living or playing in NY or is fed up with the intense scrutiny that comes with being the Mets' sole marquee guy, that's legit. But if he's upset that the Mets haven't fielded a competitive club of late, he can also reflect on his injuries and declining production. A healthy, productive Mike Piazza playing 140+ games (perhaps some at first), hitting .290-.300, with 30+ HR's and 100 RBI's would go a very long way towards making the Mets --- even as they are currently constructed --- a respectable club, if not a wild card contender. If you add some combination of Mike Cameron, Todd Walker or Preston Wilson to a lineup that includes Piazza, Cliff Floyd , Jose Reyes and Jason Phillips, perhaps the Mets are a little tougher to pitch to. If you add Keith Foulke or Billy Koch to the bullpen, perhaps New York holds onto a few more leads. And if you add a starter like Kevin Millwood, Kelvim Escobar, Bartolo Colon or David Wells (ok, just kidding about that one) to a rotation of Leiter, Glavine, Traschel and Seo...making the playoffs seems just as likely for the Mets as it would be for the Dodgers and far more so than Baltimore, just to name 2 of Piazza's possible destinations.

Has anyone mentioned a Ramirez/Piazza swap yet?

Posted: Fri - November 14, 2003 at 10:44 AM      

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