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Reds Interested In Piazza?
WEDNESDAY: Hal McCoy ran this one by Dusty, who implied that he hasn't had any discussions about Piazza specifically. Meanwhile Fay says the Reds have "mild interest" in his latest article.
TUESDAY: This morning, Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball wrote that Reds manager Dusty Baker expected his team to sign free agent catcher Mike Piazza. Reds beat writer John Fay checked in on the rumor, and it he didn't get a denial. Whether or not Piazza is the target, the Reds are looking for catching help and/or a right-handed bench bat.
Piazza, 39, hit .275/.313/.414 in 83 games last year. He earned $8.5MM from the A's and didn't catch at all. A shoulder injury knocked him out for much of the season, and he cleared waivers in August. The A's offered him arbitration after the season, which he declined. They stand to snag a supplemental draft pick if he signs with the Reds. This winter we heard rumblings about retirement, the Rays, or even Japan for Piazza.
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This is a great idea for Cincinnati. He'd give them another good patient veteran for their lineup. In the NL he is still an average hitter and would be a huge upgrade from the trio of Bako, Ross and Valentin.
The Reds could start Piazza, let him get 2-3 at bats, and then have Bako come in as the defensive replacement. Piazza wouldn't get worn down and would likely stay healthier, and that'd hopefully make him an even more effective hitter.
Posted by: scribbletone | April 15, 2008 at 07:52 PM
He DH'd last year and still got worn down. There was a time when his offense overcame his poor defense, those days are over, but Dusty loves his veterens.
Posted by: pinetarhand | April 15, 2008 at 08:56 PM
As a Reds fan, it is NOT surprising that Cincinnati is interested in Mike Piazza. After seven straight LOSING seasons, I have come to expect things like this.
The Reds have known for over a year that they have needed Catching help, what with Ross being a good Defensive Catcher but not being able to hit and Javy Valentin being nothing more than a Designated Pinch Hitter, but did nothing about it.
Now, they have a chance to IMPROVE their team by trading for Bengie Molina, while probably not having to give up too much and yet they are looking at going for the over-the-hill scrap heap player like Piazza. A guy who was VERY POOR at throwing runners out his last couple of years when he did Catch.
Ten years ago this move might have made sense but not now, especially if he is expected to be an everyday Catcher. Heck, even a platoon Catcher isn't a good situation for him.
I can't WAIT for Neifi Perez to come in and take over for Edwin Encarnacion. I also can't wait for Dunn and KGJ to be traded (no sarcasm, that is the TRUTH!!). However, instead of Jay Bruce and some other young, productive players to take their respective places, I expect the Reds to sign Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa. That way, the Outfield would consist of Barry Bonds in LF, Patterson in CF and Sammy Sosa in RF.
A veritable Giants and Cubs reunion party for Dusty and his PED boys....
Posted by: ctownboy | April 15, 2008 at 09:34 PM
I guess I wasn't aware of how bad Piazza's defense was. Especially when you consider that the rotation has two potential studs in it who need a good, veteran defensive catcher in there.
Maybe because of young guys like Volquez and Cueto, it makes less sense for the Reds to go after Piazza. But I think that if he can prove to be a servicable catcher behind the plate then he deserves to take some at bats from the likes of Ross and Bako.
"That way, the Outfield would consist of Barry Bonds in LF, Patterson in CF and Sammy Sosa in RF."
If you described this outfield to someone in 2002 they'd be freaking out. Two 60 homer hitters with 1100ish OPS's AND a young potential 30-30 stud who plays gold glove defense in center. And here we are now.
Posted by: scribbletone | April 15, 2008 at 09:54 PM
Is he even healthy enough to catch? Wouldn't make as much sense if he's just a right-handed bat off the bench.
Posted by: dbacksbuzz | April 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
As a Cubs fan, I'm thrilled this might be true. But if I were a Reds fan I would be pretty upset.
Here's what would likely happen: Piazza would eventually end up taking time away from Joey Votto at 1b, not from the catchers. Piazza basically can't catch anymore. He can't block errant throws and he never could throw out runners. If the Reds pick him up he would be a part time 1b/PH. Votto would lose ab's, which would be one of the dumbest things they could do as an organization (other than playing Korey Patterson over Jay Bruce. Tha and signing a manager who can't tutor or instruct young players when the Reds have a nice group of young guys about to make their mark).
They should have kept Narron as manager or gone out and nabbed a patient manager who can work with kids. Dusty started complaining that Votto was too patient at the plate during spring training. Votto has a .385 career obp in the minors, and a nice slg percentage to go with it.
Dusty is a moron. If Reds fans haven't figured that out yet, they will quickly.
Posted by: hemingways | April 15, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Dusty hates those base cloggers. That's why K-Pat's batting leadoff. OBP of .304 & .314 last 2 years and now batting leadoff. Makes absolutely no sense.
Posted by: pinetarhand | April 15, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Corey Patterson isn't playing over Jay Bruce, he's playing over Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel...but of course that doesn't have anything to do with this and neither does whining about Dusty Baker.
As for Piazza, it seems pointless to look at him as anything more than a 1st base platoon. The Reds have right handed options in the minors with Jolbert Cabrera who is tearing it up in AAA as well as Jerry Hairston Jr. who is surprisingly doing very well in AAA. Basically they seem to have in-house options that will be cheaper and don't pose as large an injury risk. I'd rather give the guys in the minors before looking outside the organization.
Posted by: Bank Street Grounds | April 15, 2008 at 11:53 PM
"I guess I wasn't aware of how bad Piazza's defense was. Especially when you consider that the rotation has two potential studs in it who need a good, veteran defensive catcher in there."
Piazza could be fine to work with the young pitchers. He always called a good gamed, and was always a solid backstop, he just cant throw. I think it is a good idea. Let him catch 3 or 4 games a week, and pinch hit the rest of the time. Piazza is still a good enough hitter to hit 20 HRs or more in 300 at bats in that launching pad.
Posted by: nrmax88 | April 16, 2008 at 01:25 AM
Unfortunately, throwing is kind of important for a catcher to be able to do irrespective of his ability to call a game or otherwise lead a young pitching staff. The other issue is, as has been mentioned, Piazza's health. There is also opportunity cost, meaning that adding a veteran costs someone else playing time or even a roster spot. I'm not acquainted enough with the Reds roster to know if Piazza could easily be accomodated, roster-wise. There are enough dimensions to this issue to suggest that it could, potentially, be a very bad decision for a young, up and coming team. The farm system is rich enough that I think they would be better served trading for a longer term solution.
Posted by: MickS | April 16, 2008 at 09:35 AM