Surprising bit of info out of the Philadelphia Inquirer this morning courtesy of Todd Zolecki. According to the article:
"The Phillies have talked with free-agent catcher Mike Piazza about a possible contract, a baseball source said, but it seems Piazza might have better options with the San Diego Padres or Chicago Cubs. Piazza could make a decision before the end of the week."
The extent of Jim Hendry’s talks, if any, with Piazza’s agent (Dan Lozano) is unknown currently. For what it’s worth, Lozano also represents Jacque Jones.
My thoughts on this: if it was for $4MM or so for a year, the Cubs should bring Piazza aboard and worry about his role later. Hendry did the same with Todd Walker a couple of years ago because the price was right. Maybe Piazza spells Derrek Lee at first for ten games, DHs in interleague games, and catches 40 times. Piazza’s three-year splits don’t really indicate a big platoon advantage, so it would likely just be a matter of working him into the lineup whenever possible.
I’m poking around to try to find some more information and determine whether the Cubs are seriously considering Piazza.
UPDATE: The Tribune’s Dave van Dyck debunked the Piazza rumor today:
"Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was surprised at the report, admitting he had jokingly said to Piazza’s agent that he could use a pinch-hitter like the future Hall of Famer, but that ’I think he can get a better job than that.’"
