Big bite of the Apple
Piazza, Mets agree to record $91 million, 7-year deal
Posted: Saturday October 24, 1998 08:44 AM
| |
Piazza's contract would be a record for total dollars and average per season AP |
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mike Piazza is
staying put behind the plate for the New York Mets.
The All-Star catcher and the Mets have reached agreement on a $91 million,
seven-year contract, The Associated Press learned early
Saturday. The deal, the richest in the sport's history, is
expected to be announced by the Mets on Monday, according to people in
baseball. Piazza and the team met Wednesday in Los Angeles. He
was eligible to file for free agency starting Thursday, but did not -- as
it turned out, details of the deal had already been finalized.
Piazza, 30, hit .329 with 32 home runs and 111 RBIs for New York, Los
Angeles and Florida this year. He carried the Mets in the final month in
their bid for the NL wild-card spot. The contract would be a
record for total dollars and average per season, topping the $75 million,
six-year contract that Boston pitcher Pedro
Martinez started this season. Piazza's deal includes a
limited trade clause. He and the Mets will agree at the start of each
season on four teams to which Piazza could be dealt to. Early
Saturday, Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz denied reports that a deal with Piazza
had been completed. Horwitz said Mets general manager Steve Phillips
intended to talk with Piazza's agents over the weekend. Piazza
finished a $15 million, two-year contract this season. He was traded from
Los Angeles to Florida in May after the Dodgers failed to reach agreement
with him on a multiyear deal, and the Marlins traded him to the Mets a week
later. Piazza's deal appears to signal the Mets will attempt to
trade Todd
Hundley, due to be paid $5.2 million next season and $6 million in 2000
as part of a $21 million, four-year contract he agreed to in January
1997. Hundley underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in
September 1997 and struggled when he came back this July, hitting just .161
with three homers, 12 RBIs and 55 strikeouts in 124 at-bats. He struggled
when the Mets tried him in the outfield and may not have much trade value
until he proves again that he's an everyday player as a catcher.
New York also is negotiating with pitcher Al Leiter, who
wants to stay with the Mets. The sides were said to be close to a four-year
deal worth about $8 million a year, but the deal was not expected to be
finalized this weekend.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 
