Mike Piazza to NPB?
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Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: Something Lions | Posted: Jan 19, 2006 4:47 PM
| SL Fan
]
Softbank just lost the top Japanese catcher in Johjima to the majors, plays in the DH Pa-League, and they have the financial clout. Would be an interesting match if it ever happened.
Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: Guest: John Brooks | Posted: Jan 19, 2006 10:13 PM
]
Piazza would more likely play as a designated hitter, meaning he would sign with a Pacific League team. I see the language barrier tougher for a player such as Piazza than as Johjima.
So with Softbank, I would rule them out as they have Julio Zuleta who has been great, and will come at a much cheaper price than Piazza. I could see the Rakuten Eagles as a team with the financial clout to sign Piazza, but I can't see Softbank with Zuleta.
So with Softbank, I would rule them out as they have Julio Zuleta who has been great, and will come at a much cheaper price than Piazza. I could see the Rakuten Eagles as a team with the financial clout to sign Piazza, but I can't see Softbank with Zuleta.
Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: matteo | Posted: Jan 23, 2006 9:54 PM
]
Adding to what Brooks-san just wrote. If he was to play as a DH, he would be limited to the Pacific League. That so, what clubs could offer the asking price? His salary last year yas US$16 million. 2.5 times the highest ever single season NPB salary.
Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: Guest: Gary Garland | Posted: Jan 25, 2006 7:09 PM
]
There's been no talk about Piazza in Japan that I know of. Mike looked like he might be washed up last season anyway.
An intriguing thought is that Benji Molina isn't happy with the offers he is getting in MLB. If I were Rakuten, I would pay Molina $6-7 million for one season.
An intriguing thought is that Benji Molina isn't happy with the offers he is getting in MLB. If I were Rakuten, I would pay Molina $6-7 million for one season.
Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: Guest: Ed Kranepool | Posted: Jan 27, 2006 3:30 PM
]
Molina would be a very nice pick up for an NPB team. The market for catchers is dry in MLB.
Piazza may be headed to San Diego for only $2 million. He may end up being their starter because they have bupkis in that position.
Tell me that an NPB team wouldn't lay $5 million on Piazza to DH and catch 75 games or so. He can still hit if he gets his rest. Even at 37, he is a lot better than most gaijin big bats in NPB.
Piazza may be headed to San Diego for only $2 million. He may end up being their starter because they have bupkis in that position.
Tell me that an NPB team wouldn't lay $5 million on Piazza to DH and catch 75 games or so. He can still hit if he gets his rest. Even at 37, he is a lot better than most gaijin big bats in NPB.
Re: Mike Piazza to NPB?
[ Author: Guest: John Brooks | Posted: Jan 28, 2006 5:29 AM
]
- Molina would be a very nice pick up for an NPB team.
Though the only problem for Molina is the language barrier. It's probably easier for Johjima to adjust to a language barrier than for Molina to do so. Also, I don't see a NPB team offering him the amount of money he wants.
- Tell me that an NPB team wouldn't lay $5 million on Piazza to DH and catch 75 games or so.
The only NPB team that will probably offer Piazza a deal of that amount would be the Softbank Hawks. Though, as I mentioned with Molina above, I also don't see Piazza playing catcher in the NPB, if he were to play also. As for Softbank signing Piazza, I highly doubt it. They have Matsunaka and Zuleta. I only see Rakuten as the other team with a chance to sign Piazza, and I doubt it either.
Though the only problem for Molina is the language barrier. It's probably easier for Johjima to adjust to a language barrier than for Molina to do so. Also, I don't see a NPB team offering him the amount of money he wants.
- Tell me that an NPB team wouldn't lay $5 million on Piazza to DH and catch 75 games or so.
The only NPB team that will probably offer Piazza a deal of that amount would be the Softbank Hawks. Though, as I mentioned with Molina above, I also don't see Piazza playing catcher in the NPB, if he were to play also. As for Softbank signing Piazza, I highly doubt it. They have Matsunaka and Zuleta. I only see Rakuten as the other team with a chance to sign Piazza, and I doubt it either.
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Mike Piazza is homeless and the market in MLB for him is pretty dry. He's 37, is a part time catcher, better suited for DH. His defense is pretty bad, but he can still swing a bat. When he DH'ed and was rested, he did well at the plate.
So can he find a home in NPB? He says he enjoyed his exhibitions in Japan. He has plenty of money and his record, so I'm thinking he might try something different for the experience and the money. He speaks no Japanese, but he is a real pro, obedient to authority and has a love for the game. He would fit in well, but I'm not sure there is a place for him in NPB either. But he is the greatest hitting catcher of all time. Comments?