Piazza to First?

[ChicagoDave]

Is it about time for Piazza to make the switch? Why?

[TimmyB]

If it's time for anything for Mikey it's time to switch to the AL where they have a DH.

By most accounts most feel he is not suited for the infield either -- and if the Mets do want to try this experiment, they're going to want to give him the benefit of a long winter and spring training with some Gold Glove caliber tutelage.

[ChicagoDave]

I think it is time for him to move to first, but I think they should do it over the off season. Send him to winter ball.

Unlike TimmyB, I don't like the idea of making him a DH.

The DH needs to be banned from baseball, but that is a topic that has been covered before.

[rcartman28]

Why not ?? It's hard to imagine him playing the position much, if any, worse than Mo did. Obviously, in switching him in mid-season, he probably won't look good playing it this year, but if it starts saving his legs now, then the Mets have nothing to lose by trying it now.

[SmedIndy]

Yes - they should have done that before they decided the need to sign Mohandas....who now can go to the Bada-Bing on rehab.

[TimmyB]

Originally posted by ChicagoDave
I think it is time for him to move to first, but I think they should do it over the off season. Send him to winter ball.

Unlike TimmyB, I don't like the idea of making him a DH.

The DH needs to be banned from baseball, but that is a topic that has been covered before.

Skidding off topic for just a moment:
Please allow me to state, for the record, that my support of making Piazza a DH in no way should be taken as support for the dastardly DH rule.

Skidding back on topic:
I read the question as "Is it about time" as in May 9, 2003. If ChicagoDave meant more of a "Is it about time" as in this general point in his career... well... then, barring him going to the AL as a DH (where it's still best to hide great hitting, lousy fielding players), then, yes, in the off-season have him spend every waking hour with Keith Hernandez.

[nyyfanfrombirth]

Originally posted by TimmyB
If it's time for anything for Mikey it's time to switch to the AL where they have a DH.

By most accounts most feel he is not suited for the infield either -- and if the Mets do want to try this experiment, they're going to want to give him the benefit of a long winter and spring training with some Gold Glove caliber tutelage.

Totally agree.

[ChicagoDave]

Originally posted by TimmyB
...as in this general point in his career... well... then, yes, in the off-season have him spend every waking hour with Keith Hernandez.

Yes that is what I meant to ask.

[JamesI]

He should move to first 3-4 times a week and catch the rest. During interleague DH him, and try to trade him to the AL so he can DH 3-4 times a week.

[poorme]

he should have been made a 1B about 5 years ago.

[Wolf Hopper]

All - please - note the Posting Protocols For A Particular Forum - -it's the first thread in each forum - - threads on a specific player should be in Active Player News, Analysis, & Commentary - - hence the move of this thread from Hot Baseball Chatter

[KCBOOMER]

Piazza has been a DH for years (you really don't call what he has been doing "catching" do you).

Get him out from behind the plate.

[satchel]

Originally posted by ChicagoDave
Is it about time for Piazza to make the switch? Why?

No, it's not about time - it's long overdue. He's a great hitter, a poor backstop, and he takes such a beating back there it's not even funny. He's probably already shaved three or four top-notch years off the end of his career.

[ChicagoDave]

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
All - please - note the Posting Protocols For A Particular Forum - -it's the first thread in each forum - - threads on a specific player should be in Active Player News, Analysis, & Commentary - - hence the move of this thread from Hot Baseball Chatter

My apologies!

[sweaver]

Catchers past 30, if most of their value is as hitters, should almost invariably be shifted out from behind the plate. I don't know if it's past time for Piazza, but it is time. And right now, with the Mets struggling, would actually be a good time.

[gyb13]

well, you have to sell the idea to him first, and he considers himself a catcher (see 1st thread below). so you start easing him in....as jamesI said, move him to first for a few games, let him catch for a few games... till he eventually gets used to being a full-time 1B/DH.

previous discussions of piazza moving, for reference:
http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2853
http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4038
http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5868

[JamesI]

Part of my reason to ease him in, is I believe Piazza really wants to set the career homer record for catchers. He might be more willing to move if he still had the chance to set the homer record.

[ChicagoDave]

CAREER
C

HOMERUNS HR
1 Carlton Fisk 366
2 Johnny Bench 356
3 Mike Piazza 350


He is only 16 away from setting that record.

[TimmyB]

Mets talk to catcher about playing first base (http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0508/1551158.html)

Looks like it's close to happening...

After years of speculation, the New York Mets talked with All-Star catcher Mike Piazza on Thursday about beginning the process of learning to play first base.
...
"I thought it went very well," Piazza said. "Art and Steve were very candid and we all got on the same page. I told them I would do whatever needs to be done to help this organization."

[pathogan]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
Yes - they should have done that before they decided the need to sign Mohandas....who now can go to the Bada-Bing on rehab. :loud: :loud:

[pathogan]

trade him to an AL club while he still has some value. His value as a first baseman is not nearly what it is as a catcher, which is obvious and redundant but I had to say it out loud.And, since his footwork is awful and he has bad hands, why on earth do they think he CAN play first base?

[satchel]

Originally posted by pathogan
trade him to an AL club while he still has some value. His value as a first baseman is not nearly what it is as a catcher, which is obvious and redundant but I had to say it out loud.And, since his footwork is awful and he has bad hands, why on earth do they think he CAN play first base?

That must be tough for a Mets fan to say about such a great hitter. I'm sorry pat, I feel for you here. :(

[BBapplepie]

Yeah, lets trade him to the AL, maybe we can get a All-Star
2nd baseman in return.

[b-ball-lunachik]

It was about this time last year when I called this guy selfish in this thread:

http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/showthread.php?s=&postid=57230&highlight=selfish#post57230

I still think he's selfish and I'm glad he's not being touted as such a media darling anymore in NY...If I was a Met fan I'd be livid that they had to sign Mo in the first place...that money could have been spent on pitching...I think this guy cares much more about his own stats, and less about winning...and he is afraid he'll make a fool out of himself -- what he doesn't realize is, he kind of does that already behind the plate...

[JamesI]

The trade rumors (I don't remember the source so these could be bogus) indicates Baltimore is the main team wanting Piazza (why?).

I doubt the two can work something out...

[clemente21]

As Pat said earlier, I can't see Piazza being an acceptable first baseman. And I'm setting the bar for "acceptable" at Frank Thomas...

[ChicagoDave]

Frank Thomas is hardly an acceptible First Baseman. CWS were talking about making him a DH in his first full year with them. That tells you a lot about his defense.

I might be the only one to think that MP could be a average first basemen, but not nearly in the bad category of Frank Thomas.

[pathogan]

Originally posted by ChicagoDave
Frank Thomas is hardly an acceptible First Baseman. CWS were talking about making him a DH in his first full year with them. That tells you a lot about his defense.

I might be the only one to think that MP could be a average first basemen, but not nearly in the bad category of Frank Thomas.

I would put him at average,which is above Thomas and above {can't move any }Mo,still...

[Luis]

It's much easier to get a first basemen who can hit then a replacement catcher. Piazza isn't hurting the Mets enough with his defense to switch him now.

[satchel]

Originally posted by Luis
It's much easier to get a first basemen who can hit then a replacement catcher. Piazza isn't hurting the Mets enough with his defense to switch him now.

That's true; but he is arguably hurting himself, by shortening his career. It's not clear how much the Mets care about that though.

[spitball]

Originally posted by Luis
It's much easier to get a first basemen who can hit then a replacement catcher. Piazza isn't hurting the Mets enough with his defense to switch him now.
Um, didn't the Brewers steal like 7 bases off of him this season?
That hurts.