Piazza & Co. - Opponents Runnin' Wild

[Max Power]

Saw this AM that Mike Piazza is two for forty-three - yes, 2 for 43, in throwing out baserunners this year, so far.

That's less than 5% - in a stat where 35% is average and anything less than 20% is considered real bad, normally.

For the record, last year, Piazza was at 16%.

Granted, it's not all on the backstop - - but, that's a reason to justify a mark around 20% - - not one that explains FIVE PERCENT.

Yesterday, Cliff Floyd was quoted as saying something like "We felt good in the game, every time someone reached, we knew they would be in scoring position within a couple of pitches."

Now, we all know Piazza can stick; but, is there a point where 5% becomes too much of a liability to play him behind the plate?

[poorme]

That point is when opposing managers figure it out and start running every time a man reaches first. Maybe in another five years or so. Opponents should have a higher rate of advancement on a steal than a sac bunt! Shh, don't tell Baylor.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by poorme
That point is when opposing managers figure it out and start running every time a man reaches first.

That's what the Marlins did yesterday - - I think they swiped 7 bases - 4 in one inning - if I remember right.

[SmedIndy]

How is Vance Wilson on throwing out runners. Some of it may be the pitchers.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
How is Vance Wilson on throwing out runners. Some of it may be the pitchers.

He's nailed 8 out of 19 so far this year. That's a nice mark to have.

[sweaver]

Piazza may be moving to 1B soon whether he want to or not....

[Craig S.]

I've thought that Piazza should have been moved out from behind the plate a few years ago. Five percent is abysmal. Not only does it hurt your team, but it certainly can't be doing wonders for Piazza's confidence, either.

Piazza not only has a below-average arm, but he's slow to get out of his crouch and into throwing position. Moving him to first would allow the Mets to stress at least some level of defense at the catching position, and it would also help Piazza. His body would take less of a beating playing first, allowing him to play longer, and it will take the stress from catching off his mind.

[LeGrandOrange]

He's going to be playing in the American League VERY SHORTLY at this rate...I see him being Ted Simmons in the future...although if he's playing 3B, something is seriously wrong.
And it's 4 for 43, not 2. 9.3% still sucks.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by sweaver
Piazza may be moving to 1B soon whether he want to or not....

If the Mets are tuned into this, they should offer him to an AL team where he can DH most of the time and catch twice a week. In exchange, they should try and get an OF and another C. Just an example - - Piazza returns to So. Cal., say, with Jay Payton, to the Angels for Molina and Erstad.

Disney won't do that one, because of the salary.

Maybe Toronto for Fletcher and Jose Cruz? Again, the money is an issue.

There's not that many AL teams who need a DH who would be willing to pay Piazza's salary for it.

Maybe the Mets DO just have to bite the bullet on Mo Vaughn and move Piazza to 1B?

[Max Power]

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
And it's 4 for 43, not 2. 9.3% still sucks.

My local paper, and I think ESPN, had 2, not 4. I think it's "throwing" which is the difference? Maybe he got the other "two" because they over-slid the bag or were caught in a run-down or something?

[Craig S.]

Originally posted by Max Power
Maybe Toronto for Fletcher and Jose Cruz

I think I once had a dream about such a trade being made. I'd especially like that if the Mets threw in 4 starters to go with Roy Halladay in the Jays' rotation.

[moose]

mo is WAY too productive to move piazza to first.

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by Max Power


He's nailed 8 out of 19 so far this year. That's a nice mark to have.

Well, that answers THAT question.

The running game isn't that important, but you need to put up a token resistance....

[Duque]

Originally posted by moose
mo is WAY too productive to move piazza to first.

Either trademark moose sarcasm, or moose ventured too far into the Bizarro universe.

I wonder, though, if Big Mo might make a better gloveman than Piazza. Sure, Mo might take one or two steps off the bag now and then, but I am not imagining Piazza as being that agile.

[Max Power]

If I'm not mistaken, Piazza was a 1B in college and the Dodgers converted him.