Piazza Gives Dodgers a Deadline

Add this near the top of the Dodgers’ growing list of off-season concerns: They must sign all-star catcher Mike Piazza to a contract extension before Feb. 15 or risk losing him in free agency after next season, his agent told The Times on Wednesday.

Piazza, who signed a two-year, $15-million contract in January, hopes to receive a long-term deal to remain a Dodger. But Piazza won’t negotiate with the Dodgers after his self-imposed deadline, said Dan Lozano of the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

And though Lozano wouldn’t provide specifics about the deal Piazza is seeking, sources close to Piazza said the Dodgers may have to make him the game’s highest-paid player.

“I want to stress that this isn’t a threat, but our approach is going to be that something absolutely has to be done before Feb. 15,” Lozano said. “We would like Mike to go into next season with a clear mind, so that he can concentrate on having another great year.

“If we don’t get something done by Feb. 15, Mike will play out the year and test the free-agent market. We’re both definitely on the same page about this.”

Piazza and Lozano decided on the Feb. 15 deadline because pitchers and catchers usually report to spring training shortly thereafter. Piazza, 29, is believed to be seeking a seven- or eight-year contract that will pay him an average of $13 million to $15 million annually.

Atlanta Brave pitcher Greg Maddux is the game’s highest-paid player. In August, the four-time Cy Young Award winner signed a five-year, $57.5-million deal, an average of $11.5 million.

With his current contract, which will pay him $8 million next season, Piazza became the highest-paid player in Dodger history, and he also earned more than any catcher. Piazza had sought a lengthy deal last season, and he agreed to terms only after filing for a record one-year, $7.65-million contract in arbitration.

The former 62nd-round draft pick has hit more home runs and driven in more runs than any catcher in his first five seasons.

“We’re going to be looking for fair-market value,” Lozano said. “But something that’s extremely important to us is the length of the contract. This contract will be for the bulk of Mike’s career.

“If Mike signs with the Dodgers, we want him to finish his career with the Dodgers. If he doesn’t, we want Mike to finish his career with whoever he does sign with.”

Piazza is coming off his best season. His .362 batting average is the highest in Dodger history since Lefty O’Doul hit .368 in 1932. Piazza broke his own Los Angeles Dodger record by hitting 40 home runs, and his 120 runs batted in are the second-highest total since the franchise moved here.

Piazza has worked hard to improve his defense. In addition, Lozano said Piazza’s popularity in the Southland and nationally has helped the Dodgers.

“Mike brings something to the table that a lot of other players don’t,” Lozano said of Piazza, who is leaving Saturday for a weeklong promotional tour in Japan.

“Mike is extremely marketable, and there are only a few players as marketable as Mike. He should be compensated for that.”

Dodger Executive Vice President Fred Claire declined comment on the team’s plans for Piazza.

“Mike is signed for next year,” Claire said. “Mike is an extremely important player for the Dodgers, and we’ll certainly have discussions at some point.”

However, sources said a high-ranking Dodger official had previously assured Piazza that the team would speak with his representatives about a new deal during the off-season.

The sale of the team to Rupert Murdoch could complicate the Dodgers’ off-season dealings.

Owners are expected to vote on the sale in January, but what happens if the process becomes stalled? The Dodgers also must resolve other pressing issues, including who will play shortstop and the outfield along with right fielder Raul Mondesi.

Claire said the Dodger payroll will be slightly more than $40 million, the same as last season. The question is, will that be enough to offer Piazza the extension he wants and upgrade the team in other areas?

“We obviously have a lot to do and a lot of decisions to make,” Claire said. “But we have a framework in place and we’ll proceed from there.”

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Money Men

Top average salaries per season in baseball:

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Player, Club Years Salary Greg Maddux, Atl 1998-02 $11,500,000 Barry Bonds, SF 1999-00 $11,450,000 Albert Belle, CWS 1997-01 $11,000,000 Sammy Sosa, Cubs 1998-01 $10,625,000 Gary Sheffield, Fla 1998-03 $10,166,667 Mark McGwire, StL 1998-00 $9,500,000 Ken Griffey Jr., Sea 1997-00 $8,500,000 Tom Glavine, Atl 1998-01 $8,500,000 Ivan Rodriguez, Tex 1998-02 $8,400,000 Roger Clemens, Tor 1997-99 $8,250,000 Frank Thomas, CWS 1998-01 $7,981,250 John Smoltz, Atl 1997-00 $7,750,000 Mike Piazza, Dodgers 1997-98 $7,500,000

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