With End of Money Talks, Piazza Might Walk

So, New York Met General Manager Steve Phillips announces that there will be no more contract talks with Mike Piazza until the season ends.

Translation: There have been no contract talks, period.

This is simply Phillips’ attempt to deflect some of the pressure on Piazza and stem the daily speculation in the voracious tabloids regarding the catcher’s contract situation.

At some point during the 15-day post-World Series window in which the Mets will have exclusive bargaining rights to the potential free agent, they are likely to make an offer.

Similar to the Dodgers’ six-year, $79-million proposal that Piazza rejected? Very doubtful. Will Piazza return to New York? Highly unlikely. Can he duplicate that Dodger offer as a free agent? A four- to five-year package in the range of $40 million to $50 million seems more realistic. Where will he get it?

There is no short-money favorite.

Here is a morning line:

1. Baltimore Orioles, 4-1; 2. Chicago Cubs, 5-1; 3. Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, all 6-1; 6. Dodgers, 8-1; 7. Angels, 10-1; 8. Philadelphia Phillies, 12-1.

CECIL’S COMPLAINT

A variety of things led to the Angels’ decision to designate Cecil Fielder for assignment, all undoubtedly more important than Fielder’s recent complaint to Manager Terry Collins about the lack of protection he was receiving in the batting order. But make no mistake, Collins was definitely angered by it, thinking it a weak alibi by a veteran player with a reputation as a clubhouse leader and productive hitter.

Nevertheless, Collins tried to placate Fielder, bumping Garret Anderson, in the early stages of a 28-game hitting streak, down in the lineup and moving Tim Salmon behind Fielder, who showed no improvement. Yes, Fielder was tied for the club lead in runs batted in when he was designated for assignment, but the Angels felt he should have had more like 88 RBIs than 68. He was batting .241 overall and .244 with runners in scoring position. He had 12 homers, three since July 1. Of his 68 RBIs, 44 had been produced in 20 games. He had failed to drive in a run in 63 of his starts.

Figured into the decision were Salmon’s foot injury, which resulted in his use as a designated hitter; third baseman Troy Glaus’ recall from the minors, and the move of Dave Hollins to first base. The lumbering Fielder was left with no role, particularly with Todd Greene returning and better suited to coming off the bench.

So departed the man whose $2.8-million signing typified the inexpensive route the Angels have taken under Disney and the club’s historic pattern of trying to resuscitate players in the twilight of their careers.

Last year, Anaheim started with a washed-up Eddie Murray at designated hitter after Chili Davis was traded for an over-the-hill Mark Gubicza. The Angels ultimately used 16 players as the designated hitter, failed to match Davis’ previous production and finished six games behind the Seattle Mariners in the division race.

Now Fielder, 34, is gone, and the Angels’ trade forays have brought Charlie O’Brien, a 37-year-old catcher who may be on the disabled list two or three more weeks, and Jeff Juden, a 27-year-old pitcher who is joining his seventh organization and had lost 10 of his last 12 decisions with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Oh, well, they only owe Juden about $150,000 over the rest of the year, and that is what seems to be important.

PAYING THE PRICE

The San Diego Padres, who did it last winter with the acquisition of Kevin Brown, did it again Thursday with the acquisition of relief pitcher Randy Myers, who fills a three-year void in providing a left-handed complement to Trevor Hoffman.

“Trev is still the closer, but this gives [Manager Bruce Bochy] a lot more flexibility,” General Manager Kevin Towers said.

“We saw how it worked for San Francisco last year after they acquired [right-hander] Roberto Hernandez [to go with Rod Beck].”

Hoffman and Myers have 75 saves between them.

Towers said he talked to both pitchers before completing the deal and got their approval. Myers saluted Hoffman’s emergence as baseball’s best closer and told Towers he would be happy to serve as set-up man.

Whether that holds in the next two seasons, when Myers, 36, is owed $6 million a year, or whether the Padres, who face major economic decisions with potential free agents Ken Caminiti, Steve Finley, Wally Joyner and Brown, will be able to trade him, remains to be seen.

“Right now we’re only looking at what we need to do to win this year,” said Towers, who would like to beat the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the National League. If they do and the current standings hold, they will avoid a first-round playoff duel with Randy Johnson and the Houston Astros and face the wild-card Chicago Cubs instead.

The Braves had their eye on Myers, but the Padres, claiming one position ahead of them, closed that door. Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz wouldn’t say whether he had put in a claim.

The Braves are still hoping that Mark Wohlers can find a groove and that Kerry Ligtenberg and a young bullpen can continue to close games.

“Based on effectiveness, success, productivity and reliability, our guys have done a great job,” Schuerholz said.

“Based on relative age and postseason experience, some people may have concerns, but we don’t. We’re not sitting here, gnashing our teeth. At the same time, if we can do something to solidify or improve our bullpen, we will. We have shown in the past we’re not hesitant to take that step.”

The Padres took a big one, financially and otherwise.

How it plays out will bear watching.