Piazza Arrives While Deadline Comes and Goes

All-star catcher Mike Piazza arrived at Dodgertown on Sunday, but the day didn’t bring what he hoped.

As expected, the Dodgers failed to meet Piazza’s self-imposed Sunday deadline to agree on a multiyear contract extension. Moreover, discussions haven’t started between the team and Piazza’s agent.

Piazza said previously he wouldn’t negotiate with the team after the deadline.

“We maintained all along that this was not a threat by any means, but I’d have to say I’m a little disappointed about this,” said Piazza, who reaffirmed that he won’t discuss the situation anymore.

“Now, I just have to go out and play baseball. As far as my state of mind goes, I’m fine and I’ve got a job to do.”

Piazza is in the final year of a two-year, $15-million contract that pays him $8 million this season. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season Holding to form, Executive Vice President Fred Claire commented cautiously on the passing of Piazza’s deadline, saying the Dodgers remain “committed to signing Mike Piazza.”

Piazza issued his deadline in October, saying he didn’t want his situation to become a distraction during the season. But considering Piazza’s potential impact in the free-agent market, isn’t the missed deadline an even bigger distraction?

“No, because to me it’s a moot point,” Piazza said. “The deadline has passed so it’s a fair thing for me to comment on now. But I feel it’s unfair to my teammates to keep talking about it, so I won’t.

“The fans of Los Angeles have been great to me, and I’d definitely like to stay here, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. This is out of my hands now, and you can never say never.”

The Dodgers couldn’t make an offer to Piazza because of the politics involved in the proposed sale of the team to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Group, baseball sources said. In the unlikely event that major league baseball denies the Fox Group’s ownership proposal, it’s doubtful that outgoing owner Peter O’Malley would commit to signing Piazza before another buyer is approved.

But if the sale is approved at the March 17-19 meetings in St. Petersburg, Fla., don’t be surprised if Fox makes Piazza an offer soon after.