CLAIRE DOESN'T FORESEE PROBLEMS.Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Deputy Sports Editor Noun 1. sports editor - the newspaper editor responsible for sports news newspaper editor - the editor of a newspaper Upcoming contract negotiations between the Dodgers, Mike Piazza Michael Joseph Piazza (born September 4, 1968 in Norristown, Pennsylvania) is an American Major League Baseball player who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. He began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played for the Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Eric Karros Piazza, the club's record-setting catcher, is eligible for salary arbitration, but the Dodgers are hoping to sign him to a multi-year deal. Piazza, who cannot become a free agent until after the 1998 season, is seeking a five-year deal worth around $50 million. Karros and pitcher Pedro Astacio Pedro Julio Astacio (born November 28, 1969 in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1992- part of 1997), Colorado Rockies (part of 1997- part of 2001), Houston Astros (part of 2001), New York Mets also are eligible for arbitration and can be free agents after this season. Dan Lozano, Piazza's agent, said there is a chance his client would seek a one-year deal and wait to see who the new owners will be before committing to a longer contract. ``There are two ways to look at it and the whole thing could change drastically,'' Lozano said. ``Maybe Mike doesn't want to sign long term because of not knowing who the new ownership will be. We don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. where the commitment to winning lies. But on the other side, I've got to believe it would be very appealing for the new owners to have him locked up.'' Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire Fred Claire (b. October 5, 1935 in Jamestown, OH) is a former major league baseball executive who served in numerous roles for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1969-1998 including the role of general manager from 1987-1998. said both sides could begin negotiating by the end of the week. Claire added he doesn't expect any complications because of the pending sale. ``Peter and I spoke about this last week, about players eligible for arbitration,'' Claire said. ``He said, `Proceed as you normally would.' We're talking contracts in a lot of different areas even beyond player contracts. You can't stop business that is ongoing. Whoever buys the ballclub buys it with knowing the decisions that have been made are part of the franchise.'' ``(Piazza's) contract has not been determined,'' Claire added. ``He is not a free agent for two more seasons. I don't want to get into too much detail but that is something that we will be talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to the agent about in the upcoming days.'' Notes: Lozano refused to comment on whether Piazza's father Vince might be a candidate to buy the club. Several years ago, Vince Piazza was part of a group attempting to buy the San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California that currently play in the National League West Division. New York Giants history Early days and the John McGraw era when they were looking to move to St. Petersburg, Fla. . . . Brett Butler, still considering retirement despite his recent contract agreement, said Monday that he has made arrangements with the Dodgers to report to spring training on Feb. 14. He said that while he was strongly considering quitting three weeks ago, he is leaning toward returning for another season. ``I'm still toiling over this,'' said Butler, who on Monday returned from a vacation in Hawaii. ``Mentally I want to play. Physically I don't know if I can. It's not an absolute. It really isn't.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: MIKE PIAZZA: The Dodgers hope to sign the catcher to a multi-year deal. |
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