DODGERS' RICH OFFER FALLS SHORT; PIAZZA SEEKS LONGER DEAL THAN CLUB HAS IN MIND.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

The Dodgers have offered Mike Piazza the richest per-season contract in baseball history, but it does not contain enough years and dollars to complete the deal.

The club, which began negotiations one week after the sale to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., made a six-year offer in excess of $75 million during discussions last Friday with Piazza's agent Dan Lozano.

``I would not characterize these negotiations as productive,'' Lozano said Wednesday night. ``I almost feel the Dodgers are going through the formalities of keeping Mike in Dodger Blue.''

Piazza, 29, is seeking a seven-year, $105 million contract from the Dodgers, an average of $15 million per season. He is eligible for free agency at the end of the year.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Pedro Martinez signed a six-year, $75 million contract in November that is worth $12.5 million per season. Florida's Gary Sheffield has the second-largest overall contract, a six-year deal worth $61 million, but its annual value of $10.166 million is less than Atlanta right-hander Greg Maddux ($11.5 million) and San Francisco's Barry Bonds ($11.4 million) are receiving.

``We have had several very candid and productive discussions with Mike's agent, since the day that the sale of the club was approved,'' Dodgers counsel Sam Fernandez said Wednesday in a statement. ``Unfortunately to date, we have not been able to bridge the wide gap that exists between our respective positions, primarily because at this point in the negotiations there is no good way for either side to accurately assess the level of compensation that a player of Mike's caliber can command in today's market.

``However, we remain committed to signing Mike and will continue to work toward that end.''

Piazza is upset with comments made 10 days ago by club president Bob Graziano on the day the Dodgers sale to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. was approved by major-league owners. Graziano said he did not see the need to reach an agreement with Piazza before Opening Day.

``We recognize that the Dodgers don't get sold every day,'' Piazza said. ``But I think we have been very patient in our position.''

Piazza said Wednesday that the stalled negotiations will not become a clubhouse distraction.

``Once we're on the field it will be all business,'' Piazza said after Wednesday's off-day workout at Busch Stadium. ``I would not allow that to happen.''

Before the beginning of the 1997 season, Piazza agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract that made him the highest-paid player in Dodgers history but did not eliminate a lucrative year of free agency.

Piazza initially wanted a longer deal, but he didn't mind since it kept intact his ability to talk to other clubs after the contract expired after the 1998 season.

Plus, in the first season, Piazza had the best year of his career, batting .362 with 40 homers and 124 RBI. Now, the short-term nature of the contract suits Piazza but guaranteed a showdown with the Dodgers this spring.

``They have treated me very well in the past,'' Piazza said. ``But when things stall and you hear Mr. Graziano say that getting it done is not really a top priority, you start to wonder. It makes you start to think about maybe going somewhere else.''

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PHOTO Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza is reportedly upset that negotiations have dragged into the regular season.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press