GRAND-SLAM TRADE; PIAZZA, ZEILE BOUND FOR FLORIDA IN SEVEN-PLAYER DEAL.Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer Mike Piazza's days as a Dodger have come to an end. The Dodgers announced late Friday night they have completed a seven-player trade that sends Piazza to Florida. In addition to the catcher, third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Todd Zeile
Gary Antonian Sheffield (born November 18, 1968 in Tampa, Florida) is a Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the Detroit Tigers. and Jim Eisenreich
The deal - which involves $98 million in guaranteed salaries, a record amount for players in one baseball trade - was agreed to by the team Friday morning. But the 29-year-old Sheffield held up the trade because he has a no-trade clause in his six-year, $61million contract, which includes a team option for another year. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a Dodgers spokesman, Sheffield and his agent, Jim Peter, were trying to make the option year guaranteed, bringing the total contract to seven years, $72 million. Sheffield arrived in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. on Friday afternoon to begin negotiations with Dodgers President Bob Graziano Bob Graziano is a former president of the Los Angeles Dodgers of American Major League Baseball. He is currently Managing Director for the Western Region of Northern Trust, an investment management company. , Executive Vice President Fred Claire and Sam Fernandez, executive secretary and general counsel. ``The Dodgers told me it was done - I'm a member of the Marlins now,'' Piazza told the Miami Herald. The blockbuster trade surprisingly did not get started by Claire, the person usually responsible for player transactions. Chase Carey of the Fox Group and Florida Marlins President Donald A. Smiley were actually talking about a television sports deal and ended up speaking about the seven-player trade. ``I'm sorry to see this happen,'' said former Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda, who is Piazza's godfather. ``It is like seeing two people get divorced that you love very, very much.'' Piazza, the Dodgers' five-time All-Star, was batting .282 with nine home runs this season. Last year, he had arguably the best offensive season ever for a catcher and set several career bests, including a .362 average, 40 home runs and 124 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in . The 29-year-old Piazza, who is in the final year of a two-year, $15 million contract, reportedly has been seeking a $100 million deal. After negotiations soured, the Dodgers feared Piazza, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season and can sign with any team - would leave and the team would get nothing in return. GOOD DEAL: Dodgers had to meet Mike Piazza's $15 million-a-year demand, trade him now or lose him to free agency at season's end. Talented team with a 19-21 record needs shake-up. Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and Jim Eisenreich are proven winners and World Series champions. Johnson is great defensively, handles pitchers well. Dodgers are desperate for a clubhouse leader - like Bonilla. BAD DEAL: Fans love future Hall of Famer Piazza Sheffield is an extremely talented player with a suspect attitude. Dodgers added to high payroll with four new players making $9 million more than two traded away. Sheffield plays left field, leaving young prospects Todd Hollandsworth, Matt Luke and Paul Konerko on bench. Oft-injured Bonilla is a short-term third base solution at 35. WHO`S COMING, GOING . . . The Dodgers and Marlins have confirmed a seven-player trade, which includes L.A. getting a player to be named later. Dodgers acquire Bobby Bonilla: Third Base Jim Eisenreich: Outfield Charles Johnson: Catcher Gary Sheffield: Outfield Marlins acquire Mike Piazza: Catcher Todd Zeile: Third Base CAPTION(S): 6 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--Color) Bobby Bonilla: Third Base (2--Color) Jim Eisenreich: Outfield (3--Color) Charles Johnson: Catcher (4--Color) Gary Sheffield: Outfield (5--Color) Mike Piazza: Catcher (6--Color) Todd Zeile: Third Base BOX: WHO`S COMING, GOING . . . (see text) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion