Breaking News: Piazza Calls it a Career

Mike Piazza announced this afternoon that he has officially called it a day in Major League baseball. The 16-yr veteran hoped to play this season, but found no takers. The 12-time All-Star finishes with a .308 career average, 427 home runs, including the record for catchers, and 1,335 RBI.

Piazza made the post-season twice with the Dodgers and 3 times with the Mets, including the 2000 World Series, where he was final out in the Yankees clinching Game 5. Piazza was poor at throwing out base runners, but had a reputation as a good game caller and boy could he hit before injuries wore him down. He's sure to be a first ballot Hall of Fame entrant.

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Yankees vs. Rays - April 15

The finale of this quick two game series has Andy Pettitte facing Edwin Jackson at "The Trop". Jackson has been phenomenal this season, going 2-0, 0.64. He beat Pettitte and the Yankees back on April 5th, 6-3. Jackson allowed a run on 5 hits in 6 innings. He blanked the Mariners on 2 hits over 8 innings his last time out.

Pettitte bounced back from that loss to the Rays with a very effective performance against the Royals in Kansas City on April 10. Pettitte allowed 1 run on 5 hits in 6.2 innings to earn his first win of the year.

Alex Rodriguez's RBI double was the only run producer off of Jackson in the Yankees previous meeting with the right-hander. The Yankees will be glad to have Derek Jeter back in the lineup since he's 4-11 with a home run and 3 RBI against the Neu-ulm, Germany born right-hander. On the flip side, Bobby Abreu is hittless in 11 at-bats.

Jonny Gomes had the big blow against Pettitte in the early April meeting, a 3-run shot that broke it open for the Rays. Despite being a lefty, Pettitte has had trouble with Carlos Pena, who is 7-18 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI. But Pettitte has eaten up Aki Iwamura to the tune of 2-14.

The Yankees made room on their 40-man roster for Chad Moeller yesterday by moving pitcher Humberto Sanchez from the 15-day DL to the 60-day list.

Alex Rodriguez said he and his wife Cynthia will be deciding within the next day or so if she should have labor induced. The A-Rods would prefer to have the baby while Rodriguez is in Tampa, but of course that ends this evening.

Mark Healy of Gotham Baseball Magazine had started a rumor that the Yankees are considering bringing in Mike Piazza. According to a "insider", Brian Cashman and the front office are discussing whether or not its a good idea. We give it 10 thumbs down.

We'll post lineups when we steal get them.

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Around the Horn - 2/26

Bartolo Colon tried on his new Red Sox duds and took the mound today. His freshly signed contract will earn him $7 million if Colon makes the team out of spring training and takes the hill for 30 starts. The most amazing thing about all this is how out of shape Colon looks. You'd think a guy coming back from an arm injury and trying to get a contract would get into better shape. This dude is a serious candidate for a mansierre or bro.

The Giants will be without Omar Vizquel for 4-5 week due to surgery on his sore left knee.

Brett Boone says alcohol was one of the contributing factors in stepping away from the game 2 yeas ago. It got the to the point where Boonie was having 12-15 beers after each game.

The Rays have to be sweating right now after Scott Kazmir complained about elbow pain. Kazmir, who said it felt like a hyperextension, will go for an MRI.

The San Fran Chronicle reports that former Met Mike Piazza may hang up the cleats if he doesn't find work before the end of spring training.

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Monday Hot Stove

We Yankees fans are feeling better about 2008 with Andy Pettitte back in the fold, so lets see what's going on out there with other teams.

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Paul Lo Duca was being interviewed on one of the local sports reports (we forget which) last night. He says there are 6 or 7 teams interested in. He also went on to say, in not so many words, that he can't wait to stick it to the Mets next season.

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Looks like reliever Ron Mahay, a one year wonder (happens a lot in Atlanta - see Jaret Wright) last season, will not likely be back with the Braves. Mahay's contract demands have gone past the point that the Braves are comfortable with. Source

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Though there have been talks between the Indians and Pirates concerning Jason Bay, it's not likely Bay will be dealt. Xavier Nagy is another Pirates outfielder that is on the market, and there is speculation that the Bucs will non-tender him if they can't deal him. Source

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The Cubbies, looking to strengthen their outfield hitting, have targeted the M's Raul Ibanez. Ibanez has average 24 HRs and 106 RBI the past 3 seasons in a pitcher's ball park. He's set to become a free agent after the 2008 season. Source

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The Mariners have reportedly made a 4-year, $44 million offer to Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. If true, it tops the Dbacks, 3-year, $27 million offer. Source

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The Dodgers are looking to strengthen centerfield and may look to Mike Cameron over high priced free agents Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand. Source

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With the Marlins high demands, the Angels have reportedly turn their attention back to Miguel Tejada. The Orioles are said to want Jered Weaver and Brandon Wood in return. Source

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Padres are considering bringing back Mike Piazza. Piazza would be a complete idiot to return to the NL or delusional that he can still catch a number of games. The Pads are better off talking to the Mets about Johnny Estrada.

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