I think it, the reporters print it.

In the last post, I mentioned in closing that Piazza would be a far more attractive option as a backup catcher and now there are conflicting reports that the Yankees might indeed be interested. Newsday reports:

The Yankees have some interest in Piazza and will consider whether to offer the Cooperstown-bound catcher a contract, American League sources told Newsday yesterday.

Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, has called Yankees general manager Brian Cashman regarding the free agent's interest in playing for the Yankees, and Cashman did not dismiss the offer. On the contrary, it is expected that the Yankees soon will consider the merits of signing Piazza - primarily as a designated hitter - if they haven't already.

Reached yesterday by phone, Cashman, back from a rare Caribbean vacation, indicated that organizational higher-ups hadn't yet weighed the pros and cons of the Piazza possibility. But he didn't close the door at all.

"We're fairly set. Our designated hitter spot is taken by Bernie Williams and Andy Phillips. But I'll keep an open mind," Cashman said. "I'm always open to consider any possibility that may help the ballclub."


However, the Daily News paints a far less encouraging picture of the possibilities.

Mike Piazza remains one of the marquee free agents still on the market, and yesterday, according to baseball sources, his agents contacted the Yankees about moving across town as a designated hitter and backup catcher. The Yankees' response was that there was no room at the inn. According to sources, Piazza, who hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBI with the Mets last year, has minimal offers from the Padres, Phillies and Indians to play a reserve role, but none of them are anywhere near his believed asking price of $7 million-$8 million a year. It is the Yankees' feeling that Piazza could not offer as much in a DH capacity as what they expect to get out of Bernie Williams and they are satisfied with Kelly Stinnett as their backup catcher.

First of all, if Piazza's asking price is that much, then I don't believe that there is any chance of this deal being done. At that price, in keeping with one of the Yankees' stated goals of getting cheaper, they are better off with Stinnett. Of course, if Piazza were to decide that he wants to stick around in NY and play for (a lot) less, then there is no reason for Cashman not to do the deal. According to defensive metrics, historically Stinnett is just as bad a defensive catcher than Piazza. That's right = JUST AS BAD AS PIAZZA. Based on Piazza's press, I didn't think that was possible! Still, this takes out any reason why Stinnett would be favored over Piazza for the secondary catcher role. It's not like Piazza can't outhit Stinnett or Bernie. Unless Bernie found the fountain of youth this off-season and somehow regressed back to his 2003-2004 form (which was still a huge dropoff from previous years), Yankees brass is living in a dreamworld if they think that Bernie will outproduce Piazza.

Unfortunately, I don't see this happening. Piazza will ask for too much money and the Yankees will continue to think that they are all right with Bernie taking at-bats in the DH role. (Update: Steve L. puts together a little statistical analysis of why Piazza would be a bad idea - I don't agree but he does make good points). Of course, Andy Phillips is the unknown commodity here and if Torre gives him the opportunity (which I hope that he does), I think that he would outproduce both. Oh well, one can dream.