DH Role May Be in Piazza Future

Mike Piazza intends to inform the New York Mets that he would welcome a trade to an American League club, a source familiar with the situation told Newsday.

The 35-year-old catcher has been unhappy with the Mets’ direction, the source said, and particularly displeased with the idea of becoming a first baseman. The former Dodger would prefer a situation where he could catch a few days a week and start at designated hitter the other days, and would be willing to waive his no-trade privilege for the right deal.

Piazza’s agent, Dan Lozano, didn’t return a call for comment.

The nine-time All-Star is due $15 million each of the next two years, and $3.5 million of his $7.5-million signing bonus was deferred.

Piazza sat out nearly three months of the 2003 season because of a severely strained groin muscle -- and hit only 11 homers.

Piazza has told friends he would like to play for the Orioles, who have a hole at catcher, short fences at Camden Yards and a likable first-year manager in Lee Mazzilli. But many expect Baltimore to go into the free-agent market and sign Ivan Rodriguez or Javy Lopez.

The Mets would probably have to pay some of Piazza’s salary or take a highly paid player in return. Piazza is still their most popular player, and the Mets have said they like the idea of having him around as a catcher-first baseman. Piazza needs four homers as a catcher to tie Carlton Fisk’s record of 351 at the position.

And if Piazza is considering a return to Southern California, the Angels appear an unlikely destination. They are set at catcher, with two-time Gold Glover Bengie Molina signed for next season at $1.9 million, and top prospect Jeff Mathis behind him. They plan to use Tim Salmon at designated hitter.

Even if Piazza would play first base, the Angels would prefer to spend their premium dollars on a starting pitcher or outfielder, so the Mets probably would have to take a large contract in return, perhaps that of pitcher Aaron Sele (one year at $8.5 million) or center fielder Darin Erstad (three years at $24 million). The Mets are looking for help at both positions.

Ace Jarrod Washburn, who could make more than $6 million in arbitration and could leave as a free agent after the 2005 season, could be available too. The Angels would be hesitant to trade him before they acquired another starter, from the Mets or in free agency.

If the Mets wanted cheap, young players in return, they would need to pay some of Piazza’s contract.

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Arizona ace Curt Schilling confirmed to the Associated Press that he had agreed to the Diamondbacks’ request that he speak to the New York Yankees about a possible trade.

Schilling said that while he also has indicated a willingness to speak to his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, that did not mean those were the only two teams he would consider.

“They were just the only places that have been mentioned,� Schilling said. “Don’t take it for anything more than that.�

Schilling will earn $12 million, plus $2 million in relatively reachable incentives, in the final year of his contract next season and has a no-trade clause.

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Mel Stottlemyre is coming back to the Yankees next season, and so is Darryl Strawberry.

Stottlemyre told the team Thursday that he decided to stay on as pitching coach for the ninth season.

Strawberry, an eight-time All-Star who has overcome a drug addiction, prison and cancer, was hired as a player development instructor. He will work with the major league team during spring training and with minor leaguers the rest of the year.

“I am pleased that Darryl has shown the strength and the determination to come back and re-establish a decent and productive life for himself and his family,� Yankee owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. “Our young players will learn from his knowledge and talents as a ballplayer as well as from the mistakes he has made. I will not turn my back on a man who has failed and is doing everything possible to turn his life around.�

Stottlemyre is close to Andy Pettitte, and the coach’s decision could help the Yankees in their quest to re-sign the free agent left-hander.