Moving to reacquire their former franchise player, the Dodgers twice this season initiated trade discussions with the New York Mets regarding all-star catcher Mike Piazza, The Times has learned.
Two baseball sources confirmed Friday that Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone proposed potential deals to Met General Manager Steve Phillips in hopes of bringing Piazza back to Los Angeles. The Dodgers first tried to complete another blockbuster trade involving Piazza, traded last May 15, shortly after the season began and then again recently.
After hitting a two-run home run in the Mets' 3-1 victory over the Dodgers on Thursday, Piazza went hitless in four at-bats Friday night during the Dodgers' 3-1 victory at Dodger Stadium.
Met officials are opposed to trading Piazza. He is having another typically strong season while leading the team to one of the best records in the major leagues and a probable playoff berth. Piazza, who began the season with a .333 career batting average, is batting .313 with 34 homers and 108 runs batted in.
The significance of the revelation is that Malone is trying to correct what many Dodger fans consider the worst mistake in franchise history.
A deal is not imminent at this point, but Malone wants to make it happen.
Although sources declined to reveal whom Malone offered in exchange for Piazza, the players are described as high-profile members of the 25-man roster. Phillips was not receptive to the Dodgers' offers, and Malone has shelved the issue for now, according to sources. Piazza has a no-trade clause; he can only be traded to four teams of his choice.
However, Malone knows that many Dodger fans still disapprove of the seven-player trade, which occurred before he became the player-personnel boss, that sent Piazza and Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins last season. Malone apparently plans to continue pursuing a deal for Piazza, who signed a seven-year, $91-million contract with the Mets in the off-season.
Malone and President Bob Graziano declined comment. Piazza's agent, Dan Lozano, would not address the trade talks, and he spoke cautiously when asked about the possibility of Piazza returning to the Dodgers.
"Mike is extremely happy in New York," Lozano said. "Everyone in the Met organization has treated Mike great, they couldn't have treated him any better, and Mike is focused on leading the Mets to the playoffs.
