The Yankees probably will pass on Mike Piazza, a major-league official told The Post yesterday. Although sources said GM Brian Cashman hadn’t made a final decision, the former Met isn’t a great fit for the club.
Cashman canvassed team executives this week after Piazza’s agent, Dan Lozano, offered his client to the Yanks for $2 million. Apparently, Cashman received negative feedback from his internal straw poll.
It’s believed Cashman communicated with Lozano yesterday, although the agent didn’t return calls for comment. George Steinbrenner refused to comment on Piazza through a spokesperson. Unless Steinbrenner demands that Piazza be fitted for pinstripes, it appears the 37-year-old needs to look elsewhere.
San Diego and Philadelphia are options. When Lozano phoned the Yankees on Monday, it was communicated that the catcher had one current option: as a backup with the Phillies. But, reportedly, the Padres phoned Lozano to express interest. The Orioles and the Angels also have been linked to Piazza.
The most far-fetched possibility would be Japan, but someone close to Piazza said he doubted the catcher would play in Japan, and a source from the Japan League said he also doubted Piazza would play there.