NATIONAL LEAGUE Mets gauging interest in Piazza

The question is, who's willing and able to pay his $16 million salary.
NEWSDAY
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- This is a baseball winter that could be defined by a lack of big-name trades. But if all of Omar Minaya's dreams come true, then the Mets' new general manager could buck the trend.
At the general managers' meetings, Minaya has met with many clubs -- among them Anaheim, Baltimore, Detroit, Los Angeles and Texas -- to gauge their interest in catcher Mike Piazza. He has also peddled outfielder Cliff Floyd, who like Piazza is considered overpaid and injury-prone.
Yet Minaya hasn't merely been attempting to unload his veterans. In meeting with the Rangers Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton, Minaya discussed a deal that would send infielder Jose Reyes to the Rangers for second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who would be moved to right field. Minaya could pursue free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who played for Minaya's Expos before being traded to the Red Sox on July 31.
All of the discussions were considered preliminary, although, as Minaya said, "Things can go from preliminary to reality in 24 hours."
Piazza's departure would cause the most waves, given what the future Hall of Famer has accomplished in his seven seasons with the organization. A year ago at this time, Piazza told the Mets he would be open to a trade if the organization believed it wanted to go into rebuilding mode. The Mets assured Piazza that they wanted to compete in the 2004 season.
Trying to find taker
Now it appears that Minaya -- granted "full autonomy" by owner Fred Wilpon -- is seriously investigating whether he can find a taker for Piazza, who hit .266 in 129 games last year with 20 homers and 54 RBIs.
"I'm going to explore what interest teams have in all of our players," Minaya said Wednesday, while declining to discuss specific players.
The Piazza sales drive could very well prove unsuccessful, given that the 36-year-old is due $16 million in 2005 (the final season of the seven-year, $91-million package he signed in October 1998) and can veto any trade.
The Mets would almost certainly have to provide some of that money due Piazza, unless they take on another team's albatross. That was the idea behind the talks with the Dodgers in which Piazza would return to his original team and first baseman-outfielder Shawn Green would come to the Mets. Green, 32, is also due about $16 million next year.
Looking to AL team
Given Piazza's struggles defensively, Minaya understands he'll find a better market for him in the American League, where he could be mainly a designated hitter. The Tigers are willing to spend money this winter, but it's difficult to envision Piazza approving a deal to Detroit. Baltimore is a more likely destination, given Piazza's affection for hitter-friendly Camden Yards and the city's Eastern locale.
Piazza, who has a home in Southern California, would also probably endorse a move to Anaheim, and the Angels have the payroll room to take on a decent chunk of his salary.
The Rangers haven't expressed much interest in Piazza. Instead, they're high on Reyes, who played only 53 games in 2004 because of a myriad of injuries, and down on Soriano, who aggravated manager Buck Showalter with his occasional lack of hustle and defensive struggles.