Thoughts About Big Mike

I still don't understand why the Mets let Mike Piazza just walk. He was the backbone of the team for a long time. And while he has slowed down, his numbers still were good enough to share duties behind the plate. It seems like the Mets have no loyalty. Am I missing something?
-- Ron H., New Windsor, Conn.

Loyalty isn't the issue. The club spent $93 million for seven seasons of Mike Piazza, and the return was five. Nobody complained. If anything, the Mets were mostly pleased with what Piazza provided. But the time had come to move on. While he was still as productive as any catcher in the big leagues last season, Piazza no longer was the offensive force he had been, no longer the force that made the tradeoff -- exceptional hitting for compromised defense -- acceptable. The Mets were content to live with that tradeoff from May 23, 1998, his first day in uniform, until May 17, 2003, the day he tore his groin muscle. Unfortunately, Piazza's offense faded dramatically after his return from that injury in 2003.