Mets: Zeile calls for baseball to clean up its act
Thursday, February 26, 2004
BY DAVID WALDSTEIN
Star-Ledger Staff
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Todd Zeile knows about the grand jury investigation into steroids. He has heard the cries of "McCarthyism" and defiant players inviting Major League Baseball to "Test me!"
Yesterday, Zeile -- a longtime and influential member of the Players Association -- called on all parties involved to get the facts and not gloss over the problem. He questioned the results of the last round of testing and said the scandal could be a blessing.
"Let's find out the truth," Zeile said on his first day back with the Mets. "The game owes it to itself to do a real analysis and find out the truth, however painful it may be."
And it could be very painful, especially with some of the game's most notable sluggers -- including Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield -- testifying in front of a grand jury investigation of the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative.
But while many people around baseball are cringing at the possible revelations that could emerge from a public trial, Zeile -- a 38-year-old utility player -- contends it might be the cleansing the game needs.
"If the Players Association and Major League Baseball are serious about trying to clean up the game, as all the rhetoric during the last negotiations indicated," he said, "they should all welcome some sort of real probative investigation -- as long as its done with the proper parameters."
Zeile believes MLB and the union are taking the proper steps to eliminate steroids, through a gradual testing program with increasing penalties. But he scoffs at the notion that only 5 to 7 percent of players are on steroids, as results from last year's testing indicated.
MLB and the union said those results were evidence the problem is minimal, but Zeile says the sample is skewed because players were prepared to get around the testing, which was more an inquiry into smarts than substance abuse.
"How could it be 5 to 7 percent when everybody in the game knew they were going to be tested?" he said. "They were tested once and never tested again. That's ridiculous. That's an IQ test. That means that of the people (tested) ... at least 5 to 7 percent couldn't avoid it even when they knew they were going to be tested."
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of those who tested positive.
"If you break down the numbers, 5 to 7 percent is a lot bigger than what it says because the control group was not all the players," Zeile said. "There was no real random testing. There was only a small group of guys, 15 out of the 40 guys, who were ever tested randomly, so you're cutting your control group by a third, and everyone else knew there was going to be a test late in spring training.
"There's more analysis that needs to be done. The numbers are really skewed and it's not the minimal view that some people say. So maybe BALCO can shed some light on that."
With the physique of a typical sales executive, Zeile won't generate doubts, despite hitting 244 home runs for 11 teams over a 15-year career. But he is passionate about the issue.
Zeile is concerned about the image of the game he loves, the health risks for players using steroids and that kids might be influenced to use them. He speaks of a more fundamental, moral issue.
"It's not only illegal," he said, "but it's cheating. I don't know why that isn't talked about more. I know whatever I did in this game, I did on my own merit, period. End of subject.
"Whether that's something people have to deal with internally, I would hope there's enough moral fiber there that people at least struggle with it internally."
Zeile thinks MLB's policy is moving in the right direction, but no one should be convinced the problem is solved because testing results seemed low.
"We're on the right track," he said. "We'll find out this year. We'll see if people change the way they perform."
02/25/2004 2:01 PM ET
Happy to be back, Zeile has a bond with Piazza
BY BOB HERZOG AND DAVID LENNON
STAFF CORRESPONDENTS
February 26, 2004
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- It wasn't going to be just anyplace that 38-year-old Todd Zeile, father of four including a son born Jan. 19, was going to play his final big-league season. "New York or L.A.," Zeile said of his preferred destinations for his 16th season.
Los Angeles is close to his home in Thousand Oaks, Calif., but New York - specifically the Mets - is close to his heart. "I made a conscious decision to return to a place where I had good experiences," said Zeile, a free-agent signee in January who had two reasonably productive seasons as the Mets' starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001.
Zeile's family will remain on the West Coast until the end of the school year in June, except for a weeklong visit next month. They are not far from his mind, however. "Whether I get ample playing time to make the trips away from my family satisfying remains to be seen," said Zeile, who expects to pinch hit and play a reserve role at first and third. "But I feel there is better opportunity in the National League with the Mets."
His locker is next to Mike Piazza's, which is no coincidence because the two are close friends who share yet another bond - both switched from catcher to infield, though Zeile did it early in his career.
"He seems to be really working hard and he's taken to it from the mental standpoint," Zeile said.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc.
FEB 25, 2004
Notes: Zeile plans to call it quits
Veteran infielder to make 16th season his final one
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Todd Zeile made his intention clear on a rainy Wednesday morning at Tradition Field. This will be his last Spring Training.
The veteran infielder will call it a career after this, his 16th season in the Major Leagues. In fact, he said he wouldn't have been back this season at all had the Mets or Dodgers not come calling.
"This is it," Zeile said "It's this year and home. It was negotiated and a pact was made. It might as well be signed in blood. It's a family pact that was previously decided when I wanted to pursue another year."
Zeile, 38, has four children with his wife Julianne, the most recent a son Aaron Thomas who was born on Jan. 19. He was specific in where he wanted to play, either in Los Angeles near his California home or for the Mets. Zeile said that his two previous seasons with the Mets (2000-01) was probably the best baseball experience he's had.
"It was the guys the team had and the success we had," said Zeile, who had 11 homers and 41 RBIs while splitting time between the Yankees and Expos last season. "There was 9/11 and the memories of that stretch, and the World Series in 2000 had an impact personally. It was just a great environment.
"I love New York City. If I'm going to have to be away from my home and family more than I want to be, it had to be where I knew what I was getting into."
Zeile has no illusions of grandeur about this season either. It's not a stretch to think that he'll get 150 at-bats or less considering Ty Wigginton's iron-man attitude about playing third and the Mike Piazza/Jason Phillips platoon at first.
So while he'll fill the same role Jay Bell played last season, don't expect Zeile to play mentor the way Bell did. At least not with Piazza. Zeile, a former catcher, has made the successful switch to the infield but isn't about to give his close friend any unsolicited advice.
"I've talked to Mike a little bit about first base but we've talked about other things, too," Zeile said. "I don't think he's expecting me to be a mentor. We're friends. Anything as far as sharing my experience is a no-brainer."
January 29, 2004
ZEILE PULSE
ESPN.com
The Mets brought back Todd Zeile on Jan. 28, signing the veteran infielder to a one-year, $1 million contract. The 38-year-old Zeile was the Mets' first baseman in 2000 and 2001 and he split last season between the Yankees and Expos, batting .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBI in 100 games. Zeile is expected to be the backup at third base for Ty Wigginton and insurance at first base, where the Mets will try Mike Piazza. Zeile, who will be entering his 16th season, has played for 11 teams and is a career .266 hitter with 244 homers and 1,075 RBI
January 29, 2004
ZEILE GLAD NEW YORK IS NOT BRONX
By Bob Herzog Staff Writer
Newsday.com
Long before Aaron Boone's knee injury, Todd Zeile had made up his mind about one thing. Nothing, not even an opportunity to be a starting third baseman, was going to get him to come back to the Yankees.
"When I left Baltimore [where they were playing Aug. 17] and said goodbye to the Yankees, I knew in my heart I'd never play for the Yankees again," Zeile said Wednesday on a conference call to announce his signing of a one-year, $1-million contract to return to the Mets. "Not that I have any ill will; I just have no desire to play for that organization. Even if that [Boone's injury] happened a month ago, I don't think it was ever going to be a realistic possibility."
Zeile's displeasure with his 66-game cameo with the Yankees as a first- and third-base reserve at the start of the 2003 season had little to do with his .210 average but rather the 186 at-bats that seemed to be dwindling as the season progressed, and the tense atmosphere around the team as the Yankees made frequent transactions in July and August, including the acquisition of Boone and the trading of Zeile's close friend, Robin Ventura.
"I thought I was going to get more playing time there and I didn't. Things are different in that organization -- different than any one I've ever been with," said Zeile, who has played for 11 teams in 14 big-league seasons. "Every day is the potential to be the end-all. I've never seen any revolving-door atmosphere like it. It's whatever they need that day. It can be unsettling for people in role positions, which is what I considered myself."
Zeile said the Yankees didn't push him out the door. He opened it for himself. "There were still opportunities for me to stay and to make it to September and the playoffs with the Yankees," Zeile said. "I talked to Joe . I told him I felt I wasn't contributing and didn't feel good about it. Even if we rode it all the way out to the World Series, I felt I wasn't deserving of a ring. That's the way I broached it with Joe and Brian . To Brian's credit, he released me with no strings attached to give me the opportunity to hook on with someone else."
That release wound up giving Zeile, who was signed as a free agent by the Expos on Aug. 20, a new lease on his baseball life. "The truth of the matter is I wasn't sure, when I departed in August, whether or not I'd play in this upcoming year and whether I'd have an option," Zeile, 38, said. "The move to Montreal solidified my desire to play."
Zeile batted .257 with five home runs in 113 at-bats with Montreal, including two winning homers against the Mets in late September. After taking a month in the offseason to confer with his family and examine his own interest to extend his career, Zeile decided, "It was still burning in me to play for another year, but only in Los Angeles or New York."
New York meant the Mets, not the Yankees. "This gives me the opportunity to get some time on the field and return somewhere where I had nothing but fond memories," said Zeile, who had two reasonably productive seasons for the Mets in 2000 and 2001.
Zeile said he has no concerns about playing time or usage. "It's up to Art . I'm coming in with expectations of playing at both sides of the diamond," Zeile said. "We're going to have to wait and see about the decisions regarding Mike and Jason at first base and catching. I look at this differently than I did with the Yankees. It seems to be a similar role, but there's a fundamental difference between the National League and American League. There's a possibility of getting into some games [as a pinch hitter or late-inning substitute], instead of not getting into games for weeks at a time."
Zeile said he is a good friend of Piazza and "can probably offer him some perspective" on Piazza's celebrated move from catcher to first base. "I'm not there to teach or mentor him," Zeile said. "A big part of making that kind of transition is finally resigning yourself to it and welcoming it. If you go reluctantly and feel you're being forced, you'll have a more difficult time. I experienced that [when Cardinals manager Torre urged Zeile to switch from catcher to third base early in his career]. Joe wanted me to move. I fought it at first. Until I accepted the move, my progress was impeded."
Now, in his final season, Zeile gladly accepts all moves -- except a return to the Yankees.
January 29, 2004
Zeile: Role position with Yanks unsettling'
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- Who's going to play third base for the Yankees?
We know it won't be Aaron Boone, who injured his knee playing basketball and may be lost for the season. It won't be Todd Zeile, who has no interest in going back to the Bronx.
Gary Sheffield? Well, he's offering.
Sheffield, the All-Star outfielder who recently signed with the Yankees, said Tuesday that he would move to third base, where he played previously during the early years of his major league career.
Sheffield started out with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1988 as a shortstop before making the transition to third base full time for the Brewers in 1990. Overall, Sheffield has played 466 games at third base for the Brewers and San Diego Padres.
Whether the Yankees will take him up on his offer is uncertain.
Another possibility? Tyler Houston.
Houston's deal was agreed to last week, after the Yankees learned about Boone's injury.
Houston, 33, hit .278 with two homers and 14 RBIs last year with Philadelphia. He would get a $900,000, one-year contract if he is added to New York's roster. If he isn't added to the roster by April 1 and asks to be released, New York must grant his request.
The Yankees also have Drew Henson, Enrique Wilson, Miguel Cairo and Erick Almonte as third-base possibilities, and they could try to trade for a veteran such as Adrian Beltre of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Yankees have not discussed a buyout with Henson, one baseball official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The former Michigan quarterback has struggled in the minor leagues since signing a $17 million, six-year contract with the Yankees in 2001.
As for Zeile, the infielder finalized his $1 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets on Wednesday. He said he wouldn't have spoken to the Yankees even if he had known an opening would develop at third base.
"I have no desire to play again for that organization," Zeile said during a telephone conference call Wednesday.
After signing with the Yankees, his 11th major league team, Zeile hit .210 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 186 at-bats. New York released him on Aug. 17, and Zeile signed with Montreal three days later, going on to bat .257 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 113 at-bats.
"I think some of the things that happen over there are different than any other organization in baseball. I have a pretty good track record to judge that," Zeile said, citing his numerous stops across the majors.
"Every day is potentially the end-all," he said. "It's whatever they need that day. It sometimes can be unsettling for people in role positions there. ... I don't really have a desire to get back into that mix."
At times last year, Zeile thought 2003 would be his final season.
"Only because I got some renewed desire and some adrenaline and passion for the game with Montreal did I really consider coming back for another year," he said. "The move to Montreal really solidified for me the desire to continue to play. It gave me the opportunity to check out if I had anything left in the tank."
Zeile, 38, was the Mets' starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001. He has a career batting average of .266 in 15 seasons with 244 homers and 1,075 RBIs, and on Sept. 5 last year, he became the first player to homer for 11 major league teams, connecting off Florida's Mark Redman.
In addition to his salary, Zeile can earn $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances.
JANUARY 29, 2004
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Zeile signs with Mets, takes rips at Yanks
By SAM BORDEN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Todd Zeile was finalizing his contract with the Mets when Aaron Boone hurt his knee, so Zeile was never an option to be Boone's replacement.
Not that it really mattered.
On a conference call yesterday to announce his one-year, $1 million deal with the Mets, Zeile - who was released by the Yankees in August - made it clear that he has no interest in wearing pinstripes again.
"I have no desire to play again for that organization," said Zeile, who appeared in 66 games for the Yanks last season before finishing the year in Montreal. "I don't know that they'd have a desire to bring me back, so I don't want to be presumptuous in that regard. (But) I thought I was going to get more playing time - as it turned out, I didn't. I think some of the things that happen over there are different than in any other organization in baseball."
Zeile would certainly know, since he's played for 12 teams in 15 seasons. He spent 2000 and 2001 at Shea with a year-long stopover in Colorado before landing in the Bronx last year. With Joe Torre using him sparingly, Zeile endured long stints of inactivity. When the Bombers traded away one of his closest friends, Robin Ventura, and brought in Boone to be the third baseman of the future, Zeile knew it was time to move on.
Zeile said he left the Yankees amicably, but he's sure that one trip through Yankeeland's "revolving door" was enough.
"Every day is potentially the end-all," he said. "It's whatever they need that day. It can sometimes be unsettling for people in role positions there. I don't really have a desire to get back into that mix."
A return to Shea, on the other hand, has been on his mind since December. After 34 games with the Expos - including two game-winning homers in a September series at Shea - Zeile went into the offseason wondering if his career was over.
But after a month or two of contemplation, Zeile decided his passion for the game was still alive and - with his family's blessing - decided to return.
Zeile expects to be used at both third and first base, and said he'd be willing to help with Mike Piazza's transition from catcher to first ... if Piazza wants help, that is.
"I can probably give him some perspective on it," said Zeile, who, under Torre, moved from catcher to third base while with the Cardinals in 1990. "I'm sure he can successfully make that switch. A big part of making that transition is welcoming it....It really depends on how good he decides he wants to be at first base."
JANUARY 29, 2004
THE NEW YORK POST
ZEILE BACK WITH METS, SAYS BRONX NOT FOR HIM
By MARK HALE
Todd Zeile is now officially a Met reserve. And he'd rather be that than a potential Yankee starter.
The 38-year-old Zeile signed his one-year, $1-million deal with the Mets yesterday to back up first and third base (he can earn $500,000 more in plate appearance incentives). But while the Yankees are now looking for a third baseman to replace the injured Aaron Boone, Zeile, who was released by the Yankees last August after a 66-game stint, insisted he wouldn't have returned to The Bronx even if Boone's injury had happened a month ago.
"When I left Baltimore [last August] and said goodbye to the Yankees, in my heart I knew I was never going to play for the Yankees again," Zeile said yesterday. "Not that I have any ill will or begrudging thoughts to the Yankees. It was nobody's fault. But I have no desire to play again for that organization."
Zeile, who hit just .210 for the Yankees and .227 overall last year with the Yankees and Expos, noted that he's not even sure the Yankees would have wanted him back. But the man who's been with 11 teams in his career said the Yankees are different than any other.
"It's different than any organization that I've been with in regards to every day is potentially the end-all," Zeile said. "It's whatever they need that day. It sometimes can be unsettling for people in role positions there. And I would consider the time that I spent there a role position, so it was a little unsettling. So I don't really have a desire to get back into the mix."
Actually, Zeile wasn't sure he wanted to get back into any mix. When the Yankees released him, he figured he might be wrapping up his final season. But two days later, the Expos picked him up and things changed.
Zeile "got rejuvenated" and produced for Montreal, smacking five homers and driving in 19 runs in 34 games. More important, he rediscovered his passion and decided to sign on for another year.
METS.com
01/28/2004 2:03 PM ET
Todd Zeile returns to Mets
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
- When Todd Zeile asked the Yankees to release him last summer, thoughts of retirement were prevalent.
The well-traveled infielder had not been seeing much playing time with the Bombers and felt that it would be best for all involved if the club just let him go. Still not sure whether he would be playing or not in 2004, Zeile signed on with Montreal just three days after the Yanks released him and the move proved to be just the panacea for which he was looking.
The strong six weeks Zeile enjoyed with the Expos (five homers and 19 RBIs in 34 games) told him one thing -- he still wanted to play baseball. So, after taking some time last fall to think it over and discuss the matter with his family, Zeile began looking for options for this season and quickly settled on the Mets.
The club made official on Wednesday what had been known for at least a week when it announced Zeile had signed a one-year deal worth $1 million. Incentives based on plate appearances could net him another $500,000.
"The truth of the matter is that when I departed in August, I wasn't sure that I was going to play in the upcoming year or even have the option," said Zeile, who played for the Mets in 2000-01. "The move to Montreal really helped solidify my desire to play. I got a chance to play on a team that was fun and exciting and that made a nice run in September. It gave me the opportunity to check out whether I had anything left in the tank.
"When the season ended, I decided to take a month to see if I got back that adrenalized opinion of the game off my mind. When it was still burning in me, I made the decision that I would only pursue opportunities in Los Angeles or New York. I made that clear (to his agents) and when I had an informative, encouraging discussion in December with the Mets, Jeff Wilpon in particular, I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to play again that I wanted to play in New York."
Zeile, who hit .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 299 at-bats last year, will see his share of time coming off the bench as well as filling in at first and third base. He was asked on Wednesday whether he regretted choosing the Mets so quickly. In light of Aaron Boone's potential season-ending injury, there were some who believed he could have returned to the Bronx and played every day. Zeile is not among that group.
"As a matter of fact I didn't regret it [my decision]," said Zeile, who praised Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for honoring his request in August. "When I left Baltimore (in August) and said good-bye to the Yanks, I knew I was never going to play for the Yankees again. Not that I have any ill will or begrudging thoughts towards them but I have no desire to play for that organization. If (Boone) had happened a month ago and was a possibility I never thought it would be a realistic possibility.
"Even if the opportunity with the Mets wasn't there, I don't know if they [the Yankees] would have brought me back. I thought I would have gotten more playing time there but that's not how it worked out. They are different than any other organization I've been with in regards to every day is the potential end all. I've never seen a revolving door atmosphere like there. It can sometimes be unsettling for people in role positions. I considered my time there as a role position and it was unsettling and I don't have a desire to get back into that mix."
So while the team Zeile returns to in Queens isn't exactly like the one that went to the World Series in 2000, he still has close friends Mike Piazza, John Franco and Al Leiter to keep him company.
In addition to being one of 82 players to play for both the Mets and Yankees, Zeile is the only player in Major League history to hit a homer for 11 different teams. He was part of the Mets' World Series team in 2000 and during his two years with the Mets, he hit .267 (287-1,075) with 32 home runs and 141 RBI.
In other news, a published report on Wednesday had the Mets agreeing in principle to a minor-league deal with outfielder Shane Spencer. Team spokesman Jay Horwitz, however, wouldn't confirm the deal, only saying that progress was being made in the negotiations.
January 28, 2004
Mets, Zeile Ink $1 Million, One-Year Deal
AP
NEW YORK - Todd Zeile had no interest in going back to the Bronx.
The infielder, who finalized his $1 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets (news) on Wednesday, wouldn't have spoken to the Yankees even if he had known an opening would develop at third base.
Following Aaron Boone's knee injury, the Yankees are thinking over their replacement options.
"I have no desire to play again for that organization," Zeile said during a telephone conference call.
After signing with the Yankees, his 11th major league team, Zeile hit .210 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 186 at-bats. New York released him on Aug. 17, and Zeile signed with Montreal three days later, going on to bat .257 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 113 at-bats.
"I think some of the things that happen over there are different than any other organization in baseball. I have a pretty good track record to judge that," Zeile said, citing his numerous stops across the majors.
"Every day is potentially the end all," he said. "It's whatever they need that day. It sometimes can be unsettling for people in role positions there. ... I don't really have a desire to get back into that mix."
At times last year, Zeile thought 2003 would be his final season.
"Only because I got some renewed desire and some adrenaline and passion for the game with that Montreal did I really consider coming back for another year," he said. "The move to Montreal really solidified for me the desire to continue to play. It gave me the opportunity to check out if I had anything left in the tank."
Zeile, 38, was the Mets' starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001. He has a career batting average of .266 in 15 seasons with 244 homers and 1,075 RBIs, and on Sept. 5 last year, he became the first player to homer for 11 major league teams, connecting off Florida's Mark Redman.
In addition to his salary, Zeile can earn $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances.
Notes:@ The Mets are continuing to negotiate with the agent for free agent OF Shane Spencer, New York spokesman Jay Horwitz said, but no deal has been finalized. ... Zeile thinks the injury to Boone, hurt in a game of pickup basketball, might enable the Yankee to use the guarantee language to avoid his $5.75 million salary, or parts of it. "If your injury is self-inflicted, then I think the team should then have the opportunity to undo that contract and look at it on the merits of what the language says. I think it's going to be tricky in particular with Aaron. I think most of the things that are put in the contract as far as prohibitive language (are) reasonable."
METS.com
January 28, 2003
NEW YORK -- Todd Zeile officially returned to the Big Apple on Wednesday when the Mets announced they had signed the free-agent infielder to a one-year deal.
The well-traveled Zeile, who played for the Mets in 2000 and 2001, agreed to a $1 million contract with incentives that could net him another $500,000 based on plate appearances. He split last season between the Yankees and Expos, hitting .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 299 at-bats over 100 games.
Zeile, 38, began last year with the Yanks but was released on Aug. 17 after the club traded for third baseman Aaron Boone. He signed with Montreal three days later and finished the season strong, hitting five homers and driving in 19 runs in 34 games.
His role will primarily be to back up Ty Wigginton at third base and come off the bench, though he will get the odd start at first base.
In addition to being one of 82 players to play for both the Mets and Yankees, Zeile is the only player in Major League history to hit a homer for 11 different teams. He was the Mets starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001. During that period, he hit .267 (287-1,075) with 133 runs scored, 61 doubles, four triples, 32 home runs and 141 RBI in 304 contests.
In the 2000 post-season, Todd hit .302 with two runs scored, six doubles, one home run and nine RBI to help the Mets capture the National League Championship. Zeile had a bases loaded, base clearing double in the fourth inning in Game Five of the NLCS vs. St. Louis and finished the Series with a .368 (7-19) batting average and eight RBI.
MSGnetwork.com
Zeile finalizes $1 million, one-year deal with Mets
January 28, 2004
New York (AP) — Todd Zeile returned to the New York Mets on Wednesday, finalizing his $1 million, one-year contract.
The infielder spent last season with the New York Yankees and Montreal, batting a combined .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs in 100 games. On Sept. 5, he became the first player to homer for 11 major league teams, connecting off Florida’s Mark Redman.
The 38-year-old Zeile was the Mets starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001. He has a career batting average of .266 in 15 seasons with 244 homers and 1,075 RBIs.
In addition to his salary, he can earn $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances.
YESnetwork.com
Mets sign IF Todd Zeile to one-year deal
January 28, 2004
Flushing, New York (Ticker) - The New York Mets brought back Todd Zeile on Wednesday, signing the veteran infielder to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The Mets confirmed earlier this month that they were negotiating with Zeile and he participated in the Mets’ winter caravan - a promotional tour - last week.
The 38-year-old Zeile was the Mets’ first baseman in 2000 and 2001 and he split last season between the New York Yankees and Montreal Expos, batting .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBI in 100 games.
Zeile is expected to be the backup at third base for Ty Wigginton and insurance at first base, where the Mets will try Mike Piazza.
Zeile, who will be entering his 16th season, has played for 11 teams and is a career .266 hitter with 244 homers and 1,075 RBI.
The Mets also reportedly have agreed to a minor-league deal with veteran outfielder Shane Spencer. Newsday reported Wednesday that Spencer, who split last season between Cleveland and Texas and batted .251, will be given a chance to compete for the job in right field. Roger Cedeno, Karim Garcia, Timo Perez and Raul Gonzalez also are candidates to play next to new center fielder Mike Cameron
The Star-Ledger Staff- January 23, 2004
Todd Zeile will have his physical exam today, and his one-year contract with the Mets will be announced after that.
METS.com 01/16/2004 12:31 PM ET
Mets negotiating with Todd Zeile
By Patrick Mulrenin / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Less than 24 hours after the Mets confirmed ongoing negotiations with outfielder Karim Garcia, the team confirmed on Friday morning ongoing negotiations with former Met infielder Todd Zeile. "We have had extremely favorable discussions with infielder Todd Zeile regarding a potential contract," said the Mets in a written statement. "As a result of those discussions, we have asked Todd to undergo a physical examination early next week. We look forward to providing further information following the completion of the physical." Barring a failed examination, the Mets are reportedly expected to sign Zeile to a one-year deal next week. The team could announce the Garcia and Zeile signings during their Winter Caravan next week in New York City.
Manager Art Howe will likely use Zeile as a right-handed bat off the bench, as well as occasional relief at first and third. Jay Bell, who retired after the 2003 season, was used by Howe in a similar role during his one season in New York. Zeile, like Bell, will also provide a veteran presence for the Mets' clubhouse.
The 38-year-old Zeile will be entering his 16th Major League season. He was the Mets' starting first baseman in 2000 and 2001. He played 153 games for the eventual National League champs in 2000, batting .268 with 22 homers and 79 RBIs.
Zeile helped the Mets close out the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series by going 7-for-19 (.368) with a homer and eight RBIs. His bases-loaded, bases-clearing double in the fourth inning of Game 5 sealed the game and the series for the Mets. In January 2002 the Mets sent Zeile and Benny Agbayani to the Colorado Rockies in a three-team deal that eventually brought Jeromy Burnitz, Jeff D'Amico and minor leaguers to New York.
Last season, Zeile split time between the New York Yankees and Montreal Expos. In 100 combined games, he hit .227 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. He was released by the Yankees on Aug. 17 and hitched on with the Expos three days later for the final five weeks of the season.
Since making his debut with the Cardinals in 1989, Zeile has played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, Mets, Rockies, Yankees and Expos.
JANUARY 15, 2004
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
Mets are talking to free agents Karim Garcia, Todd Zeile New York -- The New York Mets are talking to free agents Karim Garcia and Todd Zeile, hoping to land both players after missing out on Vladimir Guerrero.
"We've had positive discussions," general manager Jim Duquette said in a statement.
Garcia was traded from Cleveland to the New York Yankees last June, batting .262 overall with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. He hit .305 for the Yankees as a platoon right fielder.
The Mets already have Timo Perez, Roger Cedeno and Raul Gonzalez as candidates in right. But Garcia's left-handed bat could get him most of the playing time.
Garcia, former Yankees pitcher Jeff Nelson and a Fenway Park groundskeeper have pleaded innocent to charges they brawled in New York's bullpen during the AL championship series. All three have been charged with assault and battery. A Feb. 5 pretrial hearing was set for the players.
Zeile started last season with the Yankees and later played for Montreal. He had a combined 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, and finished up strong with the Expos. He has played for 11 different major league teams. If he signs with the Mets, it would mark the first time he's had a pair of stints with the same club. The Mets likely would use Zeile as a backup at first base and third base.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Mets Grow Modest After Flirting With Guerrero
By RAFAEL HERMOSO
Published: January 15, 2004
Untill untangling themselves from their decision not to pursue Vladimir Guerrero more aggressively, the Mets moved closer yesterday to signing a right fielder who fits more easily into their budget and whose questions are legal, not medical, as they neared a one-year deal with the former Yankee Karim Garcia.
The Mets are still dogged by questions about Guerrero. The players association has not fully accepted General Manager Jim Duquette's explanation Tuesday that he misspoke in telling reporters Saturday that the Mets had access to medical records on Guerrero's back that caused them to limit their guaranteed proposal to three years. A herniated disk sidelined Guerrero for seven weeks last season and Andrew Rokito, the Mets' physician, had one conversation with Barth Green, the doctor who examined Guerrero this off-season and provided a clean bill of health.
"We're going to investigate through the commissioner's office to see if the basic agreement was violated and Vladimir's rights were respected," Michael Weiner, a union lawyer, said yesterday by telephone.
The basic agreement prevents teams from sharing medical information on free agents.
Duquette's comments would have been damaging had they interfered with Guerrero's negotiations with the Angels. But on Monday he passed a physical and signed a five-year, $70 million contract.
The Mets are close to making more humble announcements. They were nearing deals with Garcia and Todd Zeile, who would return to the team and serve as a reserve infielder. Duquette, monitoring the renovations at the team's spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., yesterday, said through a spokesman that negotiations with both players were moving forward.
Garcia, a left-handed hitter, hit .262 with 11 home runs for the Indians and the Yankees last season, including .305 with 6 home runs in 151 at-bats with the Yankees. He would most likely make Timo Perez a reserve outfielder and either platoon with Roger Cedeño or have the chance to win the everyday job.
"If they viewed him as what they already have, they wouldn't have signed him," said Garcia's agent, Bobby Barad, who said that a deal was close and that Garcia could take a physical next week.
The Bergen Record reported yesterday that the Mets had nearly completed a one-year, $850,000 deal with Garcia. Barad said that by combining guaranteed money and incentives, the contract was in that range.
Never graceful, Garcia should still be an improvement defensively over Cedeño. The Yankees were surprised at how much ground Garcia covered, but his best asset was a strong throwing arm.
Garcia, who was not offered a contract by the Yankees, needs to resolve charges that he fought with a groundskeeper in the Yankees' bullpen at Fenway Park during an American League Championship Series game on Oct. 11. Garcia, the former Yankees reliever Jeff Nelson and the groundskeeper, Paul Williams, pleaded not guilty Jan. 7 to charges of assault and battery. A pretrial hearing was set for Feb. 5 for the players and Feb. 24 for Williams.
"I don't think anyone views this as anything that would affect his baseball life," Barad said.
Securing Garcia and Zeile would leave the back of the starting rotation as the Mets' only unaddressed need, and the Mets will probably attend workouts for the Cuban right-hander Maels Rodriguez on Jan. 22 in San Salvador and Scott Erickson, who missed last season after having elbow surgery, next week in Arizona.
The Mets and the Yankees were 2 of 26 teams that sent representatives to watch Shingo Takatsu, the career saves leader in Japan, throw yesterday in Irvine, Calif., the agent Joe Urbon said. Takatsu met with the Yankees in November and will decide by Jan. 26 whether to accept a $2.4 million offer to return to the Yakult Swallows or pitch in the United States, most likely as a setup man.
NJ STAR LEDGER
Ex-Yank Garcia on the way to Mets
Thursday, January 15, 2004
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Outfielder Karim Garcia has reached a tentative agreement on a contract with the Mets, who are also close to signing free-agent first baseman Todd Zeile.
The deal for Garcia is for one year, $800,000 guaranteed, with incentives based on plate appearances that would put the total package over $1 million.
All that remains is to finalize the language of the contract, which is contingent on Garcia's passing a physical. The deal could become official today.
A career .243 hitter who batted, just .262 overall last season, Garcia surprised the Yankees by hitting .305 with six homers and 21 RBI in 151 at-bats after they acquired him from Cleveland on June 25.
Garcia was cut loose by the Yankees on Dec. 19, a day after he was charged with assault and battery for brawling in the bullpen during a playoff game in Boston.
The Mets, however, aren't worried about Garcia's legal problems. They expect the worst he will get is probation.
Garcia, a left-handed hitter, is expected to platoon in right field with Raul Gonzalez, but would get majority of playing time because he would play against right-handers.
The Mets still want to trade Roger Cedeno but are finding no interest, so they may wind up trading Timo Perez.
The Mets stumbled to a last-place finish in 2003, and their outfield defense was a glaring problem.
They were determined to acquire a high-caliber player to put out there, and they did so by adding Mike Cameron last month. They had made a five-year, $71 million offer to Vladimir Guerrero, who reached terms with the Angels last week.
The addition of Zeile would give the Mets not only a backup first baseman but a pinch hitter and veteran presence in the clubhouse. He is a close friend of Mike Piazza.
THE NY DAILY NEWS
Jan. 15, 2004
ZEILE REDUX: The Mets are also close to signing Todd Zeile as a backup infielder. The former Met played for the Yankees and Expos last season, and could fill the clubhouse leadership role vacated by Tony Clark, who has been signed by the Yanks.
JANUARY 10, 2004
From nydailynews.com:
ZEILE TO RETURN: Todd Zeile's reps continue to talk with the Mets and it appears likely a deal will be worked out for him to return to Flushing as a reserve corner infielder. Zeile, 38, batted .227 with 11 homers and 42 RBI in 299 at-bats for the Yankees and Expos last season.
