Piazza To Marlins? What A Deal!

In a stunning trade that would complete Florida's payroll purge, the Marlins were close to a deal Friday that would send Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla and Charles Johnson to Los Angeles for Mike Piazza.

In addition, the World Series champions would give up outfielder Jim Eisenreich and a player to be named, and the Dodgers would give Florida third baseman Todd Zeile.

In all, the players involved have guaranteed contracts calling for $98 million from 1998 through 2003, a record amount for players in one deal.

"We have an agreement in place," Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "It's all contingent on Gary approving the deal."

The outfielder, in the first season of a $61 million, six-year contract, has a no-trade clause.

Sheffield traveled to Los Angeles on Friday to meet with Dodgers officials. A source close to the negotiations, speaking on the condition he not be identified, said Sheffield was reluctant to leave Florida, which has no state income tax, unless the Dodgers agree to increase his salary. He also wants the Dodgers to guarantee his contract's $11 million option for 2004.

"I am going to make a decision that will be beneficial for the well-being of my family and include all components necessary for the continued growth of my career on and off the field, as well as my personal happiness," Sheffield said in a statement. "Whatever the outcome, I hope my fans will support my decision, as they provide the passion that drives me."

Sheffieds publicist, Marvet Britto, said the outfielder was reluctant to leave his family in Florida but liked the idea of playing in Los Angeles. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native has two daughters in Florida, but the trade would move him closer to his 4-year-old son in Arizona.

"With the Dodgers, the endorsement opportunities would be absolutely great," Britto said. "He would be a big fish in a big market."

Florida, which got rid of 12 players from its World Series roster during the off-season, would lower its payroll to $24 million, down from $53 million at the end of 1997. Just two position players would remain from the starting lineup in Game 7 of the World Series: shortstop Edgar Renteria and second baseman Craig Counsell.

Piazza, completing a $15 million, two-year deal, clearly isn't a long-term acquisition. The catcher is eligible for free agency after the season and the Marlins would either deal him for prospects or let him leave in the fall.

The Marlins would eliminate $20.6 million in 1998 salary: Sheffield ($10 million); Bonilla ($5.9 million); Johnson ($3.3 million); and Eisenreich ($1.4 million); and take on $11.2 million: Piazza ($8 million); and Zeile ($3.2 million).

If it goes through, the deal would be among baseball's biggest. Bonilla is a six-time All-Star, while Piazza is a five-time selection. Sheffield is a three-time pick and Johnson, a three-time Gold Glove, appeared in his first All-Star game last season.

Piazza broke off negotiations for a long-term deal with the Dodgers last month. The team was said to have offered about $80 million over six years, but the catcher is believed to be asking for more than $100 million over seven seasons.

If the Marlins get him, a trade to Baltimore, Colorado or the Yankees is a possibility.

The Marlins, who are being sold by H. Wayne Huizenga to a group headed by team president Don Smiley, were 13-28 going into Friday, the second-worst record in the NL, ahead of only the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks. Smiley intends to cut the payroll more, down to about $16 million next year.

Moises Alou, Kevin Brown and Robb Nen were among those dealt during the off-season, and Sheffield recently complained about the stripped-down club, saying, "People look at this team like we are the `Bad News Bears.'"

"It's tough,"> Johnson said earlier this season. "It's something the organization feels they have to do, and as players we have no say so. We have to go with the flow."

The Marlins scratched Sheffield, Bonilla and Johnson from the lineup Thursday night at Cincinnati, with manager Jim Leyland saying that he was meeting with general manager Dave Dombrowski.

The struggling Dodgers, who some believed are underachievers and others feel are overrated, were 19-21 after a 4-0 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night -- their eighth loss in 11 games.

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