BASEBALL

Report: Piazza Joins A’s As Designated Hitter

Mike Piazza appears to be finally headed to the American League after 15 years as a catcher in the National League. The San Diego Padres and longtime Mets backstop has agreed to a one-year deal with the Oakland A’s worth $8.5 million, according to a report by ESPN.com. Piazza, the all-time home run leader for a catcher, will also begin his first stint as a designated hitter next season.

Piazza, who will replace Frank Thomas as the team’s DH, was looking at deals from both the A’s and the Texas Rangers earlier this week.

“We need a right-handed bat and we need one in the middle of the order,”A’s GM, Billy Beane, told reporters. “Piazza fits that bill if we’re able to bring it to a conclusion.”

Piazza, who would be the no. 3 catcher for the A’s behind starter Jason Kendall and backup Adam Melhuse, batted .283 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI this year for the Padres, his only season in San Diego.

— Staff Reporter of the Sun

Mets Acquire Burgos From Kansas City For Bannister

The first trade at baseball’s winter meetings was far from a blockbuster.

In a swap of promising young pitchers, the Mets acquired hard-throwing reliever Ambiorix Burgos from the Kansas City Royals for starter Brian Bannister yesterday.

The 22-year-old Burgos saved 18 games for the Royals this year, going 4–5 with a 5.52 ERA in 67 relief appearances and one start. The right-hander bolsters a Mets bullpen that recently lost Chad Bradford and Roberto Hernandez, free agents who signed elsewhere.

“It does give me a comfort zone after losing Bradford,” New York general manager Omar Minaya said. “It’s hard for me to pass up power arms.”

FOOTBALL

Panthers QB Delhomme Questionable With Thumb Injury

Carolina coach John Fox has insisted that, barring injury, struggling Jake Delhomme would remain the Panthers’ starting quarterback.

But Delhomme is no longer healthy, sitting out yesterday’s practice with a sprained right thumb, meaning Chris Weinke could make his first start in almost five years Sunday against the Giants.

“It’s sore,” Delhomme said. “If I played any other position, there would be no question I’d play, but it’s a pretty important part of the throwing process of holding on, so we’ll see.”

Favre Says He Probably Needs Left Ankle Surgery

Brett Favre‘s aching left ankle probably needs arthroscopic surgery to clean out bone spurs, and he’s listening to Hall of Fame quarterbacks Troy Aikman and John Elway for tips on dealing with the losing. So ratchet up the speculation whether he returns to Green Bay next season.

“My left ankle probably needs it,” he said yesterday. “I have to kind of convince myself to do it. It’s one of those, I’ll say, ‘I’ll do it’ and when the time comes, ‘uh, I can wait.’ But we’ll see.”

HOCKEY

Back Problems Force Nieuwendyk To Retire

Florida Panthers forward Joe Nieuwendyk retired yesterdasy because of chronic back problems, ending a 20-year career.

Nieuwendyk, who won three Stanley Cup three titles and helped Canada capture an Olympic gold medal in 2002, missed 14 of the Panthers’ first 29 games this season because of the injury. He made the decision to retire when doctors told him that his back simply wouldn’t improve.

— Associated Press