Mike Piazza, Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez: No Arbitration

What was inevitable is now certain; Mike Piazza will not be a Met in 2006.

AP: Mike Moves On
Mike Fitzpatrick is reporting that the Mets failed to offer salary arbitration to Mike Piazza. Any team can sign him now without forfeiting a draft pick.

The Mets also declined to offer salary arbitration to relievers Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez. The Mets did offer Hernandez a contract and were waiting to hear back from his agent. He would have until midnight Wednesday to accept the contract, or he, too, will be gone.