To show how badly the Mets wanted to sign Piazza, they came to an agreement with him in three days, beginning last Wednesday, after going nearly five months without having any contract discussions.

When they signed Piazza to a seven-year contract after the 1998 season, the Mets set a time frame to win a championship in the prime of his career.

That question mark in left may be answered when the Mets trade Todd Hundley, who has become an extra body now that they have signed Piazza.

Of the seven members of the Mets who are eligible to become free agents, Phillips said the club's priority was to sign Piazza, Leiter and Cook, but he added, "We have not closed the door on anybody."

Wilpon, who has a close relationship with Hundley, said at the time that even if it took $100 million to sign Piazza, he would do it.

"In order to sign Piazza, he's going to want to know what's going on, what the situation is, how it all fits together," Phillips said.

Wilpon said the Mets will definitely try to sign Piazza.

The only pressure now may be on the Mets' management to sign Piazza to a contract that extends past the end of this season.

When Phillips signed Piazza to the seven-year deal in October 1998, he expected Piazza to catch for more than half the contract.