piatt's best year was 1999 when he won the triple crown and minor league player of the year award at third base. he became an outfielder because of the a's present third baseman, eric chavez, and that was the only opening on the a's. he hit .299 in 60 games in 2000 with 5 home runs and 5 triples. in 2001, he got viral meningitis, but survived. he was designated for assignment by the a's in august 2003 and was claimed off waivers by tampa bay. in 2004, he went to cleveland, but retired before the season.