As the Mike Piazza era likely draws to a close, Mets owner Fred Wilpon views 2005 as a step forward. "I think it's progress. I'm not sure [what] success is unless you are in the playoffs," Wilpon said Thursday following a news conference to launch the SportsNet New York (SNY), the cable network that will broadcast most of his team's games starting next year. In the first season since Omar Minaya took over as general manager and Willie Randolph became manager, Pedro Martinez flourished and Carlos Beltran foundered for much of the year. Piazza, now 37 and nearing the end of a $91 million, seven-year contract, is likely entering his final weekend with the Mets. "Our people are now assessing what they need and when they need it and how they need it," Wilpon said. "I don't know where they're going to come out. The likelihood is that Mike can be served best in the American League. We've heard that. I guess he has to make that decision as well."