BREAKING NEWS: Detroit Tigers acquire Gary Sheffield

by ESPNemeth on Nov 10, 2006 10:04 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Well, I guess we can put the Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee rumors to rest. The Tigers found their big bat on Friday, acquiring Gary Sheffield from the New York Yankees. The Tigers will give up Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett.

Sheffield was limited to just 39 regular season games this year after suffering a wrist injury. However, in each of the three seasons prior to 2006, Sheffield topped 30 HR and 120 RBI.

According to Jim Leyland, the Tigers will primarily use Sheffield as the DH. He will also be used to spell Magglio Ordonez and Craig Monroe in the outfield.

The Tigers and Sheffield agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract extension through 2009.

Pretty shocking news. What do you guys think of the trade?

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Interesting

trade for the Tigers. I don't know much about the prospects but initially seems like a bunch to give up until you realize that the Tigers were probably dealing from one of their areas of strength which is pitching.

So does Sheff solve any glaring weakneses...probalby not I mean the Tigers could hit; however, the reality is that if he comes back and hits let us say 25+ Hr and has 100 or so RBI's that protects against any drop off in production from the likes of Mags, Pudge (year-older), Inge, etc. and if they continue then WOW......pitching wise, well I am not so sure that any of the prospects were going to add anyhting to next year's club anywya...now three years from now...well we will see but with the team that the Tigers have and to see how tough the AL Central is, I think a good move.

by simbaa on Nov 11, 2006 12:02 AM EST reply actions

GGGGGRRRRRRREEEAAT!

Really great move for the Tigers, who FINALLY get the big bat they need at DH.

I'd say this does address a huge weakness, simbaa. Power wasn't' necessarily a problem for this club, but getting on base was. They haven't just gotten a guy who can hit 30+ homers, but also a guy who'll post a .380+ on-base percentage. Sheff's in the Pujols mould of power hits who walks a lot and doesn't strike out very much. He'll look great in the middle of the Motown lineup.

If Sheff's wrist is healthy, this keeps Detroit at the top of the AL Central. Dealing from strength to get Sheffield, I think this is a much smarter move than overpaying for OBP challenged sluggers like Lee and Soriano (the Tigers already have a bunch of those).

Well done, Dombrowksi.

by Jurgen @ Bless You Boys on Nov 11, 2006 10:53 AM EST reply actions

You'll like

Sheff for the 1st year, maybe the 2nd year, but you will not be able to stand him by the 3rd year. He has averaged less than 3 years for every team he has been on.

by ReLaunch on Nov 11, 2006 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

No matter

I'd much, MUCH rather deal with a cranky Sheff in year 3 than deal with an overrated Soriano or Lee in year 5.

With Pudge, Magglio, and Guillen, this is a team that needs to maximize their "win-now" potential over the next 2-3 years. Sheff helps them do just that. The worst thing Dombrowski could have done was stand pat.

And when those oldsters are off the books, Dombrowski will still have Bonderman, Verlander, Granderson, Zumbaya, Maybin, Miller as the core to build around.

Assuming Sheff's wrist is healthy (and it's a big IF), it's a darned good deal.

by Jurgen @ Bless You Boys on Nov 12, 2006 10:19 AM EST reply actions

I agree

Sheff is good, but there will be things that will drive you crazy about him. Zero situational hitting (always trying to hit a homer), not good defense (lucky he will be the DH), etc. Anyways, how are these prospects that the Tigers gave up? Is Sanchez the real deal?

by ReLaunch on Nov 12, 2006 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

Disagree

The Tigers gave up some promising arms, but nobody who projects to be a #1 like Verlander or Bonderman or even Andrew Miller (or an ace reliever like Zumaya). Sanchez has the stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation guy (nothing to sneeze at), but he's got to make it through a season healthy before he truly lives up to that potential. The Yanks are wise for retooling but the Tigers have pitching prospects to spare.

As for Sheff, he hit .364 with runners in scoring postion in '05, and .325 with RISP in '04. Seems fine to me.

Can't blame the guy for swinging for the fences. The guy hits homers. A lot of homers. What do you want him to do, bunt?

Besides, Sheff strikes out less AND walks more (and has more extra base hits and grounds in to no more double plays) than Guillen, Pudge, Granderson, Ordonez. He won't cost you outs.

A healthy Sheffield is immediately the best hitter in the lineup, and the 3rd or 4th best hitter in the AL Central (behind Hafner and Thome if they're healthy, too, but for my money ahead of Mauer, Morneau, Dye, and Konerko). I just hope the same team doctors that checked-out Pudge and Magglio gave Sheff the OK.

by Jurgen @ Bless You Boys on Nov 12, 2006 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

Hey,

I'm just telling you as I see it. I actually did like Sheff in NY, but am happy he is gone now. I'm sure we will talk about this again during the season after you have seen him daily.

by ReLaunch on Nov 13, 2006 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

Also,

situational hitting doesn't mean bunting, it means maybe moving a runner over with a ball the other way. It means getting a fly ball with a runner on third. What he usually does do in those situations is still try to hit a home run. That was my point.

by ReLaunch on Nov 13, 2006 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

Thames?

What does this mean for Marcus Thames? He's a guy who didn't see much time during the WS (and maybe the entire postseason) and with this trade will just have more competition for playing time. I wonder if he will be traded?

by FLATigersFan on Nov 12, 2006 12:50 PM EST reply actions

Latest for Thames

From everything I have seen, the Tigers haven't been shopping Thames. They are saying he is a valuable guy to have around. I guess they see him as a good fourth outfielder. I don't buy this myself. I think it means they will have to move either Monroe or Thames. I don't know which will be moved, but you can't have a 4th or 5th outfielder that is iffy in the field at best. I see us moving at least one of those two and trying to keep around Gomez as a defensive replacement.

by chrvoel on Nov 14, 2006 12:44 PM EST up reply actions