Morning Prowl: Sheff, Sheff, Sheff!

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 1, 2009 9:10 AM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Andy Martino was told by a Phillies team official that the chances of signing Gary Sheffield were "very slim." He goes on to list four reasons why Sheff might not be the best fit with the Phils.

(via Phillies Nation)

Scratch the Blue Jays off the list of potential destinations for Sheff. According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, Toronto manager Cito Gaston and GM J.P. Ricciardi don't see an available spot on their roster. As with the Tigers, the Jays have quite a few guys to play outfield and DH.

But as Mike McClary asked me via instant message last night, wouldn't it have been a hell of a thing for Sheff to hit his 500th home run next week against the Tigers, maybe off Justin Verlander?

Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan finds Sheffield oddly charming, and credits that outspokenness - as well as his skills, obviously - with helping him to accumulate nearly $170 million during his 21-year major league career. (Maybe Sheff should be at the G-20 Summit.)

Fangraphs' Dave Cameron thinks the Phillies are better off seeking an outfielder who can help them defensively, rather than adding Sheffield to a "guys who belong at DH" carousel with Raul Ibanez and Matt Stairs.

Lynn Henning thinks the Tigers still made the right move in trading for Sheffield. And Blake points out that neither of the pitchers the Tigers gave up for him have done much for the Yankees.

Peter Abraham says the renewed emphasis on youth and versatility over veteran sluggers like Sheffield is an indication of how much baseball has changed since drug testing was instituted.

Aaron Gleeman thinks the Tigers won't be a better team with Marcus Thames and his low on-base percentage taking over the bulk of Sheffield's role. (Billfer agrees on the OBP aspect.)

The New York Times' Jack Curry ponders Sheffield's Hall of Fame chances. The numbers alone probably put him in, but will voters wonder if steroids played a role in that production?

We end today's Morning Prowl with Sheff sporting a Ghostbusters t-shirt on his way out of the clubhouse a couple of weeks ago in Lakeland. Big League Stew's David Brown chatted with him about that. Great photo, too.

(I don't know how I missed that the first time it was posted.)

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Comments

That is a classic photo!

In regards to the Bilf and Mr. Gleeman worrying about Country Strong’s OBP, how many right hander’s do the Tigers normally face? I would say close to 65-70 of the starters they will face will be righty. Which leads me to think that Larish will be getting the bulk of the AB’s vs them.

Just my thoughts….

by Zappatista on Apr 1, 2009 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

Trade Marcus

If we are truly gonna be more flexible, Thames should be traded too. DH Guillen and Maggs and Cabrera more often and let some real outfielders help Curtis shorten up the gaps.
Our next move after that is to cut Willis so he and Sheff can chill out in FLA together on Illitch’s dime and talk about how good they used to be.

by Spiderdad on Apr 1, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Dont Forget About Cutting.....

……NATE ROBERTSON!!!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 1, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

BYE BYE MR ROBERTSON!!!!

……PLEASE CUT THIS WASTE OF SPACE!!!!…….I CANT STAND TO WATCH A SOMEOE UNDER 30 THROW 85 MPH FASTBALLS!!!!…..PLEASE MR.Illitch step in and tell DAVE that this guy is aweful!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 1, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

Nate's not going anywhere.

by Zappatista on Apr 1, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

And THATS HARD TO BELIEVE!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Apr 1, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nate’s not under 30, either.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Apr 1, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

One last comment about Sheffield

One last comment about Sheffield. Lets hope that Peter Gammons’ prediction a couple of weeks ago on his blog that Sheffield is “a serious comeback of the year candidate” is way off base now that he is no longer a Tiger. I’m ready to read about more positive things like Rick Porcello making the opening day roster.

by Michigan and Trumbull on Apr 1, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

Your wish has been granted!!

Him and Ryan Perry!

by densogirl on Apr 1, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Raburn...Hessman!

Hessman outrighted? One of you smarter folk can again explain this, but he has to pass waivers, right?

Raburn, he needs to go somewhere that will let him play. I like him, but there is no room in D-Town.

by Zappatista on Apr 1, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

Hessman has to clear waivers...

and if he does, he said he would accept an assignment to Toledo. He also said he’s going to explore his options playing for Japan. How Rod Allen-esque.

24 out of 25 positions have been announced. Brent Clevlen and Jeff Larish are still waiting to hear about where they belong—most likely DD is still trying to work a deal for Brent Clevlen. Talk about the drama of this Spring Training!

Any idea of when Porcello’s first start would fall?

by peazgrl on Apr 1, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions