Sheffield to the Mets?

by Ian Casselberry on Apr 3, 2009 3:30 PM EDT in News Comment 5 comments

Gary Sheffield takes batting practice in Dunedin, Fla. Three days after being released by the Detroit Tigers, Sheffield is reportedly ready to sign with the New York Mets. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

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Has the Sheff Watch come to an end in its third day? According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Gary Sheffield is close to signing with the New York Mets. (David Lennon of Newsday is reporting that an agreement could be reached tonight.)

As we know, Sheffield wants to go where he'll play the most, not just because he thinks he can still play, but because he's looking for a new contract after this season and wants a chance to show what he can do. And it appears that the Mets are ready to offer him more of an opportunity than the Phillies were prepared to. (It also probably wouldn't hurt to keep a potentially potent bat away from a division rival.)

Where the Phils and Reds had part-time openings in right and left field, respectively, the Mets have question marks in both of their corner outfield spots, with an untested David Murphy in left and underperforming Ryan Church in right. Sheffield could fill in for either player against a left-handed pitcher, or conceivably take over entirely if one of them falters.

The Mets are satisfied Sheffield can play at least a satisfactory outfield, according to Sherman's report in the NY Post, after sending two scouts to watch him throw yesterday. But it could be interesting to see how Sheff deals with that right field overhang in the new Citi Field.

And if this is the last stop for Sheffield, playing for the team his uncle Dwight Gooden debuted with 25 years ago might put kind of a nice bow on what's been an impressive career.

Thanks to Blake of The Spot Starters for the heads-up, along with MLB Trade Rumors.

UPDATE: SI.com's Jon Heyman says it's now official, and the Mets will announce they've signed Sheffield this afternoon.

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Comments

chef and what this means for the tigers

If the mets sign him are the Tigers getting out of 14 million? I would try to make a deal with him if I was the mets…i would try to restructure his contact to games played..I know he is guaranteed 14 million even if he doesnt take an ad bat anywhere this year..but the fact the HE WANTS TO PLAY…could help in contract discussions..I mean if i am a GM i would be using that to your favor..i would say we want to take a chance on you but we dont want to lose 14 million on someone who is going to bad .200 and play 60 games..If you play 120 games you get your full 14 million if you hit over 260 you get your full 14 million..something of that nature..he is not that good anymore and will never earn 14 million dollars this year

by PBURGTIGER on Apr 3, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’s guaranteed the 14 million no matter what. It’s in the bank. He can sign for the minimum with the Mets. Not sure what kind of contract he signed. I’d be shocked if they signed him for more than 1 year. He has a home in NY and his wife has connections there, so they’ll get the #500 celebration. They can have it. It’s a shame we had to cut him, but Detroit needs more than he could give.

by densogirl on Apr 3, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its only a one year deal and, as stated above, he gets $14 m no matter what.
These deals happen all the time and the new teams always sign for minimums, because the Tigers pay the rest. The only way it would be more, is if there was a seriously valuable player who had others bidding for his services. In this case, the Mets would have to pay Sheffield $14,000,001 for the Tigers to be off the hook and they’d obviously be complete idiots to do that for a 5th backup outfielder and PH who’s coming off his career high for K’s.

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by rings on Apr 5, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Mets: Putting Ageing Sluggers Out to Pasture Since 2007

I think we can start making predictions about the Met outfield for the next deade:

The History –
2007/2008: Moises Alou
2009: Gary Sheffield

The Future?
2010: Ken Griffey Jr.
2011: Manny Ramirez
2012: Raul Ibanez
2013: Magglio Ordonez
2014: Jermaine Dye
2015: Vladimir Guerrero
2016: Carlos Guillen
2017: Torii Hunter
2018: J.D. Drew
2019: Milton Bradley
2020: Jason Bay

by MacRae on Apr 3, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs