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By Tim Dierkes [April 25, 2008 at 12:44pm CST]
Because of shoulder woes, 39 year-old DH Gary Sheffield hasn't hit well since July of last year. He's an elite slugger when he's on but terrible when he's off. In the midst of a third cortisone shot, Sheffield suggested that retirement is not out of the question. He's dealing with all kinds of pain and won't undergo another surgery. Retirement sounds like a worst-case scenario though. After all, he is set to earn $14MM in '09.
If Sheff retires or hits the 60-day DL, talk of Barry Bonds or Mike Piazza could heighten. The Tigers, however, have consistently denied interest in Bonds. They could simply shift Carlos Guillen to DH and Brandon Inge to third if Sheffield is out of the picture.
they SHOULD move cabrera to dh, or incorporate the yankees new ban on junk food. i personally wouldnt mind picking up either bonds or piazza. for bonds there would be an escalator clause, with a way of getting the money back if he goes to prison. for piazza, it'd just be a normal contract, but probably a low money amount. now as a redsox fan, it hurts to say this, but good job yankees for getting Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett for Sheff. getting three players in/around their top thirty prospects for an old (by baseball standards) slugger
Posted by: fgsfsfbbbrd | April 25, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Sanchez, Whelan, and Claggett all have a long history of injuries. Good chance at least two will flame out before even reaching the bigs. Good job by the Tigers for basically getting Sheffield for free!
Posted by: gZusLuvsU15 | April 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I don't buy the talk. When Sheffield first had shoulder trouble as a Yankee, he insisted he would retire before having surgery. The following offseason he had surgery.
Posted by: yanksfan | April 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM
If sheffield retires this year, I will cry and my fantasy team will be screwed
Posted by: theMATTador | April 25, 2008 at 01:42 PM
I hear that Mattador. Not a fan of Sheffield but I need him plus I'd like to see that Tigers lineup at full strength.
Posted by: fitz | April 25, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Players whine about retiring all the time when they get hurt. Then they start to feel better physically, which makes them feel better mentally, and they play out their careers. So, although Sheff is 39 and closer to the retirement zone; well, I’ll wait a while before I believe he is done…
Posted by: darkstar1661 | April 25, 2008 at 02:10 PM
I can't take any more Inge whining if Sheff does retire and the Tigers bring in a Bonds/Piazza type player.
Posted by: bjsguess | April 25, 2008 at 02:12 PM
I hear you darkstar it is just natural for a human. Its the same situation when your favorite team loses 10 out of 12 and you say to yourself...."God this team is awful I really hate them I wont even root for them anymore."
Then they take 2 out of 3 and you come back to your senses. When youre hurt, like you said it brings you down, and you probably start to feel a bit sorry for yourself, get overwhelmed at the work you will have to do to recover etc, and it can be an emotional and draining thing. People called Pedro Martinez a bitch for crying that one time, but picture coming back from injury, working your ass off to get back, al;ready pitching in pain and then realizing that you need rotator cuff surgery and you have to start all over with that long, grueling, and boring rehab for the forseeable future.
Posted by: nrmax88 | April 26, 2008 at 11:45 AM