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« Rosenthal On Sheffield, Repko, McPherson | Main | Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sheffield, Rays, Red Sox, Yankees »
Gary Sheffield Rumors: Friday
It seems that the Mets may join the Phillies and Reds in the Gary Sheffield sweepstakes. According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, "Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials." Rubin cautions that an internal meeting about the subject has yet to take place. Rubin believes Sheffield would have to start with a bench role, and the Mets might have to release Marlon Anderson to clear that spot. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone would like Anderson to be replaced with Frank Catalanotto instead.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post also thinks Sheffield is on the Mets' radar, and does believe they "have held some in-depth discussions on if they should sign the guy."
How about the Dodgers? Ramona Shelburne of the L.A. Daily News talked to Joe Torre, who said it wouldn't make sense.
Click here to catch up on yesterday's Sheffield happenings.
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Why are the national league teams so enticed by someone who is a clubhouse cancer, who can't catch up to a fastball and can't play in the field anymore. Whoever signs Sheff will release by July!
Posted by: wadetee | April 03, 2009 at 08:51 AM
This is beyond stupid. If the Mets wanted to add a bench player, they should sign Frank Catalnotto and release Marlon Anderson. Don't go near Sheffield.
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 03, 2009 at 09:01 AM
The benefit for the Mets would be more keeping him away from the Phillies. That being said... Sheffield wouldn't accept the limited role the Mets would give him. It would stunt Murphys growth. And in a clubhouse that is "gangsta" with very little Chemistry, the last thing you need is another cancer.
Posted by: Russell | April 03, 2009 at 09:19 AM
I would think Geoff Jenkins makes more sense for the Mets.
He's a lot younger, had only the one bad year, is a decent defender, has zero baggage, is being paid by the Phillies, and if he fails, you still have the option of going to Murphy.
Jenkins won't hit like Sheffield is capable of, but is probably a better all around choice at this point in both careers...
Posted by: notin | April 03, 2009 at 09:37 AM
You hate to predict a decline but you have to think Sheffield is losing it a bit. He hit .265 in 2007 and .225 in 2008. He sucked in Spring Training and was kicked off a team that is trying to win meanwhile needing only one HR to hit 500.
Hey the Mets built a rotunda for a guy that never really played for their team. Why not claim the fame to Sheffield's 500 HR's?
Posted by: Russell | April 03, 2009 at 09:46 AM
" And in a clubhouse that is "gangsta" with very little Chemistry, the last thing you need is another cancer."
Where are you getting this from? The Mets clubhouse chemistry has been very good over the last 3-4 years.
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 03, 2009 at 10:38 AM
"This is beyond stupid. If the Mets wanted to add a bench player, they should sign Frank Catalnotto and release Marlon Anderson. Don't go near Sheffield."
I really think that front offices are a bit mesmerized by Sheffield's name, because he was such a prolific slugger that they seem to forget how far he's fallen since his prime.
Sheffield is a bad defensive player no matter where he plays, and his hitting ability is questionable at this point.
Catalanotto would give you a solid defensive corner outfielder and first baseman, as well as a consistent hitter with good discipline and a little pop.
Teams should be lining up for the chance to sign a guy like Cat to their bench, he's a pretty good piece.
Posted by: scribbletone | April 03, 2009 at 11:12 AM
“I really think that front offices are a bit mesmerized by Sheffield's name, because he was such a prolific slugger that they seem to forget how far he's fallen since his prime.
Sheffield is a bad defensive player no matter where he plays, and his hitting ability is questionable at this point.”
Like I said in the other Sheffield post, I find it interesting that the only GMs with any interest are those from the NL which have not seen him struggling on a daily basis the last few years. The AL clubs seem to want nothing to do with him at all though, and that is telling.
Also, Sheffield has played 39 games (poorly) in the Outfield over the last 3 years. That is out of 286 games played (where 486 were possible). How does anyone, and I mean anyone, think he can be an outfielder at this point? NL teams showing interest are in for a big surprise, and when his bat doesn’t even begin to make up for his lack of ability on (or to stay on) the field, they will realize it was an ill-advised roster move from the very start.
The only team that makes any sense to me what so ever is Toronto. They have a lack of depth for the OF/DH with young/oft-injured players slated to begin with. He would find playing time for the Jays, and they have the ability to DH him. But they don’t want anything to do with him. Every other team is either in the NL (where I cant see him playing at all) or have a good enough 4th OF/DH that Sheff isnt worth the person you would have to cut to add him in.
Posted by: SuzysMan | April 03, 2009 at 11:35 AM
SuzysMan-
Totally agree about all of that. The last time Sheffield played the outfield fulltime, he was 36, and he played horribly (-26.8 UZR). Now he's 40, has hardly played the outfield in three years, and he's supposed to be adequate defensively?
There literally seems to be zero logic behind the move, other than the fact that now they can run to their fans and shout, "We signed GARY SHEFFIELD!!!!"
Posted by: scribbletone | April 03, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Yeah I agree, Sheffield is an awful defensive option plus he's always one reporter away from insulting Jose Reyes because Jerry decides to talk in private with him. The Mets look fine to me on paper. I haven't paid very much attention this spring though. OPENING DAY CANT WAIT
Posted by: RoyOswaltSteroidFree | April 03, 2009 at 01:29 PM
LOL The Mets want to play him in right? He could barely play in Left Field at Minute Maid. I'm not even convinced he could. The Mets have a decent DH when they play the Yankees and a very interesting storyline.
Posted by: RoyOswaltSteroidFree | April 03, 2009 at 01:37 PM