One name that didn’t make my list of available impact hitters is Gary Sheffield. Sheff was, of course, out for most of the year because of surgery on his left wrist. Using his 2005 work Sheffield would be maybe the 10th best hitter available, whether through trade or free agency.
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According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, the Yankees plan to pick up Sheffield’s $13MM option for 2007 and then trade him. He mentions the Angels, Orioles, Cubs, Giants, Astros, and Rangers as suitors.
One year, $13MM is a fine low-risk contract for a possible .900ish OPS slugger. Sheffield doesn’t play right field all that well at age 38, but he can still be considered for that position. Left field and first base would work as well. In addition to Madden’s list, here are some non-AL East teams that could have interest: Indians, Tigers, White Sox, and the Mets.
