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Gary Sheffield

Sheffield And The Mets

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Word from Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey is that the Mets might be a good fit for Gary Sheffield.  Apparently the team’s COO Jeff Wilpon is quite fond of Sheff.  There are several other reasons why this could work; check out Healey’s post.

On a related note, Newsday reports that Brian Cashman has a Sheffield deal in place but has yet to pull the trigger.  A trade is described as "inevitable," with the Cubs, Phillies, Rangers, Indians, Padres, Giants, Braves, and Astros as possible suitors.  The Cubs would have to find a new spot for Jacque Jones; perhaps he would be a component of the deal as the Yanks expressed interest in him last summer.

And The Offseason Begins

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The Cardinals have been crowned the unlikely world champs, so now it’s time for all baseball fans to offically focus on 2007.  Here’s a roundup of the latest rumors.

With the Tigers’ season over, the consensus among local papers seems to be that they will trade some of their excess starting pitching for a slugger, possibly a first baseman.  Some folks think Jeremy Bonderman’s postseason performance (3.10 ERA in 20 innings) was a sign that he will take it to the next level in ’07.  Others think it’s time to trade him with his value so high.  Possible trade targets:  Mark Teixeira, Todd Helton, Richie Sexson, Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, and Pat Burrell.  It’s certainly feasible that Brandon Inge, Nate Robertson, or Craig Monroe could be included in a trade.

We’ll know by November 11th whether Aramis Ramirez will become a free agent.  Right now, he’s not close to a deal with the Cubs.  While Ramirez’s current deal is often cited as two years and $22.5MM, the third year is pretty easily guaranteed at $11MM.  He just needs to play 270 games over the first two seasons.  We hear a lot about the Dodgers and Angels as Ramirez’s suitors.  The Dodgers would force top prospect Andy LaRoche to move from third base if they sign Ramirez.  Other teams that could have interest: the Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Rangers, Giants, and Padres. 

The Sheffield Saga continues, with the Astros and Indians entering the mix.  A one-year rental from the Tribe would be a great fit in my mind.

Cubs To Target Hiroki Kuroda, Gary Sheffield?

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Some interesting rumors coming from Cubdom, ideas that surprisingly don’t seem too foolish.  At least compared to last year, when the budget was spent on middle relievers, Jacque Jones, Glendon Rusch, and Neifi Perez.

The first one comes from the Chicago Tribune.  Paul Sullivan indicates that the Cubs may turn their focus to Japanese hurler Hiroki Kuroda instead of Daisuke Matsuzaka.  Not that Matsuzaka isn’t the better pitcher; he certainly is.  But Kuroda won’t require a posting fee, and he posted the best ERA (1.85) in Japan’s Central League.  Kuroda also posted a 6.9 K/BB ratio, which is awesome.  If Hendry can snag Kuroda for an under-the-radar two-year, $15MM deal it wouldn’t be a bad move.  Of course, it’s not a guarantee that Kuroda wants to pitch in the United States as of right now.

Second, Joel Sherman names the Cubs as a strong possibility for Gary Sheffield.  We’ve all read Sheff’s comments, about putting up a huge stink if the Yanks pick up his option and then trade him.  But as Sherman says, Sheffield has always been like this.  He’s still got a lot of reasons to play and play hard in 2007.  It’d be a low-risk acquisition with .900 OPS potential.  Maybe an Angel Guzman type does the trick?  Maybe a little more, but it won’t be requiring Rich Hill like some other sluggers would.  From the Cubs’ point of view, where would Sheffield play?  Left and right field seem locked in with Matt Murton and Jacque Jones. 

Sheffield A Hot Commodity

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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.

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. 

Olney: Would Yanks Exercise Sheff’s Option?

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With Bobby Abreu now under contract for 2007, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Yankees would not exercise Gary Sheffield’s $13MM option.  He seems poised to head up a small group of free agent right fielders.

However, Buster Olney makes a good argument for the Yankees to exercise his option even with Abreu in the fold.  Remember, the Yankees are a team Olney knows well; he wrote a book about them.  Sure, Sheffield may not be worth the full $13MM next year.  But one of New York’s competitive advantages is its ability to take on salaries.  How many teams would salivate at the idea of getting Sheff on a one-year deal to minimize their risk? Think Theo Epstein wouldn’t jump on that?  It’s like last winter’s Furcal contract, only better.

After considering Olney’s argument, I realize that it would be silly to let a premium player walk away from a reasonable short-term contract just because of a position logjam.  As many have speculated, Sheffield could learn to play first base. 

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