Worth a look?

[Frayed Knot]

="duan"] Tigers released OF/DH Gary Sheffield. The club will eat all of the $14 million they owe him for 2009. Sheffield, 40, hit .225 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI in 114 games last season. He missed time with a shoulder and oblique issue, but was thought to be fully healthy this spring. Sheff is just one homer shy of 500."

The problem with Sheff here is that the OF part of that OF/DH designation pretty much left the station about two years ago.
Well that plus the fact that he's an asshole. Ranks behind maybe only Clemens in my list of MLB players I really dislike.

And how stoopid were the Tigers giving him that deal in the first place? I mean they traded live human beings to the Yanx just to get his 38 year-old self and then tacked on a larger deal then the one he already was under even though there was no No-trade clause incentive to make them do it. I called this one as stupid at the time.
Now you can tack this on to the Dontrelle deal (they gave him a contract boost after that trade too) and they're looking at eating a ton of money this year and have a reamed farm system to boot.

[Guest Edgy DC]

http://archives.cranepoolforum.net/5000/f1_t5080.shtml

Nice predition, Edgy.

[seawolf17]

="Edgy DC":2gczmn5v]Nice predition, Edgy.[/quote:2gczmn5v] But FK nailed it: ="FK":2gczmn5v]He should still be good for Detroit this year (how 'bout the fact that being sent to Detroit is no longer considered "banishment") but I'm not so sure I like him 3 years out.[/quote:2gczmn5v] LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 02 2009 01:33 PM http://www.seattlepi.com/scorecard/mlbnews.asp?articleID=180751 Intriguing. VEEEERY intriguing. (Seems to have been missed a lot-- and vocally, too-- wherever he's left. Delgado was a big fan of his, if memory serves...) metirish Apr 02 2009 01:35 PM A bit insulting that they dumped him to make room for Andru Jones. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 02 2009 03:58 PM Agreed. A Cura-crime. But seriously... we wouldn't rather have Catalanotto than Marlon? (1B/OF/As much a 2B as Marlon; faster, stronger and slightly younger. At minor-league prices, that's not something we'd be interested in?) Oh, but he's not the professional pinch-hitter that Marlon is: (Pinch-hitting, career) MA .275/.340/.413 (OPS .753) FC .289/.375/.423 (OPS .798) OlerudOwned Apr 02 2009 04:17 PM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]Agreed. A Cura-crime. But seriously... we wouldn't rather have Catalanotto than Marlon? (1B/OF/As much a 2B as Marlon; faster, stronger and slightly younger. At minor-league prices, that's not something we'd be interested in?) Oh, but he's not the professional pinch-hitter that Marlon is: (Pinch-hitting, career) MA .275/.340/.413 (OPS .753) FC .289/.375/.423 (OPS .798) I'm by no means a fan of Marlon, but that seems like a sort of unfair shot at anyone defending him. The general vibe I've been getting is that there's no reason to outright dump the guy without having anyone demonstrably better. Now we can argue that there is. Edgy DC Apr 02 2009 04:45 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 07:25 AM I have no problems with Cattle a Knotto. The kick in the gut that is getting released may be just what he needs to be an inspired bench player this year. He's a Long Islander and a solid walk man. Any defense I have for the Mets giving another look to Anderson is based on comparing him to other options in house, and their contracts allowing them to be parked while he cannot be. If we merely want somebody who did better last year, well, that would be almost everybody, I can't argue. My main concern with Frank C. would be that he hasn't played infield since 2002. Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 06:31 AM Back page of the Daily News: ON THE MENU Mets consider bringing Sheff aboard And then, as usual, the article itself explains that it's not likely to happen. Sheffield wants to play full time, the Mets are committed to Murphy, etc. metirish Apr 03 2009 07:24 AM That was a bad job right there by Rubin. Gwreck Apr 03 2009 10:33 AM Rubin doesn't write the headlines. Just typical Daily News idiocy there with the back page nonsense. metirish Apr 03 2009 10:42 AM The article was rubbish too. bmfc1 Apr 03 2009 11:07 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 11:07 AM The NY Post (yeah, I know), says that Sheffield is close to joining the Mets. On one hand, he provides the righty power bat off the bench they lack. OTOH, will he gripe about being a bench guy? (This should have a separate thread.) LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 11:07 AM Lennon, Sherman, ESPN 1050... this is disturbingly close to happening. (Of course, it could also be the same source filtered through different outlets, but, still...) Would this signing make Sheffield... A) 2009's George Foster or 2009's Richie Hebner or C) 2009's Kingman, Take 2/Bobby Bo, Take 2? Why? dinosaur jesus Apr 03 2009 11:16 AM 2009's Duke Snider, a class act from a real New York team showing the young Metsies how it's done? Maybe not. metirish Apr 03 2009 11:16 AM If Minaya wanted to sign a malcontent then he should have tired for Manny Ramirez . Fman99 Apr 03 2009 11:17 AM Newsday is saying it could happen as soon as tonight, as per Rotoworld. Blerch. metirish Apr 03 2009 11:19 AM Probably they will cut Anderson to make room which should cheer up several people here LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 11:20 AM ="dinosaur jesus":2l2zb8au]2009's Duke Snider, a class act from a real New York team showing the young Metsies how it's done? Maybe not.[/quote:2l2zb8au] Best case, in our DH-free league, he's 2009's 2007 Moises. BEST case. Still, I wouldn't mind having him around for interleague. Does the MLBPA still frown on timeshares? Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:24 AM I'm recalling the MOFo days, when Sheffield was trying to dickbag his way out of his Dodger contract. The Mets were widely considered the likeliest destination, as they almost always are when an expensive asshole needs a home (see Manny). The forum caught fire with the pro- and anti-Sheffield factions, until one out of every three threads was Sheffield related. After weeks of controversy, someone --- I think the poster then known as Leftfield --- looked at the back end of the forum and discovered the very last thread was about Sheffield, as was the very first. Twenty pages and twenty threads on each page. Wall to wall Sheffield. I'm not sure I can deal with a guy who carts around that sort of bullshit. Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 11:26 AM Now that we've got the Post, the D-News, Newsday, ESPN radio, and WFAN all reporting it's near a done deal, I guess it's near a done deal. Either that there's one full-o-shit source out there and the others are all copying each other while pretending they dug up the info on their own. Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:28 AM I'm still skeptical. His personality aside (for a moment) if he's willing to be a pinch-hitter, reserve player, then that's one thing. But if he's looking to take a job away from Daniel Murphy or Ryan Church, that's another. metirish Apr 03 2009 11:30 AM I would think that he pushes Murphy to the bench. Daniel is lovely and all but he is a rookie. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:37 AM Fuck that. Sheffield is ugly and ugly. And Murphy's rookie year is behind him. metirish Apr 03 2009 11:39 AM Not saying that's what I want but it seems likely to me. OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 11:41 AM Murphy's a better player at this point, and with his versatility, I'd say Tatis is a better option too. The signing does keep him out of Philly where he would fit much better: platooning with Ibanez or Werth to break up that huge string of lefties, hitting and fielding in a smaller ballpark. Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:44 AM He hit .225 last year. (He OBP'ed .326 and slugged .400.) 16 doubles and 19 homers in 418 at bats. Walked 58 times, struck out 83 times. Nothing special at all about that. No way would I sit Murphy and stall his progress for a year just to give some aging malcontent a shot at a milestone home run. He can replace Anderson if he wants, but not Murphy. OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 11:46 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 11:53 AM He's played a whopping 48 games in the field over the last 3 seasons. Total career Fielding Runs Above Average in the outfield for his career: -94.2 (On a related note, anybody check out the redesign of Baseball Reference. It's incredible.) Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:53 AM Here's what David Lennon is saying in Newsday: ]The Mets have contacted Gary Sheffield directly to gauge his interest in coming to New York and a person familiar with the situation said today that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight. Sheffield worked out yesterday at a college field in Tampa, as first reported by SI.com, and the Mets are considered to be his first choice, with the Phillies and Reds also showing interest. Note that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:56 AM And the (richest bitches) are his first choice. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 12:26 PM Having taken a few deep breaths, and looked at the numbers... I've reevaluated. Say what you will about the guy... even when he's relatively crappy, he's still of significant offensive value. His walk rate in the latter phase of his career has remained a plus-plus-- even last year, he was top-15 in the AL, ahead of guys like Brian Roberts, Damon, Abreu and A-Rod. He slugged .443 in two down years. If his bat speed has recovered even slightly since last year, he's an .800 OPS--with such a shayne punim, too!--on the bench. attgig Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM while his walk rate is good, it doesn't help much if he doesn't have any speed. can he really pinch hit? I just don't see it. Catalanotto would've been a better choice imo. we already have tatis, and evens sounds like he'll have a shot sometime during the year. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM Has he ever left a team without burning shit first? Braves? metsmarathon Apr 03 2009 12:38 PM sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254 i'm really hoping the mets aren't foolish enough to actually sign him. and that if they do, that they do not then compound the error by placing him higher in the depth chart than either murphy or church. Fman99 Apr 03 2009 12:41 PM ="metsmarathon":1p6sjfmz]sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254[/quote:1p6sjfmz] Wow. Those numbers cut me deep. I like him as a "kick Marlon to the curb" guy and to spell Church or Murph against a tough lefty, and as a power PH bat off the bench. But no way do I think they should be handing him a starting job of any kind, until "interleague DH" pops up as a choice. metirish Apr 03 2009 12:47 PM #16 is available...Pagan was the last to wear it... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 12:49 PM ="Edgy DC":3hf23mwu]Has he ever left a team without burning shit first? Braves?[/quote:3hf23mwu] I hope you meant that figuratively, because I don't think signing an arsonist when breaking in a new stadium is a good idea. metsmarathon Apr 03 2009 12:50 PM ="metsmarathon":2k3jrt6p]sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254 i'm really hoping the mets aren't foolish enough to actually sign him. and that if they do, that they do not then compound the error by placing him higher in the depth chart than either murphy or church.[/quote:2k3jrt6p] ok, i'm suffering a case of conflicting reports. on baseball prospectus' pecota cards, they have his 2008 EqA as 0.256. on their DT cards, they have it at 0.267. castillo's pecota card and DT card both show 0.261, and schneider's pecota and DT cards both say 0.256. and now i can't get back to the page that showed me the 0.257 for castillo. so i guess, take my numbers as approximate....? regardless, even at 0.267, that's no great shakes. Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 01:14 PM Sheff's a Met (acc to WFAN) Can't remember the last time I [u:25ntqmw0]Pre[/u:25ntqmw0]-disliked a Met player. duan Apr 03 2009 01:17 PM jesus wept. 400,000 is all he'll be paid and we've a starting outfield including 2 guys who're lefties and NEITHER of whom are locks to hit 20 home runs and a lefty firstbaseman too? I know you might feel he's a grumpy fucker, but if he can he the can of fire in his belly that Manny had for the dodgers last year then he's got plenty of potential to be a contributor and if he ISN'T we cut him and bring up Bobby Kielty!!!!!! John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 03 2009 01:17 PM If Anderson gets whacked here I can see it. OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 01:20 PM My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:25 PM Yeah his glove isn't great but neither is Murphy's or Church's defense that great. Sheff is a real gansta for Jerry Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 01:27 PM I'll disagree on Church. Compared to most rightfielders, I'm saying he's good. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:28 PM Yes he is good , better than we were led to believe I think.... G-Fafif Apr 03 2009 01:29 PM Ladies and gentlemen, your 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins! LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 01:30 PM Heyman has it, too. He's at his best when motivated (raking in a couple of previous contract years)... and if desperation doesn't motivate, what does? metirish Apr 03 2009 01:31 PM Sheffield always wanted to be a Mets player.......I'm sure of it... MFS62 Apr 03 2009 01:32 PM ="Edgy DC"] The Mets were widely considered the likeliest destination, as they almost always are when an expensive asshole needs a home (see Manny). A brief, but accurate, description. Later attgig Apr 03 2009 01:40 PM first milestone home run hit in citibank: Gary Sheffield - 500. he doesn't play at all while on the road, and only plays at home until 500 gets hit. he gets cut soon after batting .212 through the month of april. that's my prediction for what happens to gary. attgig Apr 03 2009 01:43 PM they still haven't made it official that marlon's the one getting cut, have they? RealityChuck Apr 03 2009 01:47 PM It's chump change to sign him. Doesn't work out? He gets released. It's a smart deal. It may not work out, but for the minimum, it's a cheap gamble for a significant upside. duan Apr 03 2009 01:55 PM ="OlerudOwned":3mofw6v8]My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense.[/quote:3mofw6v8] but right now, he'd be competing with Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson for a roster spot - it isn't hard to see him being quite a lot better then either of them. Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 01:57 PM Keeping a guy even though he sucks is more likely when you're on the hook for a big contract. Since the Mets will be paying Sheffield the minimum salary, that shouldn't be a problem. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:58 PM Ken Davidoff ] It will be interesting to see how Sheff would function in this Mets clubhouse. When he was with the Yankees, Sheffield knew that he couldn't cross Derek Jeter. Will Sheffield respect anyone in this clubhouse the same way? Probably not. But again - if he hits, his personality isn't much of an issue. If he doesn't hit, he's out. mind boggling OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 02:00 PM ="metirish"]Ken Davidoff ] It will be interesting to see how Sheff would function in this Mets clubhouse. When he was with the Yankees, Sheffield knew that he couldn't cross Derek Jeter. Will Sheffield respect anyone in this clubhouse the same way? Probably not. But again - if he hits, his personality isn't much of an issue. If he doesn't hit, he's out. mind boggling It has to all be a joke, right? Like, a game of one-upsmanship to see who drop the most ridiculous Jeter deification into a piece of professional journalism? Please? Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:05 PM I resolve to send a box of candy and a basket of fresh fruit to any sportswriter who leaves Jeter unchecked on his Hall-of-Fame ballot. metirish Apr 03 2009 02:05 PM Would even Sheffield cross these two ?...I think not Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:06 PM That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror. metirish Apr 03 2009 02:11 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror. OK , this one is more fierce LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 02:34 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":7llf1e9x]That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror.[/quote:7llf1e9x] More gay, si. More disturbing? Not in the least. And if Sheff doesn't play... is it because Jerry's racist? Nymr83 Apr 03 2009 02:42 PM i think this will end up being a distraction. my prediction: he won't hit enough to deserve to take significant ABs away from church or murphy in the outfield, he'll play a little more than he deserves too because of who he is, he'll still whine and cry about playign time, he'll be gone by July 1st. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 02:46 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 06:26 PM ="Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:48 PM I swear, sportswriting has reached a level of insanity I never would have imagined. Here's a fun fact about Gary Sheffield: He was the Comeback Player of the Year... in 1992! Seventeen years ago! Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 03:03 PM ="Nymr83":282zbt07]i think this will end up being a distraction. my prediction: he won't hit enough to deserve to take significant ABs away from church or murphy in the outfield, he'll play a little more than he deserves too because of who he is, he'll still whine and cry about playign time, he'll be gone by July 1st.[/quote:282zbt07] You know, a lot of Rogers and Hammerstein musicals are about a group of disparate people learning to live together --- farmers and ranchers, US servicemembers and South Seas islanders, townees and carnies --- and to thrive once they get past differences and find their united purpose. But you know --- before they could unify and prosper, they would have to take out the bad seed, face up to ol' Jud and give him his. Somebody not with the program had to be whacked. Maybe Shef will end up being the new George Foster. Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 03:09 PM He still could be enough of a RH threat w/good OBP to put a scare into opposing pitchers & managers - which is kind of what we need in a way. The problems are: - questionable (at best) defensive skills to the point where he may be marginally useable anywhere but in the batter's box -- something that's particularly true in an OF he's never seen with what looks like might be a tricky wall in spots - he reportedly only wanted to sign with a team that was going to give him significant ABs. Did they promise him that? -- If so that's something that can only come at the expense of either Murphy or Church - he's not only an ass, but he's one who will trash mgmt, teammates, the press, MLB as a whole, and probably Barack Obama if he's not getting what he wants -- and he often finds something to get pissed at (see points 1 & 2). Hopefully he got read the riot act before a deal was signed. Not that they couldn't drop him anyway but at least this way he knows that going in. metsguyinmichigan Apr 03 2009 03:10 PM So our first 500 homer celebration will be like our first 300 win celebration. A guy we don't like, but we'll take it! OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 03:41 PM ="Edgy DC"] ="By Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." I can only conclude that Sheffield is homeless, and looks forward to taking shelter in the now-abandoned facilities of the old Yankee Stadium. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 03:44 PM ]he's not only an ass, but he's one who will trash mgmt, teammates, the press, MLB as a whole, and probably Barack Obama if he's not getting what he wants -- and he often finds something to get pissed at (see points 1 & 2). Hopefully he got read the riot act before a deal was signed. Not that they couldn't drop him anyway but at least this way he knows that going in. He always seems to say this stuff on the way out the door. Maybe he's not so much a bad guy... as a bad breaker-upper? "Hey, Evans-- you have a big head! Big head!" Kong76 Apr 03 2009 03:55 PM FK: Can't remember the last time I Pre-disliked a Met player <<< I have to say this made me laugh out loud when I was lurking at work. Nymr83 Apr 03 2009 04:55 PM ="Kong76"]FK: Can't remember the last time I Pre-disliked a Met player <<< I have to say this made me laugh out loud when I was lurking at work. Tom Glavine Kong76 Apr 03 2009 05:00 PM Yeah, but two completely different types of dislike. Farmer Ted Apr 03 2009 05:13 PM Fun fact...Sheff and Derek Bell were little league teammates. I hope most similarities end there. batmagadanleadoff Apr 03 2009 05:24 PM ="duan":3d2r4ikm] ="OlerudOwned":3d2r4ikm]My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense.[/quote:3d2r4ikm] but right now, he'd be competing with Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson for a roster spot - it isn't hard to see him being quite a lot better then either of them.[/quote:3d2r4ikm] Yes. But will Sheffield go along with getting the amount of playing time -- and no more -- that would have otherwise gone to either Evans or Anderson? It seems that Sheffield would not have agreed to play for the Mets under those conditions. seawolf17 Apr 03 2009 06:47 PM ="Edgy DC"] ="Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." WAIT. Did an actual paid sportswriter actually write that? Holy fuck. I am so sick of this Yankee-loving bullshit. You have got to be kidding me. Hey, Red Sox and Rays, put that on your fucking bulletin boards, in case you need any more reason to knock those fuckers back into third place where they belong. seawolf17 Apr 03 2009 06:49 PM Oh, and you know what? I'm down with Sheffield. Bring it on, Gary! Welcome to the Mets! Make us proud! Kong76 Apr 03 2009 07:00 PM I'll feel better after a coupla three run ding dongs. Frayed Knot Apr 04 2009 05:55 AM ="Kong76":daiwlvuq]Yeah, but two completely different types of dislike.[/quote:daiwlvuq] Egg-Zactly! Actually, I never really disliked Glavine anyway but even so, there's 'pre-dislike' simply because a guy's an accomplished opponent and there's dislike because he comes across as a fuckin' asshole. Chipper, for instance, would be type A and I'd have no problem rooting for him in orange & blue. With Sheff on the other hand - while I'm not going to root for him to fail (an increasingly popular activity for some Met fans it seems) - it's going to be tough to get the warm and fuzzies going.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

http://www.seattlepi.com/scorecard/mlbnews.asp?articleID=180751

Intriguing. VEEEERY intriguing. (Seems to have been missed a lot-- and vocally, too-- wherever he's left. Delgado was a big fan of his, if memory serves...)

[metirish]

A bit insulting that they dumped him to make room for Andru Jones.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Agreed. A Cura-crime.

But seriously... we wouldn't rather have Catalanotto than Marlon? (1B/OF/As much a 2B as Marlon; faster, stronger and slightly younger. At minor-league prices, that's not something we'd be interested in?)

Oh, but he's not the professional pinch-hitter that Marlon is:

(Pinch-hitting, career)

MA .275/.340/.413 (OPS .753)

FC .289/.375/.423 (OPS .798)

[Guest OlerudOwned]

="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]Agreed. A Cura-crime. But seriously... we wouldn't rather have Catalanotto than Marlon? (1B/OF/As much a 2B as Marlon; faster, stronger and slightly younger. At minor-league prices, that's not something we'd be interested in?) Oh, but he's not the professional pinch-hitter that Marlon is: (Pinch-hitting, career) MA .275/.340/.413 (OPS .753) FC .289/.375/.423 (OPS .798)

I'm by no means a fan of Marlon, but that seems like a sort of unfair shot at anyone defending him. The general vibe I've been getting is that there's no reason to outright dump the guy without having anyone demonstrably better.

Now we can argue that there is.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I have no problems with Cattle a Knotto. The kick in the gut that is getting released may be just what he needs to be an inspired bench player this year. He's a Long Islander and a solid walk man.

Any defense I have for the Mets giving another look to Anderson is based on comparing him to other options in house, and their contracts allowing them to be parked while he cannot be.

If we merely want somebody who did better last year, well, that would be almost everybody, I can't argue.

My main concern with Frank C. would be that he hasn't played infield since 2002.

Edited April 2, 2009 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

Back page of the Daily News:

ON THE MENU
Mets consider bringing Sheff aboard


And then, as usual, the article itself explains that it's not likely to happen. Sheffield wants to play full time, the Mets are committed to Murphy, etc.

[metirish]

That was a bad job right there by Rubin.

[Gwreck]

Rubin doesn't write the headlines. Just typical Daily News idiocy there with the back page nonsense.

[metirish]

The article was rubbish too.

[bmfc1]

The NY Post (yeah, I know), says that Sheffield is close to joining the Mets.

On one hand, he provides the righty power bat off the bench they lack. OTOH, will he gripe about being a bench guy?

(This should have a separate thread.)

Edited April 3, 2009 by Guest

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Lennon, Sherman, ESPN 1050... this is disturbingly close to happening. (Of course, it could also be the same source filtered through different outlets, but, still...)

Would this signing make Sheffield...

A) 2009's George Foster

or

2009's Richie Hebner

or

C) 2009's Kingman, Take 2/Bobby Bo, Take 2?

Why?

[dinosaur jesus]

2009's Duke Snider, a class act from a real New York team showing the young Metsies how it's done?

Maybe not.

[metirish]

If Minaya wanted to sign a malcontent then he should have tired for Manny Ramirez .

[Fman99]

Newsday is saying it could happen as soon as tonight, as per Rotoworld.

Blerch.

[metirish]

Probably they will cut Anderson to make room which should cheer up several people here

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

="dinosaur jesus":2l2zb8au]2009's Duke Snider, a class act from a real New York team showing the young Metsies how it's done? Maybe not.[/quote:2l2zb8au] Best case, in our DH-free league, he's 2009's 2007 Moises. BEST case. Still, I wouldn't mind having him around for interleague. Does the MLBPA still frown on timeshares?

Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:24 AM

I'm recalling the MOFo days, when Sheffield was trying to dickbag his way out of his Dodger contract. The Mets were widely considered the likeliest destination, as they almost always are when an expensive asshole needs a home (see Manny). The forum caught fire with the pro- and anti-Sheffield factions, until one out of every three threads was Sheffield related. After weeks of controversy, someone --- I think the poster then known as Leftfield --- looked at the back end of the forum and discovered the very last thread was about Sheffield, as was the very first. Twenty pages and twenty threads on each page. Wall to wall Sheffield. I'm not sure I can deal with a guy who carts around that sort of bullshit.

Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 11:26 AM

Now that we've got the Post, the D-News, Newsday, ESPN radio, and WFAN all reporting it's near a done deal, I guess it's near a done deal. Either that there's one full-o-shit source out there and the others are all copying each other while pretending they dug up the info on their own.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:28 AM

I'm still skeptical. His personality aside (for a moment) if he's willing to be a pinch-hitter, reserve player, then that's one thing. But if he's looking to take a job away from Daniel Murphy or Ryan Church, that's another.

metirish Apr 03 2009 11:30 AM

I would think that he pushes Murphy to the bench. Daniel is lovely and all but he is a rookie.

Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:37 AM

Fuck that. Sheffield is ugly and ugly. And Murphy's rookie year is behind him.

metirish Apr 03 2009 11:39 AM

Not saying that's what I want but it seems likely to me.

OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 11:41 AM

Murphy's a better player at this point, and with his versatility, I'd say Tatis is a better option too. The signing does keep him out of Philly where he would fit much better: platooning with Ibanez or Werth to break up that huge string of lefties, hitting and fielding in a smaller ballpark.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:44 AM

He hit .225 last year. (He OBP'ed .326 and slugged .400.) 16 doubles and 19 homers in 418 at bats. Walked 58 times, struck out 83 times. Nothing special at all about that. No way would I sit Murphy and stall his progress for a year just to give some aging malcontent a shot at a milestone home run. He can replace Anderson if he wants, but not Murphy.

OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 11:46 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 11:53 AM

He's played a whopping 48 games in the field over the last 3 seasons. Total career Fielding Runs Above Average in the outfield for his career: -94.2 (On a related note, anybody check out the redesign of Baseball Reference. It's incredible.)

Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 11:53 AM

Here's what David Lennon is saying in Newsday: ]The Mets have contacted Gary Sheffield directly to gauge his interest in coming to New York and a person familiar with the situation said today that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight. Sheffield worked out yesterday at a college field in Tampa, as first reported by SI.com, and the Mets are considered to be his first choice, with the Phillies and Reds also showing interest. Note that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight.

Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 11:56 AM

And the (richest bitches) are his first choice.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 12:26 PM

Having taken a few deep breaths, and looked at the numbers... I've reevaluated. Say what you will about the guy... even when he's relatively crappy, he's still of significant offensive value. His walk rate in the latter phase of his career has remained a plus-plus-- even last year, he was top-15 in the AL, ahead of guys like Brian Roberts, Damon, Abreu and A-Rod. He slugged .443 in two down years. If his bat speed has recovered even slightly since last year, he's an .800 OPS--with such a shayne punim, too!--on the bench.

attgig Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM

while his walk rate is good, it doesn't help much if he doesn't have any speed. can he really pinch hit? I just don't see it. Catalanotto would've been a better choice imo. we already have tatis, and evens sounds like he'll have a shot sometime during the year.

Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 12:34 PM

Has he ever left a team without burning shit first? Braves?

metsmarathon Apr 03 2009 12:38 PM

sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254 i'm really hoping the mets aren't foolish enough to actually sign him. and that if they do, that they do not then compound the error by placing him higher in the depth chart than either murphy or church.

Fman99 Apr 03 2009 12:41 PM

="metsmarathon":1p6sjfmz]sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254[/quote:1p6sjfmz] Wow. Those numbers cut me deep. I like him as a "kick Marlon to the curb" guy and to spell Church or Murph against a tough lefty, and as a power PH bat off the bench. But no way do I think they should be handing him a starting job of any kind, until "interleague DH" pops up as a choice. metirish Apr 03 2009 12:47 PM #16 is available...Pagan was the last to wear it... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 12:49 PM ="Edgy DC":3hf23mwu]Has he ever left a team without burning shit first? Braves?[/quote:3hf23mwu] I hope you meant that figuratively, because I don't think signing an arsonist when breaking in a new stadium is a good idea. metsmarathon Apr 03 2009 12:50 PM ="metsmarathon":2k3jrt6p]sheffield's equivalent average last year of 0.256 puts him in the company of luis castillo 0.257 and brian schneider 0.254 i'm really hoping the mets aren't foolish enough to actually sign him. and that if they do, that they do not then compound the error by placing him higher in the depth chart than either murphy or church.[/quote:2k3jrt6p] ok, i'm suffering a case of conflicting reports. on baseball prospectus' pecota cards, they have his 2008 EqA as 0.256. on their DT cards, they have it at 0.267. castillo's pecota card and DT card both show 0.261, and schneider's pecota and DT cards both say 0.256. and now i can't get back to the page that showed me the 0.257 for castillo. so i guess, take my numbers as approximate....? regardless, even at 0.267, that's no great shakes. Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 01:14 PM Sheff's a Met (acc to WFAN) Can't remember the last time I [u:25ntqmw0]Pre[/u:25ntqmw0]-disliked a Met player. duan Apr 03 2009 01:17 PM jesus wept. 400,000 is all he'll be paid and we've a starting outfield including 2 guys who're lefties and NEITHER of whom are locks to hit 20 home runs and a lefty firstbaseman too? I know you might feel he's a grumpy fucker, but if he can he the can of fire in his belly that Manny had for the dodgers last year then he's got plenty of potential to be a contributor and if he ISN'T we cut him and bring up Bobby Kielty!!!!!! John Cougar Lunchbucket Apr 03 2009 01:17 PM If Anderson gets whacked here I can see it. OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 01:20 PM My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:25 PM Yeah his glove isn't great but neither is Murphy's or Church's defense that great. Sheff is a real gansta for Jerry Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 01:27 PM I'll disagree on Church. Compared to most rightfielders, I'm saying he's good. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:28 PM Yes he is good , better than we were led to believe I think.... G-Fafif Apr 03 2009 01:29 PM Ladies and gentlemen, your 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins! LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 01:30 PM Heyman has it, too. He's at his best when motivated (raking in a couple of previous contract years)... and if desperation doesn't motivate, what does? metirish Apr 03 2009 01:31 PM Sheffield always wanted to be a Mets player.......I'm sure of it... MFS62 Apr 03 2009 01:32 PM ="Edgy DC"] The Mets were widely considered the likeliest destination, as they almost always are when an expensive asshole needs a home (see Manny). A brief, but accurate, description. Later attgig Apr 03 2009 01:40 PM first milestone home run hit in citibank: Gary Sheffield - 500. he doesn't play at all while on the road, and only plays at home until 500 gets hit. he gets cut soon after batting .212 through the month of april. that's my prediction for what happens to gary. attgig Apr 03 2009 01:43 PM they still haven't made it official that marlon's the one getting cut, have they? RealityChuck Apr 03 2009 01:47 PM It's chump change to sign him. Doesn't work out? He gets released. It's a smart deal. It may not work out, but for the minimum, it's a cheap gamble for a significant upside. duan Apr 03 2009 01:55 PM ="OlerudOwned":3mofw6v8]My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense.[/quote:3mofw6v8] but right now, he'd be competing with Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson for a roster spot - it isn't hard to see him being quite a lot better then either of them. Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 01:57 PM Keeping a guy even though he sucks is more likely when you're on the hook for a big contract. Since the Mets will be paying Sheffield the minimum salary, that shouldn't be a problem. metirish Apr 03 2009 01:58 PM Ken Davidoff ] It will be interesting to see how Sheff would function in this Mets clubhouse. When he was with the Yankees, Sheffield knew that he couldn't cross Derek Jeter. Will Sheffield respect anyone in this clubhouse the same way? Probably not. But again - if he hits, his personality isn't much of an issue. If he doesn't hit, he's out. mind boggling OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 02:00 PM ="metirish"]Ken Davidoff ] It will be interesting to see how Sheff would function in this Mets clubhouse. When he was with the Yankees, Sheffield knew that he couldn't cross Derek Jeter. Will Sheffield respect anyone in this clubhouse the same way? Probably not. But again - if he hits, his personality isn't much of an issue. If he doesn't hit, he's out. mind boggling It has to all be a joke, right? Like, a game of one-upsmanship to see who drop the most ridiculous Jeter deification into a piece of professional journalism? Please? Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:05 PM I resolve to send a box of candy and a basket of fresh fruit to any sportswriter who leaves Jeter unchecked on his Hall-of-Fame ballot. metirish Apr 03 2009 02:05 PM Would even Sheffield cross these two ?...I think not Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:06 PM That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror. metirish Apr 03 2009 02:11 PM ="Benjamin Grimm"]That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror. OK , this one is more fierce LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 02:34 PM ="Benjamin Grimm":7llf1e9x]That photo is even more gay than the one of Alex Rodriguez snogging his reflection in the mirror.[/quote:7llf1e9x] More gay, si. More disturbing? Not in the least. And if Sheff doesn't play... is it because Jerry's racist? Nymr83 Apr 03 2009 02:42 PM i think this will end up being a distraction. my prediction: he won't hit enough to deserve to take significant ABs away from church or murphy in the outfield, he'll play a little more than he deserves too because of who he is, he'll still whine and cry about playign time, he'll be gone by July 1st. Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 02:46 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Apr 03 2009 06:26 PM ="Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." Benjamin Grimm Apr 03 2009 02:48 PM I swear, sportswriting has reached a level of insanity I never would have imagined. Here's a fun fact about Gary Sheffield: He was the Comeback Player of the Year... in 1992! Seventeen years ago! Edgy DC Apr 03 2009 03:03 PM ="Nymr83":282zbt07]i think this will end up being a distraction. my prediction: he won't hit enough to deserve to take significant ABs away from church or murphy in the outfield, he'll play a little more than he deserves too because of who he is, he'll still whine and cry about playign time, he'll be gone by July 1st.[/quote:282zbt07] You know, a lot of Rogers and Hammerstein musicals are about a group of disparate people learning to live together --- farmers and ranchers, US servicemembers and South Seas islanders, townees and carnies --- and to thrive once they get past differences and find their united purpose. But you know --- before they could unify and prosper, they would have to take out the bad seed, face up to ol' Jud and give him his. Somebody not with the program had to be whacked. Maybe Shef will end up being the new George Foster. Frayed Knot Apr 03 2009 03:09 PM He still could be enough of a RH threat w/good OBP to put a scare into opposing pitchers & managers - which is kind of what we need in a way. The problems are: - questionable (at best) defensive skills to the point where he may be marginally useable anywhere but in the batter's box -- something that's particularly true in an OF he's never seen with what looks like might be a tricky wall in spots - he reportedly only wanted to sign with a team that was going to give him significant ABs. Did they promise him that? -- If so that's something that can only come at the expense of either Murphy or Church - he's not only an ass, but he's one who will trash mgmt, teammates, the press, MLB as a whole, and probably Barack Obama if he's not getting what he wants -- and he often finds something to get pissed at (see points 1 & 2). Hopefully he got read the riot act before a deal was signed. Not that they couldn't drop him anyway but at least this way he knows that going in. metsguyinmichigan Apr 03 2009 03:10 PM So our first 500 homer celebration will be like our first 300 win celebration. A guy we don't like, but we'll take it! OlerudOwned Apr 03 2009 03:41 PM ="Edgy DC"] ="By Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." I can only conclude that Sheffield is homeless, and looks forward to taking shelter in the now-abandoned facilities of the old Yankee Stadium. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 03 2009 03:44 PM ]he's not only an ass, but he's one who will trash mgmt, teammates, the press, MLB as a whole, and probably Barack Obama if he's not getting what he wants -- and he often finds something to get pissed at (see points 1 & 2). Hopefully he got read the riot act before a deal was signed. Not that they couldn't drop him anyway but at least this way he knows that going in. He always seems to say this stuff on the way out the door. Maybe he's not so much a bad guy... as a bad breaker-upper? "Hey, Evans-- you have a big head! Big head!" Kong76 Apr 03 2009 03:55 PM FK: Can't remember the last time I Pre-disliked a Met player <<< I have to say this made me laugh out loud when I was lurking at work. Nymr83 Apr 03 2009 04:55 PM ="Kong76"]FK: Can't remember the last time I Pre-disliked a Met player <<< I have to say this made me laugh out loud when I was lurking at work. Tom Glavine Kong76 Apr 03 2009 05:00 PM Yeah, but two completely different types of dislike. Farmer Ted Apr 03 2009 05:13 PM Fun fact...Sheff and Derek Bell were little league teammates. I hope most similarities end there. batmagadanleadoff Apr 03 2009 05:24 PM ="duan":3d2r4ikm] ="OlerudOwned":3d2r4ikm]My concern is less that they have him, and more that they'll keep him even if he sucks. Well, that and defense.[/quote:3d2r4ikm] but right now, he'd be competing with Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson for a roster spot - it isn't hard to see him being quite a lot better then either of them.[/quote:3d2r4ikm] Yes. But will Sheffield go along with getting the amount of playing time -- and no more -- that would have otherwise gone to either Evans or Anderson? It seems that Sheffield would not have agreed to play for the Mets under those conditions. seawolf17 Apr 03 2009 06:47 PM ="Edgy DC"] ="Tom Singer / MLB.com"]The possibility of playing his home games within miles of Yankee Stadium might also appeal to Sheffield. What? "Well, the Giants were offering me a second year at $4 million guaranteed, but Mets were giving me a chance to be moderately near Yankee Stadium. I couldn't pass that up." WAIT. Did an actual paid sportswriter actually write that? Holy fuck. I am so sick of this Yankee-loving bullshit. You have got to be kidding me. Hey, Red Sox and Rays, put that on your fucking bulletin boards, in case you need any more reason to knock those fuckers back into third place where they belong. seawolf17 Apr 03 2009 06:49 PM Oh, and you know what? I'm down with Sheffield. Bring it on, Gary! Welcome to the Mets! Make us proud! Kong76 Apr 03 2009 07:00 PM I'll feel better after a coupla three run ding dongs. Frayed Knot Apr 04 2009 05:55 AM ="Kong76":daiwlvuq]Yeah, but two completely different types of dislike.[/quote:daiwlvuq] Egg-Zactly! Actually, I never really disliked Glavine anyway but even so, there's 'pre-dislike' simply because a guy's an accomplished opponent and there's dislike because he comes across as a fuckin' asshole. Chipper, for instance, would be type A and I'd have no problem rooting for him in orange & blue. With Sheff on the other hand - while I'm not going to root for him to fail (an increasingly popular activity for some Met fans it seems) - it's going to be tough to get the warm and fuzzies going.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'm recalling the MOFo days, when Sheffield was trying to dickbag his way out of his Dodger contract. The Mets were widely considered the likeliest destination, as they almost always are when an expensive asshole needs a home (see Manny).

The forum caught fire with the pro- and anti-Sheffield factions, until one out of every three threads was Sheffield related. After weeks of controversy, someone --- I think the poster then known as Leftfield --- looked at the back end of the forum and discovered the very last thread was about Sheffield, as was the very first.

Twenty pages and twenty threads on each page. Wall to wall Sheffield.

I'm not sure I can deal with a guy who carts around that sort of bullshit.

[Frayed Knot]

Now that we've got the Post, the D-News, Newsday, ESPN radio, and WFAN all reporting it's near a done deal, I guess it's near a done deal.

Either that there's one full-o-shit source out there and the others are all copying each other while pretending they dug up the info on their own.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm still skeptical.

His personality aside (for a moment) if he's willing to be a pinch-hitter, reserve player, then that's one thing. But if he's looking to take a job away from Daniel Murphy or Ryan Church, that's another.

[metirish]

I would think that he pushes Murphy to the bench. Daniel is lovely and all but he is a rookie.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Fuck that. Sheffield is ugly and ugly.

And Murphy's rookie year is behind him.

[metirish]

Not saying that's what I want but it seems likely to me.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Murphy's a better player at this point, and with his versatility, I'd say Tatis is a better option too. The signing does keep him out of Philly where he would fit much better: platooning with Ibanez or Werth to break up that huge string of lefties, hitting and fielding in a smaller ballpark.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He hit .225 last year. (He OBP'ed .326 and slugged .400.)

16 doubles and 19 homers in 418 at bats. Walked 58 times, struck out 83 times.

Nothing special at all about that. No way would I sit Murphy and stall his progress for a year just to give some aging malcontent a shot at a milestone home run.

He can replace Anderson if he wants, but not Murphy.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

He's played a whopping 48 games in the field over the last 3 seasons.

Total career Fielding Runs Above Average in the outfield for his career: -94.2
(On a related note, anybody check out the redesign of Baseball Reference. It's incredible.)

Edited April 3, 2009 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

Here's what David Lennon is saying in Newsday:

]The Mets have contacted Gary Sheffield directly to gauge his interest in coming to New York and a person familiar with the situation said today that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight. Sheffield worked out yesterday at a college field in Tampa, as first reported by SI.com, and the Mets are considered to be his first choice, with the Phillies and Reds also showing interest.

Note that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight.

[Guest Edgy DC]

And the (richest bitches) are his first choice.