Gary Sheffield still wants to play. Actually, he wants to play a lot. Ten days ago, a source told MLB.com's Bill Ladson that Sheffield was still looking for an everyday job. But ask Jermaine Dye how easy it is for aging sluggers to find jobs these days. Dye is five years younger than Sheffield and hit 17 more homers last year, but he hasn't seen an offer he likes. It is not surprising to see the 41-year-old Sheffield unsigned at this point in the offseason.
His defense is far from passable (-12.7 UZR last year in 500 innings), but he adds value with his bat. Sheffield, who is just 311 hits away from 3000, posted a .276/.372/.451 line in New York last year.
The Mets have not contacted Sheffield, but the slugger told the New York Post earlier in the month that he had "things on the table" from other clubs. Let's take a look at how Sheffield would fit on some MLB rosters, starting in the American League, where he can DH:
- The Blue Jays have Jose Bautista and Randy Ruiz competing for at bats in the outfield and at DH, so the competition is not overwhelming. There's very little chance the rebuilding Jays could turn Sheffield into something valuable at the deadline (that applies to any club).
- The Rays already have one positionless player. Pat Burrell joins Matt Joyce, Fernando Perez, Gabe Kapler, Reid Brignac, Sean Rodriguez and Dan Johnson in pursuit of limited roster spots, so Sheffield doesn't appear to be a fit in Tampa.
- Like the Rays, the Red Sox, Indians, Royals, Angels, Rangers and A's have little need for an extra DH.
- The Marlins don't have much outfield depth after Chris Coghlan, Cameron Maybin and Cody Ross.
- The Cardinals and Astros have limited outfield depth, too.
- The Nationals have been adding veterans all offseason long, but they have enough outfielders already.
There doesn't appear to be an everyday job out there for Sheffield. At this point, it appears likely that he'll have to retire, wait for someone to get injured, or accept a minor league deal and a limited role.
I’d say zero chance whatsoever that the Jays would consider him, we already have enough DH types in Ruiz/Lind/Dopirak/etc… to cover every ab from here to eternity.
Go to Japan. When Mars gets a baseball team, go to Mars. He has upset every single team he was worked for. He has burned every single bridge he has looked at. Gary, Manny Rameriz nad Milton Bradley are always neck and neck for biggest A-Hole in baseball
just hang it up old man. As long as you didn’t do roids, you should make it in the HOF.
Gary Sheffield December 2003
Admitted Using: Steroids (The Clear, The Cream, Andriol)
The Story: Sheffield testified before the BALCO grand jury that he had used the undetectable BALCO steroids and some ‘red beans’ which lawyers identified as Andriol. Sheffield said that the drugs were obtained directly from Bonds noting that Bonds’ trainer, Greg Anderson, was never involved. Sheffield’s confidential testimony was leaked to the San Fransisco Chronicle; excerpts were published in a Dec. 3, 2004 article entitled What Bonds told BALCO grand jury.
Guy can still swing. Some club is going to lose their DH to injury (Texas, Anaheim, Minnesota, NYY) and his bat could be useful on a cheap one year deal.
No chance in MN. Two guys already competing for DH time in Kubel and Thome – both would have to get hurt for them to go looking for another DH-type.
Those 2 are both left handed. Sheffield could be useful as a DH they use against lefties, and a bench bat. His OPS was almost .200 points higher than Kubel’s against lefties last season.
Those 2 are both left handed. Sheffield could be useful as a DH they use against lefties, and a bench bat. His OPS was almost .200 points higher than Kubel’s against lefties last season.
No chance in MN. Two guys already competing for DH time in Kubel and Thome – both would have to get hurt for them to go looking for another DH-type.
The white sox have atleast 150+ AB’s at DH to give to a power bat… Sheffield could possibly at some power, as well as some diversity to the team. If he signs a contract knowing his role, his distraction will be limited. That said, we may be able to find another batter to give some at bats to who has more power.
Sheffield knowing his role? Hahahahaha
i’ve said many times that he would be a good fit with the reds have him and gomes platoon i know its two righties but gomes kills lefties and sheff can hit righties but he would have to take a minor league deal but the only bad thing is dealing with him in left but i would like to see it the leadership of rolen/o cab/fransico and arroyo and just have sheff shut his mouth and play its not like we need his leadership we have our own
i’ve said many times that he would be a good fit with the reds have him and gomes platoon i know its two righties but gomes kills lefties and sheff can hit righties but he would have to take a minor league deal but the only bad thing is dealing with him in left but i would like to see it the leadership of rolen/o cab/fransico and arroyo and just have sheff shut his mouth and play its not like we need his leadership we have our own
Sheff can definitley still hit. Hes just got to come to terms with the fact that he can’t play the field everyday. I just don’t know why he can’t swallow hes ego and be a DH/pinch hitter/part time LF. He will still get enough at-bats to make a difference. Look at his numbers last year on a bad mets team. Hes clearley still got pop left.
Sheff can definitley still hit. Hes just got to come to terms with the fact that he can’t play the field everyday. I just don’t know why he can’t swallow hes ego and be a DH/pinch hitter/part time LF. He will still get enough at-bats to make a difference. Look at his numbers last year on a bad mets team. Hes clearley still got pop left.
Sheffield was trying to strongarm the Mets into giving him an extension last year. He has to realize he is over the age of 40 and nobody wants him to be an everyday player. I wonder if anybody wants him at this point. The Tigers released got rid of him last year and ate a lot of money.
i hope nobody signs this bum. he was a cancer in the clubhouse for detroit and vastly underperformed. he just does get he isnt the star player he used to be.