Phillies In Position For Sheffield, But Playing Time Is Factor
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, April 02, 2009 11:46 AM | Comments: 6
Posts, Rumors
Plenty of things coming in about Gary Sheffield, who clears waivers at 1 p.m. and could be locked up right after.
David Murphy thinks the Phils are longshots to land Sheffield:
The only place he would get to play in the field would be left, perhaps spelling Ibanez every now and then against left-handed pitchers. But the Phillies view Ibanez as an everday player, as evidenced by the every day money they gave him. So for Sheffield to sign with the Phillies, he would have to be content with being the team’s right-handed bat off the bench.
John Fayman of the Cincinnati Enquirer doesn’t think he’ll go to Cincinnati, per Dusty Baker:
Based on what Dusty Baker said this morning, I would think it’s a long shot that the Reds sign Gary Sheffield:
“I’m sure he has some offers. I called Walt (Jocketty) for permission to make the call. I made the call. Walt talked to Mr. Castellini. I talked to Jim Leyland because (Sheffield) hasn’t played outfield in a long time. His teammates liked him. He’s straightforward and says what he wants. That’s what he gets publicity for. But he told me he’s quiet and off to himself on the clubhouse.
“I don’t know if we’re in the running or not. He wants playing time.”
Looks like it’s playing time, playing time, playing time, which means the Phils aren’t quite in position to land him. Supposedly the three teams interested are the Phils, Reds and Braves, neither of which could give him the time he wants. Meanwhile the Braves are only mildly interested. If it’s just the Phils and Reds, the Phils would win; then again, Sheffield will hold out and wait for an offer that includes more playing time. An American League team, such as the Blue Jays, might be in the cards.
Posts: 0 Justin
Just a little tidbit from Jayson Stark for anyone who hasn’t read his latest column on ESPN.com:
Before the Phillies traded Ronny Paulino to the Giants (who then dealt him to Florida), the Mets and Marlins were also interested. I surveyed four scouts Saturday on the Paulino-for-Jack Taschner deal. They all voted it a steal for the Phillies. “Good thing the Phillies traded Paulino when they did,” said one. “The more they showcased him, the worse he got.”
Posted: 11:53 AM on April 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Richie
Missanelli putit best yesterday…Game Situation…Dobbs is in, the other team brings in a lefty specialist…Charlie can either counter with Miguel Cairo or Gary Sheffield…who would put enough fear in them to bring a righty in? If not then they leave the lefty in to face our core of lefties in the lineup depending upon where we are in the order, but we have lefty hitters all over. We absolutely need a power righty bat off the bench, so who better than Sheff? Don’t give me the clubhouse BS either….
Posted: 12:39 PM on April 2, 2009
Posts: 0 TJ
Give us Sheff on a league min. deal. It would be so hard to try to strategize around our lineup.
Posted: 01:08 PM on April 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Brooks
I don’t Sheffield believes that he still can’t contend for MVP honors. He does not seem like the type to sit or sit quietly.
Sheffield has always come accross as one of the ultimate “self” guys in the ML today, to me anyway. I am glad he wont be discussed further. This team is too much a unit to deal with something like that would be counter productive. Not too dissimilar to the talented Bobby Abreau (not really comparing the talent of these 2, more the attitudes), he can find a better fit.
Posted: 01:15 PM on April 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian D
I’ve heard that former teammates overwhelmingly liked the guy versus those who viewed him as a cancer. With that being said, why in the world has an AL team not come forward with interest (DH)?
Posted: 01:44 PM on April 2, 2009
Posts: 0 estrada
he’s a clubhouse cancer.
Posted: 03:37 PM on April 2, 2009