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Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, April 03, 2009 03:37 PM | Comments: 51
News, Posts
The Phillies did not win the Sheffield Sweepstakes. But the Mets did.
Jon Heyman reports the Mets have signed Gary Sheffield, paying him the pro-rated $400K. Sheffield will likely be the Mets’ fourth outfielder, spelling left-handed Ryan Church time as part of a platoon.
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$6.25 million
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Posts: 0 Ped
Good. He’ll be cancer for them.
Posted: 03:42 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
SNY and SI’s Jon Heyman reporting Mets get Gary Sheffield.Mets ONLY responsible for 400 Grand for him.I’m not really sold on him as of yet….however a 4th outfielder and experience on the bench should help the Amazins a lot.SURE his Avg and Offense has caught up to him and a .178 Avg in S/T.But anyway good luck gary on your potential final shot.
Posted: 03:44 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Gavin
I agree with Ped. Sheff is an idiot and way past his prime. He’ll fit right in with the rest of the Mutts.
I wonder if there’s any chance the Phils would trade for Gary Matthews Jr? If the Angels ate a large portion of his salary he’d be a great fit.
Posted: 03:45 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Robbi P
Can you say another Moises Alou?
Posted: 03:50 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Ben
Can’t wait til he’s asked to comment on the Mets choking ways. Should be a fun old time in New York. He’ll probably bash the Yankees as well at some point being back in New York and all. And for any Met fan that doesn’t think their team has holes just look at this signing and the idea that it makes them better just proves the point. Sheffield is old and a shell of his former self and its still an improvement. I feel bad for Ryan Church. He can do no right no matter how well he plays, but he’s still a Met so I really don’t feel that much for him. I can guarantee Sheff will hit #500 in a Met uniform though.
Posted: 03:52 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Brett
I went to the Sunday afternoon game when the Angels were in town this past season, and Matthews, Jr. started in left field that day. Some time in the third or fourth inning he gave the left field stands the finger. We booed him for the rest of the game.
I don’t like that guy. It was just unnecessary, and not classy.
Posted: 03:52 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Can’t wait to see Sheffield, Reyes and everyone else on that team having fun in that dugout!
Posted: 03:54 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Sheffield hitting No. 500 with a Mets uniform will be the purest example of everything that’s wrong in baseball.
Posted: 03:57 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
It’s not a bad move for the Mets at all. The current team is a bunch of chokers with awful team chemistry so no big change there. Adding a decent stick from the right side isn’t bad considering Church can’t hit lefties to save his life.
Posted: 03:58 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
This is SUCH a Mets move. Desperate, not well thought out, and unnecessary. This guy is going to lead Reyes down the wriong path I can already see it. The Mets needed to sign a charachter guy to play in that outfield and show David Wright how to be a leader…someone like, oh, say Raul Ibanez! The Phillies went and got the class guy with Ibanez (VERY SMART MOVE for at least two of those three years) and the Mets get a guy like Sheffield, total clubhouse cancer….
Posted: 04:01 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
So who will replace Jenkins now?
Posted: 04:04 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 estrada
i dont know why u guys are bashing this move..they got him for LEAGUE MINIMUM, he’s replacing marlon anderson on the bench…and if he’s complete garbage by june..guess what? he’s released…no harm really done.
Posted: 04:07 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
my hunch is theyll trade for joh willingham or baker from colorado eventually. for kendrick…something like that.
Posted: 04:07 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
but hes not the type of PERSON you need in that clubhouse
Posted: 04:09 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Ben
It’s actually a good move for the Mets, but I’m not sure how good of a move it actually is. It certainly doesn’t hurt the Mets.
Posted: 04:10 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 estrada
Ben: exactly, it’s a move thta doesnt hurt them and COULD make them better..which is why its a good move.
Geoff: you’re right, he’s not the type of person u want in the clubhouse,but if he helps this team…u can bet that everythign wil be alright.
Posted: 04:12 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
Geoff, phils are out of the running for Baker because the Rockies are asking for too much for a guy that needs to clear waivers in order to be sent down, he’ll be dfa’d soon and he can be had for nothing. Willingham maybe, Wily Mo Pena wouldn’t be a bad call either, he’s got a big stick when he makes contact, plus he’s still young, could be a good bat.
Posted: 04:18 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 psujoe
who gets the 25th spot over Jenkins?
Posted: 04:18 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 NJ
My first thought is oh crap, the Mets are a cancerous team but if he’s half a sheffy then the Mets just cut the Phils advantage in depth.
Posted: 04:20 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Don M
“Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to Sheffield directly recently to explain how he’d fit with the team. Meanwhile, several Phillies players have contacted Sheffield to lobby him to sign.”
The deal isn’t official yet, maybe Jamie Moyer calling SHeffield will bring him our way??
Posted: 04:23 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Pick your poison….Marlon Anderson or Gary Sheffield.For 400 Grand,I’ll take Sheffs experience any day of the week…..TWICE on Sunday.Is he a malcontent,OF COURSE he is however you add him to the bench and he’s STILL Gary Sheffield.If he becomes Rickey Henderson circa 2000 for the Mets than in the words of Russ Salsburg “Bye Bye,So Long,Farewell”.
Posted: 04:24 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Perhaps we are forgetting something… Sheffield wants a decent amount of playing time. Besides the 400,000 dollars, there has to be some type of deal in which both sides agreed that he will get enough time playing there –meaning he won’t be a bench guy. After all, that’s probably why he signed with the Mets, and not with the Phillies or the Reds. So Sheffield will be a notable presence in the Mets clubhouse, wheter that’s for good or bad (most likely bad, in my opinion)… He’s NOT just gonna be a powerful right-handed bat off the bench…
If you don’t give the guy enough playing time, it could turn pretty ugly.
Posted: 04:25 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 estrada
Don M. that’s rather hypocritical. you just called him another aging veteran…or another moises alou..yet if jamie moyer calls him, you want him?
hmmm
also, the deal is confirmed, so i don’t know what ur quoting.
Posted: 04:26 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Gavin, is Gary Mathews Jr. available? Most intriguing idea for Phillies to consider. A switch hitter with some pop in his bat and can play all three OF positions. Good speed on the basepaths. With Sarge’s help, it wouldn’t take much to persuade him to become that 4th outfielder for the Phillies. And with Pop looking on, he be well behaved. ;-)
Posted: 04:27 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Gary Matthews Jr. is the 5th highest paid OF in all of baseball and yet he’s the 5th best OF on that team. What a terrible, terrible contract that was.
Posted: 04:29 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Fran
haha i just looked at the comments on metsblog.com about this and they are allllll pissed
Posted: 04:32 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
Bruce, GM Jr. is available but it’ll take a lot for the Angels to eat most of his contract as he’s another Adam Eaton, no one wants the burden of his contract, and if they’re going to eat his contract they want something in return, more than likely asking for a decent prospect or proven player in return.
Posted: 04:32 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Gavin
GMJ is the 5th OF for the LAA and he wants out. He is owed 30 more mill over the next 3 years, so it would have to be an assload of $$$ taken on by the LAA for us to even look at him.
Posted: 04:39 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geiff
Sarge Jr would be a good get IF and only if the Angels ate almost all of his contract. But then again, hes mad because he doesnt want to be a 4th or 5th guy, BUT maybe hed make an exception to be close to his dad.
Posted: 04:40 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
If should Mathews Jr be released in the same manner as Geoff Jenkins, would the Angels be responsible for most if not all of his salary? I know that it’s not likely to go that way with the unhappy camper but the possibility is there? After all, he has a no trade clause in his contract.
Posted: 04:41 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geiff
Id be ok with Willingham or WMP.
Posted: 04:41 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Travis
It’s good the Phillies didn’t sign Gary Sheffield. The phillies are very high on team chemistry which makes this a really good club. The mets are good but they could be even better if they were dedicated to some chemistry. The only team guy I see on the mets is david wright but no chemistry around. Sheffield will probably spell Ryan Church in LF and DH in interleague action. Sheffield will probably get some dingers but he’ll hurt the chemistry sooner or later. Mets management needs to start bringing in chemistry/team guys. Well, we probably thought at least once since the sheffield rumor started that we’ll cheer for the guy, but now like all the mets he’ll be booed. Anyways a good move by the phillies not signing sheffield. The mets will get attention when sheff hits that 500 bomb but in the end I think the phils will get the last laugh in november when the phils win the WS.
Posted: 04:47 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
Willingham seems more durable than Pena, but Pena seem to be a better hitter, but he cant stay healthy.
Posted: 04:47 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
I wasn’t for Sheffield… I don’t think he’s a good fit here but it’s a good move for the Mets. They have holes at both corner outfield positions. Sheffield could help them… do I think he will make a huge difference? No, but it’s worth $400,000 to have lightning in a bottle on the bench (a la Matt Stairs). I wouldn’t take him HERE because we don’t need that kind of potential headache. The guy is a lock for the hall… he has a lot of pride (deservingly, so)… he’s going to be asked to take a significant reduction in PT and I don’t know how he’ll respond. I do know that we don’t need any distractions. He should get a few more AB’s in NY so it’s a better fit. I don’t think this move tilts the balance of power. The Phils are still the favorites, in my opinion.
Posted: 04:52 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
“The Mets plan to give him significant playing time. They’d only have to pay $400K and would consider Sheffield an option in both outfield corners.” (mlbtraderumors.com)
Posted: 04:55 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
Bruce, like you said it’s not likely that the Angels release Sarge Jr. Mainly because there are multiple years left on his contract as opposed to Jenkins who was in the final year of a deal. So he’s not going anywhere unless he’s traded, look for a deal similar to Thome where the Angels eat a sizable amount of the salary but get a decent return on him.
Posted: 04:56 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Justin
And just so everyone knows I’m NOT comparing Sarge Jr. to Thome, just the contracts are similar.
Posted: 04:56 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 estrada
Rumor in NY Radio is that Philly REALLY wanted Sheff and Rollins was calling sheff to convince him
Posted: 04:58 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 mike
Great move by the mets. He is a experience player who will help them, not a every day player put him in couple of games a week, he will win them some games.
Posted: 05:00 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Woodman
Typical Muts player….. will fit right in with that dysfunctional band of losers. Can’t wait for the “crash & burn”!
Posted: 05:14 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Chuck P
It’s Pat Burrell appreciation night… only fitting that it falls on a day that saw alternating treacherous thunderstorms and bright sun.
Posted: 05:25 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Mr. Met
Why are Phillies fans more concerned about what the mets do, rather than what their own team does? You’ve won a Championship, and guess what? Regardless of all of our chokes and late September swoons, you will always ride our coat tails (even with a World Series Title). Good luck defending your title with Chan Ho Park as your number 5. Met fans have already seen that movie, and we know how it ends. Good luck this year.
Posted: 05:58 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Sheffield will get hurt the first month of the season as he has been hurt the past two years. He will not hit stride all year. He will not help the Mets, but will hit his 500th homer and then realize it’s time to retire.
Posted: 06:34 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Mr. Met why are you so concerned with what Phillies fans have to say on their own fan site. How can you even ask why we are concerned about what the mets do. Look at it this way, were not on your fan sites commenting. seems like your the one with problems.
oh ps were world champions, youre still chokers. thats why we ride your “coat tails” were not chokers so we dont make the news as much. we didnt blow one of the biggest leads in september……twice.
Posted: 06:53 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Matt
Mr. Met Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Why are Phillies fans more concerned about what the mets do, rather than what their own team does? You’ve won a Championship, and guess what? Regardless of all of our chokes and late September swoons, you will always ride our coat tails (even with a World Series Title). Good luck defending your title with Chan Ho Park as your number 5. Met fans have already seen that movie, and we know how it ends. Good luck this year.
———————————————————————————-
Well, you seem concerned enough about how the Phillies to come here. I love how your entir pathetic fanbase is so bitter that you’re actually trying to devalue a championship. Guess what? Nobody really gives two shits about the Mets in their own city, so what makes you think the Phillies are riding their coat tails. And we’ll enjoy Chan Ho Park. You on the other hand can enjoy Livan Hernandez, Luis Castillo, Fernando Tatis, Ryan “What day is it?” Church, Brian Schneider, and the regression of Fernando Tatis. It’ll be a looooooooooooong season at Shitty Field.
Posted: 07:25 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Mr. Met
…..But you have lost the most games as a franchise in Baseball history. Winning a World Series is pretty big news. Its that the Phillies (and their fans for that matter) are too dumb to realize that they have already surpassed the Mets on the field, but still feel the need to engage in the trash talk off of it (Hamels on our radio station in NY calling us choke artists in November). Our swoons still, and will always overshadow your World Series victories. So as I said, ride our coat tails to a 3rd place finish this year behind us (in 1st) and the Braves. And believe me, there are plenty of Phillies fans that flood the NY fan sites. You guys are the ones that act like you have a chip on your shoulder coming off a losing season. Again, good luck to you.
Oh and P.S. As a fan at Citi Field (our new home), you have access to be literally 7-8 feet away from the Visiting pitcher as he is warming up in the bullpen. Cant wait to see how that plays out when your boys (Hamels, Lidge etc) are getting their work in to come into games… hahahahaha
Posted: 07:31 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Matt
So the Phillies are going to finish behind the Braves who have an overrated rotation that will play out just like it did last year and a shallow bullpen, and what could be the weakest offense in the vision, and the Mets who have their own rotation questions, holes in the corner OF positions(God help Carlos Beltran when Sheffield is in the field), a lineup dependant on a mid-30s declining 1st baseman, a journeyman, head case and bench player platoon in RF, Luis Castillo and no depth in any are whatso ever?
The Phillies have some questions no doubt(Moyer, Hamels’ elbow, RH bat off the bench), but compared to the Mets and Braves they look pretty damn good. Remember, they won 92 games with Kendrick and Eaton in the rotation until August, Utley and Rollins played with injuries and everybody not named Brad Lidge had years below their career averages, so it’s natural to assume most of them will have better years and no reson they aren’t capable of 95 wins. And yeah let me tell you, the NY Mets have some intimidating fans, that’s why they were able to beat the Marlins the last two years at home in a pennant race……..what they lost? I’ll take the team that was 7-0 at home in the postseason last year as being the harder place to play, and since the Mutts missed the playoffs, you know who I’m talking about.
Posted: 07:44 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
So Hamels is going to be warming up in the bullpen to come into a game? Well you dont know much about baseball. Hamels is a starting pitcher and i do not see him coming in from the bullpen. Alsoooooo we have the most losses by a franchise because we are one of the oldest. Mets have been around since the 60′s weve been around since the 1880′s
you really should learn baseball.
Posted: 08:14 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Yeah I love the most loses comment, most humans today that follow baseball were not alive when the majority of those loses happened. I mean in my life time 70′s through today we have been pretty solid.
Just entertaining
Posted: 11:30 PM on April 3, 2009
Posts: 0 mick
On paper the Sheffield deal looks terrific for the Mets.However,if history plays out Sheff will complain about playing time, he will be on the DL, he will give Mets management reasons to squirm, and he will dislodge an already somewhat disfunctional clubhouse. Chemistry and 25 players playing for each other wins championships—Sheff plays for himself. Sheff was a great talent–most of it is gone–what is left is a malcontent looking for his ticket to Cooperstown
Posted: 07:42 AM on April 4, 2009