On the Yankees beat

Isn't it funny how one of the big stories during Spring Training was that Sheff was upset because the Yanks hadn't picked up his option yet and he saw that as the team disrespecting him?

Now, he's complaining about the Yanks picking up his option and the Yanks "owe it to him" to let him go elsewhere.

Of course, things have changed since Spring Training because of the addition of Abreu, but it sure seems like Sheff has never been happy a day in his life.

As far as the Yanks are concerned, it's reasons like this why I'm very glad to see Cashman gaining more power and authority within the organization.

Sheff does have good value in this current market because there is a major shortage of quality bats on the free agent market who can swing the stick like he can and at a relative bargain at $13 million (with a portion of it deferred beyond 2007).

However, Cash isn't going to get fair market value for Sheff because every GM in the league knows they are only picking up the option in order to unload him to somebody else and keep him away from their arch rivals like the Mets and BoSox.

I think the best Cash can do by dealing Sheff is getting a decent but not great player in return for him.

Sign him and ship him out faster than he can say "WAAAAA-WAAAA I don't want to play first base for the Yankees.... WAAAA-WAAA I don't want to make 13 million next year."

I'm glad Cashman is really in charge now too, hopefully it means less deals like this one. Sheff was great during the year but he wasn't fantastic in October either. I don't think he's worth the headache.

I know Gary Sheffield produces numbers but he's as much of a team member as I'm.

If, I were BC. Thou its risky business and I have vacilated on the subject to sign and trade him. I would sign and keep control of him. he will come around and understand that 13 million for a mercenary is hard to give up. BC should then ship him to the team that least affects us for some return of a player even if we have to eat some of his contract. Now, Sheffield will have to produce/behave to extend his contract.

I am so sick of whiners like Sheff! He admitedly booted grounders to get out of Milwaukee(sp?) , has direct ties to Balco and steriod abuse , and is a malcontent WHEREVER he goes! He has bitched since he came here and I am sure will bitch all the way out the door!

I say good riddance BUT if the Yanks can trade him for a player or two(maybe promising minor leaugers) then i say go for it. That is a wise business decision...one Sheff could never understand! What a self absorbed pos!

The Yanks have official picked up the option. And Shef has formally declared war. Maybe this kills the Arod trade story line for a week or two? Please...

Ohh to think if BC was in charge back when we'd have Vlad instead of Sheffield. You know what? The yanks have paid Pavano (and you could say the Unit as well)big bucks to do nothing. I say pick up the option, let Sheff stew, tell him he will play 1st or he wont play at all. If he goes ballistic tell em to shut his yap and let him sit and watch for a month or two. I dont think his ego could take being shown once again we dont really need him. In other words he doesn't neccessarily have the upper hand. BC does and i dont think is afraid to use it.

I hope the Yanks are picking up his option to trade and control his destination.

Have you guys ever given this possibility a thought?

What if we do pick up his option and try to trade him BUT find no takers?

What will happen then?

Remember, $13 million is nothing to sneeze at.

If we're stuck with him, he will give you almost certainly give you hell.

So what do you do?

Let's hear it.

I'd like to see Sheff traded to Pittsburgh for...anyone. It would be so much fun watching Sheff cry his eyes out in baseball hell! Hey Sheff, need a little cheese w/ that whine?

Please, just go.

In response to Larry's "what if". the one thing the Yanks have in their pocket is that above all else is Sheffield's ego. He is 38 years old and needs 45 home runs to reach the hall of fame guarantee of 500. He can't afford to not play. And although $13M is nothing to sneeze at, the Yanks can afford it especially after their insurance picked up a major part of his last year salary due to his injury. The scenario also plays out well for the Yanks if they keep him because You know nothing motivates $heffield more than money and he'll be playing to prove himself for next years free agency.

Steve: Its not my what if. It was Eric's. I believe Cashman knows the situation and probably has some takers in the mix. The only way that you win with a bully is to play hardball. Sheff is starting to see this.

Sheffield is not dealing from a good bargaining position. If the Yanks pick up his option and trade him, what choice does he have? He can shut up and go to his new team and put up huge numbers for his walk year, or he can retire.
The Yanks don't owe him a thing.

Jim, from your GM sources, what is your best guess for where Gary Sheffield will be traded?

I can't see Gary going to San Francisco and possibly playing with Barry Bonds (if Bonds resigns there). Because of BALCO he won't be talking to Barry.

The Dodgers; he's not going there either after the bad way he left there.

I think Philadelphia, White Sox or Detroit would be the best fits for him.

If he ends up with the Cubs, Astros, Seattle or Texas I would think he would ask to leave at the trade deadline or become a free agent at the end of the year.

Sheffield is threatening once again to give any team that going to trade for him, "trouble."

Here's what he said, "This will not work, this will not work at all," he was quoted as saying in Thursday editions. "I don't want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that."

And "I don't know what they're (Yankees) going to do," Sheffield was quoted as saying. "Maybe they picked it up just to trade me. If they do that, if I just (go) to a team for one year, there's going to be a problem."

He also said he won't walk away from 13 million. And he wants to get to 500 HR so it looks like he doesn't have a choice but to try to intimidate teams into getting his way.

The teams interested will probably extend the year since Sheff is a great hitter and all the teams interested need right handed power. He would be a great DH for any team.

In the end Sheff will get his 3 years and the Yankees will get rid of his attitude and clear the log jam they have in the outfield and maybe get a good player in return.