Month: April 2009

Gary Sheffield, Mets Agree On Contract

gary-sheffieldMike Francesa is reporting on WFAN that the Mets have agreed to a contract with Detroit Tigers castoff Gary Sheffield. Its a good low risk, high reward move that could play a big part in the 2009 season for the Mets. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reported that two Mets scouts met with Sheffield in Tampa on Wednesday for a workout at a college field. They wanted to see what Sheffield could do in the outfield. He hasn’t played the outfield regularly since 2005 when he played 131 games in right field for the Yankees.

This move may spell the end of Marlon Anderson‘s tenure with the Mets. Anderson’s contract was a mistake. The Mets shouldn’t have given him a 2-year deal before the 2008 season. The Mets will have to eat the $1.15 million that they owe him for 2009.

Sheffield shores up the possibility that Daniel Murphy and Ryan Church can’t handle playing the corner outfield spots every day. It also relieves the Mets of their lefty heavy lineup that’s been a concern for Mets fans throughout the offseason.

The other teams that were reported to be interested in Shef were the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Philles. A point that I haven’t heard anyone address to this point is that signing Sheffield keeps him away from the Phillies. The Mets haven’t engaged in that type of activity much in recent years but its not a bad idea. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have been doing this to each other for years. There’s no reason that the Mets shouldn’t try to keep useful players like Sheffield away from the Phillies.

Overall, I think its a good move that will pay dividends for the Mets. The key is to make sure that Sheffield gets enough at-bats in the outfield to keep him happy. If he’s not happy with his playing time, he can cause real problems for this team.

Report: Mets Considering Gary Sheffield

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Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports  that the Mets management is “intrigued” by the prospect of signing Gary Sheffield but haven’t met to discuss the situation yet. I’ve read reports that Sheffield was set to clear waivers Thursday at 1:00 pm, and that several team were set to be in contact with his agent, Rufus Williams, immediately.

Sheffield reportedly wants to play for two or three more years. He wants to find a spot as an every day player. I’m not sure that’s going to happen, and it certainly won’t happen with the Mets. If the Mets did take on Sheffield it would be to replace Jeremy Reed or Marlon Anderson on the roster. I don’t think the Shef wants to be a fifth outfielder or 25th man on the roster.

Sheffield should check in with the San Francisco Giants if he wants playing time. They’ve got some really good pitchers and a pewtrid offense. Sheffield could definitely get some playing time in that outfield of Fred Lewis, Aaron Rowand, and Randy Winn. I think the Giants believe that they can compete in the National League West this season too. The Giants are a much better fit for Sheffield than the Mets are.

Mets Over Orioles 9-8 To Complete Spring Training

mike-pelfreyThe Mets are finally headed back to New York after what feels like the longest spring training in history. The WBC lengthened spring training, seven weeks long, was arduous at best.

Mike Pelfrey wasn’t very good today, only pitching four innings and giving up eight runs on ten hits. Pelfrey only got 13 pitches in his previous start because of a rain delay, so he may have had a little rust at this early point in the season. I’m not concerned about Pelfrey at all. I like the progress that he’s made over the last year.

The Mets are flying back to New York tonight for a few days before the season starts on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. The exhibition games gets started at Citi Field on Friday night against the Boston Red Sox at 6:10pm and again on Saturday afternoon at 1:10pm. Both games will be televised, Friday on SNY and Saturday on WPIX.

Its exciting to see the Mets play at Citi Field but I don’t get too fired up about exhibition games. I’m not going to Citi Field until the games count. At the prices the Mets are charging, and considering the economy, I want to get the most for my entertainment dollars. For those of you that are going to the Red Sox games, I’m not saying that its a bad idea. I’m just saying that I prefer to see the Mets starters putting in a full game and playing to win.

I’m ready for the season to start!

Inaugural MLBPA Store At Citi Field

Citi Field LogoAt 2:00pm on Friday, before the Mets and Red Sox face off at Citi Field, the first-ever MLBPA store will open at Citi Field. Its called The Players Clubhouse: A Players Choice Store. The store is a joint venture between the MLBPA and Aramark.

I would guess that the MLBPA will have some interesting new merchandise. I always like to check out the Mets gear in the catalogs and stores. But it seems odd that the players union is moving in on turf that’s traditionally been owned by MLB (the owners). I wonder what kind of agreement was reached, if any, between the league and the union for this type of store to begin operations and if it’ll spread to other locations and stadiums.

The Biz Of Baseball reports the MLBPA statement about the new store:

“This new concept in stadium retail sales will feature player-only merchandise licensed by the MLBPA’s Players Choice group licensing program. The store provides the MLBPA and its licensees with a unique opportunity to launch new items, test future products and host player-related events.”