Initially, I was against the signing of Gary Sheffield.
However, the more I think about it, knowing he understands his role, plus knowing he will earn just $400,000, not the $14 million he is due from the Tigers, I am starting to like it.
The key, for me, is that his expectations have 
been set low. Look, if he were coming to the Mets under then impression he would be a starting player, every day, who would bat third, and then he didn’t, and Daniel Murphy and Ryan Church were playing more than he, Sheffield would complain and be a problem, I am sure.
However, the Mets have been quote clear with him that he’ll initially be a bench player, and if he isn’t working his way back to form, that’s where he will remain. Of course, if he begins complaining and turns to ruffling feathers, because he isn’t playing, the Mets can always cut him loose with little consequence.
The only downside, in this regard, is does his presence create resentment and tension for Ryan Church or Daniel Murphy? Does he take some spotlight away from other players, and irritate them? Does he moan and cause problems for Jerry Manuel? All of which can have lasting ramifications through the season, even if Sheffield is eventually cut and no longer on the roster.
Ultimately, I expect Sheffield to play in 80 to 120 games, getting time in left, he’ll play right, he may even play first base, he’ll start some games, but an equal among of at bats from the bench, and he’ll be a presence in the clubhouse and with the media, as a right-handed, power bat from the bench, or behind Carlos Delgado, all of which the team has been missing.
The fact is, the Mets need Church’s defense in right field, especially in Citi Field. Also, Murphy is going to need days off, as well. So, I envision days when Church is in left, Sheffield is in right, and Muprhy is on the bench; I see days when Church is in center, Sheffield is in right, and Murphy is in left, when Carlos Beltran needs a rest; I see days when it is like today, and Sheffield is on the bench, and so on.
And, again, if he is unhappy and causing trouble, the Mets can cut him and not suffer a huge hit to the payroll.
Great post Matt! Absolutely right on!
To me, it's simple:
Sheffield > Nick Evans
Sheffield > Marlon Anderson
I really don't see a downside to this deal
I agree, but you're also evaluating a starter against a pinch hitter – those are 2 different roles. Evans isn't even in the discussion as he was going to the minors anyway.
I'm evaluating Sheffield as a role player/spot starter vs the others in the same capacity respective of what they get paid. Simply put, Sheffield off the bench, for 400K, is a better, wiser option than either of the others in my opinion
I don't think that evaluating these guys as far as their use to the team should have anything to do with how much money they make. Forget the business side of the equation. If Sheffield is happy coming off the bench, and can hit better than his .133 BA in ST, then yes, I totally agree. But if he's all of a sudden back to hitting .270 and feels he should be starting instead of Murphy or Church, who are each (for the sake of argument) are hitting .280 or .290, then it's an issue. I would rather have Marlon, who knows he's there just to pinch hit and otherwise sits and waits his turn.
Fair enough. I was against the move, but as long as he's prepared to accept a role off the bench, bring him on. Maybe this team could use a bit of his roughneck attitude.
Bottom line, an aging Gary Sheffield has more upside than an aging Marlon Anderson.
Not only is he better then Marlon Anderson, he is making 1.1 mil less then him. Had to kick the wheels on this one, against our better judgement.
If I actually thought that the Mets would cut and run from Sheffield if(when) things turned sour I may agree with you Matt. However, the Mets usually have to be beaten over the head multiple times before they ever admit that they make a mistake. As for Sheffield saying he understands his role, please, spare me. The guy has been a pain in the neck everywhere he has been and I seriously doubt that on team number 23 he's going to be any different. The Mets should've just left well enough alone….
I kinda agree with you. Though there may be an X-factor that we don't know about. Sheffield has said many times before that his dream is to play for the Mets. What if that's really true? What if he's happy just to be on the team of his childhood dream? In that case a player may behave better and be more open to compromise than he would have been in a sh*t hole like Philly or Florida…
If his dream was to play for the Mets then why did he threaten to not play in '07 when the Yankees were rumored to trade him to us?
It's a different situation. He's coming in as a bench player, more humbled than ever. It's hard to judge now – let this train start chugging along and then we'll see if anyone's shoving any sticks between the wheels
Newest example of this – thinking about sending down Parnell or giving O'Day back to the Angels at the expense of cutting Marlon Anderson. I am still shocked they cut Sanchez making over a million.
That said, when the Mets refuse to admit they made a mistake it usually is about the money – they just do not understand the economics of a sunk cost. Sheffield, becuse he is only making $400,000.00, would never be cost prohibitive to cut.
I ahve no idea why anyone would be against this signing.
It is plain and simple, there is no market out there for Sheffield to earn millions and be an everyday player. He knows he needs to play himself into an everyday role for next year. If he can't accept it, you cut him. Better yet, when you cut him and another team signs him to the league minimum, you lose no money.
yes, if they cut marlon, you lose that money but that is because marlon has a bad contract. the money lost on that deal is that he was signed to a bad deal.
The Mets need as much quality OF depth as possible. Many fans turn a blind eye to the fact the injury dominoes in the OF the past couple years has been as debilitating as the bullpen implosions. Yes, we luv 'em and have the highest hopes and expectations for them, but we've got a career minor league infielder starting in LF (Murphy), a career platoon guy in RF who had concussions and migraines last year (Church), and our 1st guy off the bench is a journeyman career third baseman (Tatis). Everyone's trying to get at bats for another career minor league first basemen (Evans). A washed up journeyman (Anderson) was counted on to be possible OF depth, and our best defensive backup player (Pagan) is never healthy.
Why not get Sheffield for $400K and try to build him up for future help? Better to plan ahead than to watch the front guard wall falling again and suddenly relying on the talent levels of the Johnsons, Ledees, Newhans, Clarks for way too many games.
That's a pretty good way to sum it up Matt. I agree with that completely. Brock said it right the first time "Absolutely right on!"
I agree Matt. As long as he's mostly a bench guy coming in as RH bat late in games I'm good. He can also be a fill in for corner OF or first base. I don't want him in OF too often, he'll be a defensive liability for us.
I wonder, on the days when you see Beltran getting the day off, wouldn't you rather have Reed in the outfield to help out Church? We also have a guy named Tatis, who's also a right handed bat off the bench. He may not bring the intimidation factor of Gary Sheffield, but he is the Comeback Player of the year, and he did provide plenty of pop last year. What role does he serve now?
I am not against the Sheffield signing at 400k and no guarantees, but there is definitely an odd man out in this situation, no doubt. But I will reserve my judgement of Sheffield's role until I see how he will be treated during the first month or so of the season – there is a clear difference between "potentially working your way back to starter" and "bench player". It seems from everything that the Mets (and Matt) have been saying is that Sheffield can "work his way back" – which means what? He's going to start? The person being pushed out (Marlon Anderson) had no chance of working his way into anything other than a pinch hitting role with a few starts in between. Sheffield doesn't want to pinch hit – he wants to play. So he may be "ok" with the bench role while he's still warming up his swing, but once he feels ready, do you really think he's going to want to sit on the bench the first 7 innings, especially if the guys starting are Murphy, Church, Tatis, or Reed?
Well, first off, Shef's role had to be made clear to him before he was signed….also, maybe he can be this year's comeback player of the year.
He surely is old and in decline, but he also has a much more serious resume than Tatis, and also, despite the decline, Shef surely puts more fear into the opposition. And his tough attitude and winning resume cannot hurt either, as long as he behaves.
I really think that Murph plays every day, regardless, unless he bombs, and I also think that, considering Church's career and age, that the team wants insurance against another injury or his not hitting lefties.
And Reed, who I really like as an Endy replacement, is not much of a hitter, and will be on the bench to come in late for defense.
Anyway, that is my opinion.
That's what Omar said on Saturday. That maybe Sheff can be this year's Comeback Player of the Year.
Matt's description of Sheffield's role certainly sounsd a lot like what Fernando Tatis's was supposed to be. While, as Kingman says, Sheffield comes with more intimidation and a better resume, I think Tatis's performance spoke for itself last season.
I'd prefer if Tatis kept his role. He provides a spark, he hustles, and while he's not going to remind anyone of Dave Winfield in the corner outfield, I think he's better than Sheffield at this point. Plus, Tatis performed a hell of a lot better than Sheff last season offensively, as well.
To me, Sheffield should primarily be a pinch hitter and should serve more as insurance to Tatis as a utility player than to either Murphy or Church as outfielders.
Exactly. The role you just described is….the exact role Marlon Anderson was slotted to fill. If that's the role Sheff is expected to play, that's nice. But any other way and the puzzle pieces no longer fit quite as well.
Its a no brainer. See if Sheff has anything left….who knows might catch lightning in a bottle. Only costs METS $400K.
Looks like a page out of the Yankee playbook from the late '90's; sign aging power hitters and convert them to role players. Worked well for them. Sheffield has to know he can't cut it everyday, probably doesn't even want to try. But as another piece on the chessboard, you have to like the move.
If this were a video game I'd agree with you, but I really don't think you can overestimate the potential negative effects of this guy in the clubhouse. I mean, for god sakes, the Tigers ate 14 MILLION DOLLARS to get rid of this guy!
As long as the Mets actually get rid of him if he's a negative factor, there's no issue. But like a reader mentioned above, sometimes it takes the Mets FO quite a while before they make up their mind on a mistake…
Church needs to play Right when both he and Sheffield are in the game. I don't know why the Mets seem to insist upon playing Outfielders out of position…how many games did Silly Randolph play Endy in Left when he was clearly the better Right Fielder? It makes no sense to play Church in Left if he's playing beside Beltran and Sheffield….none. Church is the best defensive Right Fielder on the team, and the Only Outfielder outside of Beltran who has the arm for Right Field. I remember Sheffield used to have a gun, but…he also used to hit .330 30 and 120…..although….40/40 at 40 would make for some great stories, games, and make the Tigers et al. feel like the guy on that commercial who's a reporter and walks right into a pole….
Church and Shef won't be in the game together….Murph will play every day until it is 6 weeks into the season and he is hitting .200.
You're right on the mark my friend.
From the Poster formerly known
as FongulAlou.
Ah welcome back my friend!
I guess Mr Nino has quit his boxing career for Metsblog!
You are correct sir! Murphy will be given every chance until
Mid/late May. From the Poster formerly known as
FongulAlou.
I would think that opposing managers would be alot more concerned late in games knowing that Sheff is on the bench rather than Nick Evans, Marlon Anderson, or any of the other PHs. Granted Tatis was great last year, but after he was used in that pinch hitting role, there wasn't anyone left to scare opposing bullpens.
Until Sheffield proves he can hack it, not too many managers are going to be scared of his .133 BA. He's not the guy he used to be and everyone knows it.
I read one article over the weekend, sorry I can't remember which one, that spoke of the effect he will have on other managers if he is on the bench. Church is up with a RH on the mound. They know that Church crushes RH pitching, do they bring in the lefty and then see Sheff who no matter what still can change the game in one swing or do they leave the RH in to face Church?
I'm evaluating each solely on their value to this team. Sheffield, as a bench player/spot starter, is more valuable to this team as Marlon Anderson or Nick Evans in the same capacity.
I don't think this is a 'page' out of any playbook. The Mets were not expecting a guy like Sheffield to drop onto the wire. He did, and they reacted. Sometimes you have to roll with a little sign-first, ask-questions-later mentality.
All of this discourse assumes everyone will be healthy all season. They won't be. We will need 5,6-7 OFs to get through the year, My guess is you will see Kielty or Mackowiak or Sullivan on the roster before you see a massive logjam caused by Sheffield. Just tthink of last year. Brady Clark made the roster and was out within a week. Pagan was out by May. Alou. By June we were trading to get Trot Nixon out of AAA.
There will be ABs for everyone. Tatis can spell Delgado on occaision and Wright, in additon to playing OF. If Sheff stats over Church at home, no doubt Church will be in for defense. I'm not worried – I love the potential upside of this signing, and there is no downside…the only negative press this is getting is from Yankee lovers who can;t forgive Sheff for taking on St. Joe Torre and the Almighty Derek Jeter.
would that be Joe Torre the racist!?
Poor Tatis. Talk about getting lost in the shuffle. I'm not saying he should have been starting often – he's very valuable off the bench. However, when not just the mainstream media who loves a big story, but even Matt Cerrone is forgetting about him, thats just too bad for a guy who had one of the better springs for the Mets (aside from Murphy of course).
Not saying you neglected Tatis, Matt, but he wasnt even mentioned a single time in your post even though he will clearly be affected significantly by this.
Agreed. And as I stated above, Sheffield should fall behind Tatis in the pecking order. If Murph or Church need to sit, Tatis should get the first shot. Not only did Tatis provide a great spark for the Mets last season, but his offense was better than Sheff has shown recently and Sheff might be the worst defensive player on the roster — Marlon included.
I would be okay with this move if Sheffield could still hit, but right now he can't. If he can't hit well anymore and obviously can't field and is 40 and a clubhouse concern, I just don't like the move
You want a crazy idea – have him work on being a first baseman and have him spell Delgado against lefties.
Its not "CRAZY" but Shef looked pretty awful playing 1B for the yankees.
This is a good signing because the mets absolutely needed another RH bat on the bench and it had become clear that they were refusing to address this once Hernandez came up and Evans went down.
I don't think Sheff's role has been made clear to us, that's the big issue. Is he there to be a bench player or is he there to "work his way back to starting" – which one is it?
give him a month, and he'll be bitchin and whinin liek h has everywhere… we fans will be booing him for lack of hustle, and then he'll lash out at us in the press. bank on it
and then he will be cut…..sheff knows he has a short leash considering the investment. He will behave i imagine
exactly matt. After the initial shock about how fast this all came together, people will hopefully realize how small this investment is and how high the rewards can be. Bottom line, he will produce more than marlon. If he starts becoming a pest, we just cut him…period. If everything works out, we have a dangerous RPH and a presence against LHP. This is a good move by omar.
lol, that's not even funny….
I'd like to see a simple rotation implemented. Everyone gets equal playing time from the get go. Set it off with Murphy in Left, Church in Right, and game 2, throw Sheffield in Left, Church in Right, Game 3, Murphy in Left, Sheffield in Right. Game 4 back to Murphy in Left, Church in Right. With Tatis starting 1 game a week in a Corner Outfield, but using the same rotation. First week Murphy sits, second week Sheffield sits, third week Church sits. Besides, Tatis is destined for a ton of at-bats at Second Base! ; )
If one or two guys emerge as must plays, or one guy is deserving of less playing time, then so be it. Do what needs to be done, but until/if it shakes out, I'd like to see a simple revolving door to prevent any mystery, question, or story. If they were your 3 sons how would you handle it? Equal playing time, right?
do anyone remember this time last year where Omar should ahve been fired because we kept Tatis and droppe Gotay and Gotay was going to kill the mets and put the braves back on top?
regardless of how it turns out, remember that we are still talking about a bench player right now.
what I do know is that I would have been upset if the Phillies signed Sheffield to $400K. It's not like they didn't try. They didn;t seem to upset about him ruining a world series champions clubhouse. I know, I said world champion in regards to the phillies. get used to it. we will hear it all year.
Dude, that is no way to build chemistry up and down the line up. When you have division like that what you usually wind up with is a bunch of guys who are kinda good at everything but not great at anything. Players need assigned roles – didn't we learn this under Willie Randolph?
You don't think making everyone equals, and forcing them to depend on and root for one another when they're not in the game builds chemistry?
I dont mind the signing too much, but I would hate to see him take away at bats from Murphy considering he has earned a full time spot with his great spring/performance from last year. However, that changes if Murph starts to struggle, though I am confident he will be a great hitter and run producer.
All offseason, this blog was firing Omar for not getting a RH OFer to come off the bench. Omar got him and he'll only cost $400K. Looks good to me.
im sure they were imagining a RH OFer that could start and play defense. In that sense he failed but alot of us were clamoring for omar to improve the bench and this nails that.
true and true-er
This is whats called a no lose/win win situation for the mets. We win because we finally cut marlon and get a RH improvement off the bench. We win if shef doesnt work out, we can cut him only losing 400k and promote nick evans who is another RH improvement over marlon. Another great move for omar.
If you consider the roster implications, this move will cost more than $400k. Figure the Mets won't send Jeremy Reed to the minors (b/c they like his ability to play CF and he has played well this spring). That means they will drop Marlon Anderson when they need to add Livan to the roster. Marlon has a guaranteed contract for $1.15M. If another team picks Marlon up for the league minimum ($400k), that means the Mets will eat ~$700k on Marlon plus $400k on Sheffield. So it's a $1.1M cost to the Mets for Sheffield. And that doesn't consider what happens if/when the Mets cut Sheffield and need another bat.
sheffield saying the right thing is great, but it’s far less likely sheffield will do the right thing for the entire season. sheffield thinks he is better than murphy and church, and probably wright and delgado too. i just don’t trust him, and it is entirely possible he is not good anymore, too! he’s got a swagger and a presence, but he might not be any more productive than tatis, though he’ll still think he’s as good as he was 10 years ago.