http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/mets-close-to-signing-gary-sheffield.html ... Have fun with him, Mets fans. His personality always annoyed me when he was a Yankee.
So let me get this straight. The Mets didn't want Bobby Abreu because he wasn't worth dick defensively but they'll take Sheffield? Strange. If he rediscovers his power stroke then Omar's a genius but that's one bat that's slowed down.
If he's man enough to spend a few weeks in Buffalo to prove he can still hit, I'll take him. But he'd never do that. Tatis is a better player at this point. Hell, I'd rather take Kielty up from the minors, at least he can hold his own defensively in our new giant outfield. Does anyone really want to watch this fuckface gimp around the outfield while Santana/Maine/Perez are pitching? Jesus.
I'm somewhat mystified by the intense reactions here. The Mets are paying him nothing, which means they will not think twice about releasing him if he sucks. Which, by the way, is exactly what I expect will happen.
Right. Hit #500 then release him...Who cares? It's all about marketing, and I'm not being a nuisance...Just sayin.
No, I'm not saying that at all - the exact opposite, in fact. There is NO marketing aspect to this - I can't imagine that a single Mets fan gives a shit if Gary Sheffield hits his 500th HR as a Met, and the Mets won't sell a single ticket as a result. Obviously Omar and/or Manuel thinks he can be useful. Personally, I doubt it, but the point is that if he is hitting .200 on June 1st and is still on the team, THAT is the time for Mets fans to get angry.
He hit 25 HR in '07 and 19 in '08, so he clearly has some pop left in his bat. At the league minimum, and with the Mets need for a righty bat with their lefty-dominated lineup, I don't think this is a bad move. He'll probably be the best bench power hitter in baseball.
He's a Met. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/mets-close-to-signing-gary-sheffield.html 2:33pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says Sheffield agreed to sign with the Mets. An announcement is expected this afternoon.
I'm afraid that they'll keep him around even if he sucks or, god forbid, use him in the outfield with any frequency. Maybe I should give Manuel more credit than that. I don't know. This team makes some great moves sometimes, and some absolutely mystifying ones as well.
