Sheffield traded to Tigers
posted in 2006-07 offseason, roster moves |The Freep and SI are reporting Gary Sheffield is now a Detroit Tiger.
Freep: The Tigers announced today they had acquired outfielder Gary Sheffield from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitchers Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett.
In addition Sheffield signed a 2-year contract extension.
First thoughts on this, subject to change with reflection: this is a good trade. I was not high on Whelan. I was very intrigued by Sanchez, and Sanchez had a heck of a season last year, but I was concerned about his injured elbow and his having just one very successful minor league season.
Sheffield brings a heck of a bat. He averages over 30 homers and 100 RBIs per season for his entire career. His OBP the past three years in New York was .355 (2006), .379 and .393. He’s gonna fill up the middle of the lineup very nicely. Obviously he was injured in 2006 but I don’t believe it to be the lingering effects injury.
“We have been able to add one of the biggest bats in baseball,†Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “I have a great relationship with Gary Sheffield and I have the utmost respect for him. I’m happy to add a bat of this magnitude and that he’ll be a Tiger.â€
Also see Bilfer’s Detroit Tigers Weblog for quotes and stats on the minor leaguers.
AP has contract details: 13M per season for 2008 and 2009. So there’s your worrisome point should you wish one. 2008 and 2009 have a lot of locked up money in old men.
Day 2: Still like it. Very excited for Spring Training to start, not just because winter has started in the north country.
Sphere It
I think this works well for both teams. Too many outfielders in the Bronx while the Tigers are loaded with young pitching; this deal alleviates both bottlenecks.
Most Yankee fans seem happy, anyway — over at Bronx Banter they (we) are bantering away, and folks are checking out your Humberto Sanchez entry from Oct. 31st, very informative, thanks!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I, too, think it’s an interesting trade that could either work out for both teams, neither teams, or one of the teams, due to the age and injury-status of the guys involved. I hope it works out well for both teams.
I can’t tell you much about the other minor leaguers other than to say Claggett was a very good reliever in low-A ball so it’s hard to project him into a major league closer for me. Kevin Whelan was thought to be late-reliever material.
From the Tigers standpoint, I think Detroit (rightfully) saw Andrew Miller as a lock for the rotation very soon, and this trade allows them to keep Jeremy Bonderman around and try to extend his contract rather than trade him for a bat.
I like this trade. Big OBP. Big SLG. Just what the line-up needs. We could have used a younger, left-handed bat, but we got great value considering that we only had to part with one top pitching prospect.
Here’s a question: If Sheffield is played primarily at 1B or at DH, where does that leave Chris Shelton? My guess is that he gets another year in AAA while the Tigers re-sign Casey so they have a lefty-righty platoon option for 1B and DH.
BTW - I can’t believe that the Tigers were ever entertaining the idea of giving up a 24 year old starter with 10-15 more years of All-Star talent still in reserve. About the only offer I would entertain for Bonderman would be from the Cardinals for a certain 1st baseman.
Alan Schwarz of Baseball America thought it most likely Sheff plays RF and Magglio moves to DH. I hope that happens. I hated seeing Maggs “when he feels like it” defense, and why risk the knee anyway?
In my mind, Detroit is still keeping its eyes open at first base.
I figure Cashman was asking for Bonderman knowing it would take some kind of hypnosis to get him — I agree it would have been foolish for the Tigers to let Bonderman go for a 38 year old outfielder.
It’s a little risky on both sides: prospects, age. But I think the ‘expected value’ is positive for both sides. The Yankees had five good outfielders plus Jason Giambi to crowd the DH spot, while the Tigers probably don’t have room for Sanchez even if he pans out.
Come on over to Bronx Banter if you want to see what the pinstripers think!
How stupid are the Tigers?
I’ll answer that question…very…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
What a steal!!
How much do the Yankees pay of the contract…nothing…this is great.
I’m just kidding but i really think this trade heavily favors the Yankees.
I think the trade helps both teams. The Tigers needed a bat with power and OBA, and still have plenty of young pitching. (Indeed, I assume these guys were not on Dombrowski’s A-list.) The Yankees had too many expensive outfielders, and a desperate shortage of prospects. Given the Yanks’ track record, the pitchers are more likely to be used as trade bait than they are to ever pitch in pinstripes.
Any 38-year-old is a gamble, but (a) Sheffield has held up very well for a long time, and (b) Dombrowski has a great track record at picking older players — see Magglio, Polanco, Rogers, and Pudge. And if anybody can handle attitude issues, it’s Leyland.
According to news-conference comments posted on Billfer’s blog, Sheffield will mostly DH with some OF duty. Defensively, it’s kind of a toss-up between Magglio and Sheff. I think this trade means Marcus Thames is not in the Tigers’ plans. At first base, I don’t think the Tigers are counting on Chris Shelton or Sean Casey; they’re still looking for somebody. Hey, Carlos Pena’s available!
Reading GAME OF SHADOWS.
First thought is Tigers are not going to get Barry Bonds.
Second thought is remember the at bats by Sheffield in the ALCS.
Third thought what part did the steroids that Sheffield took play into his injury and his ability to come back from it.
Fourth thought hope this works oout but will not be surprised if it is Eric Davis all over again.