Gary Sheffield

With the Major League Baseball Hot Stove season almost at its boiling point, many fans across Dodgertown can't help but recollect the most notable trades in the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise.

Since officially moving to Los Angeles in 1958, many player trades occurred that were instrumental in winning nine National League pennants and five World Series championships. However, along with the deals that were beneficial came the deals that were dreadful, and people wonder what may have transpired if a number of these trades could have been undone.

Every year a new group of youngsters get their chance to showcase their talents in Williamsport at the Little League World Series—kids that we watch in awe as they amaze us with their bats and arms. 

Where do they go?

When all is said and done, these kids usually fade into the background. Doesn't anyone ever wonder what happened to these players who gave their all at a young age?

Here is a list of five players that played in the Little League World Series and where they are now.

It is always hard to watch a player that was once at the top of his game not know when to call it a career.

I understand, and fully respect, the fact that these guys love the game of baseball and want to play as long as they can.

Recently, Orlando Hudson of the Minnesota Twins has leveled the claim that Jermaine Dye and Gary Sheffield are not playing for a major league team in 2010 because the owners are racists. I can't get into the heads of each owner to know if Hudson is right or wrong. However, I have found 5 reasons why he might be wrong.

The sixth and final part of this Fantasy Baseball Preview is a list of players who had served baseball fantasy nation admirably for the duration of their illustrious careers, but should now be permanently crossed off must-have lists due to declining skills, injury, or retirement.

If you think that any of the above-listed players are still worthwhile fantasy contributors, then the chances are that you're a big fan of that particular player, and this is your wake-up call.

Consider this slideshow a fantasy eulogy to the players for their many years of dedicated service to fantasy baseball.

Gary Sheffield was quoted in the Boston Globe over the weekend saying he could hit at least 25 home runs if a team gives him the chance to play every day.

He even went so far as to say that he could hit upwards of 40 home runs in the proper situation. 

I hate to say it, Gary, but it's time to hang it up. 

To put the current length of his career in perspective, Sheffield was drafted sixth overall in the amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers just four months after I was born in 1986. 

The 2010 MLB free agent market has many players including many former New York Mets.  Here is an in-depth look at the fielders.  This is Part 1.  There will be a pitchers one in the near future.

Catchers

Ramon Castro—Castro was a member of the Mets from 2005 to the middle of this season when he was traded to the White Sox for Lance Broadway.  In 2007, Castro had his best year as a Met, playing in 52 games and batting .285 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs.

Click your heels three times and say there’s no place like home. It was the longest road trip the Mets had so far this season, but it felt much longer then the ten day span it took. 

With things being a bit in flux in Queens, there are plenty of people that think some sort of roster shakeup may be on the cards.

Jerry Manuel has been quoted as saying he would like to see another reliever in his bullpen, but that would probably be at the expense of somebody on the bench.

With Alex Cora and Fernando Tatis being the virtual locks to stay, one would think that the two men who would have the highest likelihood to go in favor of a pitcher would be Jeremy Reed or Gary Sheffield.

The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free agent DH Gary Sheffield. The 40-year-old was released by the Detroit Tigers last week.

Yes, you read that right, Sheffield is a DH.

But wait, aren't the Mets in the National League?

Yes, they are, but apparently Sheffield was a bargain they "couldn't pass up," despite the fact that they seem to not have a place for him.

New York will only have to pay $400,000 (the Major-League minimum) of Sheffield's $14 million salary. The Tigers will cover the rest.