Earlier this evening, the Mets signed former Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield. It is said that Sheffield will be making around $400,000 this coming season.
To me, that's a great bargain for the Mets. Gary is most likely going to get a good amount of time in both left and right field.
I agree with New York's decision 100 percent. They got Sheff at a very cheap price (maybe even a steal), and even though he's old, he can still launch the ball like crazy.
Sheffield is just one home run shy of the 500 mark for his career.
Some critics are saying that Sheffield's character might mess up the great clubhouse atmosphere that the Mets built in spring training, but I don't think that will be the case. If anything, I think he will bring additional leadership to the locker room.
The Mets have a lot of nice young players (Daniel Murphy in particular), and Gary can mentor them throughout the season. I'm sure that Murphy and Nick Evans will be more than glad to get some advice from one of the game's greatest outfielders.
Sheffield posted a .225 batting average last year with the Tigers, smacking just 19 dingers in 119 games. Detroit was unimpressed and dropped him a couple of days ago.
The Phillies, Reds, and Mets were among the teams that were interested in Sheffield. It is likely Gary chose N.Y. because it is there that he is most likely to receive decent playing time. He may also have been tempted by the city itself, as he certainly has fond memories of his days with th Yankees.
I'm proud to say that the "Sheff" is gonna be cooking up some great stuff in Flushing, Queens, and we will see what happens as next season progresses.
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