Yankees Likely To Exercise Sheffield's 2007 Option.

[ryanthe13th]

Originally Posted by AP

Yankees likely to eventually exercise Sheffield's option

February 21, 2006

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Gary Sheffield reported to spring training Tuesday and was upbeat after the Yankees said they'd likely keep him around for 2007.

Sheffield is entering the final season of a $39 million, three-year contract, and the Yankees hold a $13 million option for 2007.

"They brought me in and told me they were probably going to pick the option up," Sheffield said after meeting with general manager Brian Cashman. "You always want to earn whatever you get. I take a lot pride in that. He didn't have to bring me in today. I appreciate that. When I was a free agent, a lot of teams called and I really didn't answer. There was only one place, and that still remains the same. I don't want to play for nobody else but the Yankees."

Cashman said there is no timetable regarding a final decision. Sheffield's contract calls for the option to be exercised within five days of the end of the World Series or Nov. 5.

"He's such a great player, I'd been surprised at the end of this thing we're not doing something," Cashman said. "Let's play this thing through and see where it goes. I'm not saying we'll do anything soon. I'm not saying we're not going to do anything until the very end. I don't know yet."

Sheffield negotiated his contract personally with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who said the option matter will be Cashman's call.

"Brian is the boss of that," Steinbrenner said. "It's up to Brian. We'll see what Brian does. It's in his hands."

Sheffield, a 37-year-old outfielder, was bothered by several physical ailments last season, including a thigh injury that hampered him in September. He still hit .291 with 34 homers and 123 RBIs in 154 games.

"I'm a year at a time guy," Sheffield said. "If I have a good year, go on the next one. I want to go out on a high note."

Instead of taking a few weeks off and then resuming workouts, Sheffield spent the offseason traveling to a number of locations including France, Italy, Britain, Bermuda and Las Vegas.

"I think it was needed because at this point in my career my body needs to heal," Sheffield said. "I wasn't giving it a chance to heal. I think that's why the injuries affected me late in the season. Now I get a chance to get in shape at spring training and start off fresh."

Sheffield said he might benefit from a day off occasionally during the season. Manager Joe Torre has indicated that Sheffield and left fielder Hideki Matsui will see some action this year at DH.

Cashman talked earlier in spring training with pitcher Mike Mussina, who will complete a six-year contract after this season. Mussina has an $17 million option for 2007 with a $1.5 million buyout.

"I'm pretty sure it won't be picked up," Mussina said. "They want to see me healthy, just like me. I'm OK with that."

The 37-year-old right-hander went 13-8 with a 4.41 ERA in 30 starts last year. He missed three weeks in September because of inflammation near his elbow.

Notes

Steinbrenner has been stopping at Torre's office on an almost daily basis during spring training. The two had a strained relationship last season. "We disconnected basically," Torre said. "I'm happy to see that he's around a lot to be honest with you. It makes it easier just to have a conversion because there's not that period of time you haven't spoken where you have to cover a lot of things. He seems like he's in good spirits and excited about the prospects, and we are too." ... RHP Tanyon Sturtze (tired shoulder) is scheduled to throw off the mound for the first time Wednesday. ... Mussina, Randy Johnson, Jaret Wright, Shawn Chacon and Chien-Ming Wang threw 12 minutes each during their third bullpen sessions. ... The first full squad workout is Wednesday.

Good news. I'm pretty stoked that Sheffield is going to be kept around for the fulltime DH in 2007.

[gold23]

While it wouldn't be a smart thing to do fiscally, and would certainly take on risk they didn't need to, there is a significant chance that a happier Sheffield is a MUCH better Sheffield.

[ryanthe13th]

Originally Posted by gold23

While it wouldn't be a smart thing to do fiscally, and would certainly take on risk they didn't need to, there is a significant chance that a happier Sheffield is a MUCH better Sheffield.

I agree that it could be risky if they keep him in right field. Knowing Cashman, he probably wants him to have a stable DH. Sheffield just swinging a bit would be great since it takes a lot of stress off his body.

[yanksphan]

I don't want to play for nobody else but the Yankees.

Now THAT's what I'm talking about.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

I'd love to see Sheff back for 2007. The more he can DH, the better.

I also like the fact that Cashman called both Sheff and Moose in at the start of ST, and let them know exactly where they stood. I liked that George deferred to Cashman, and is making an effort to improve communications with Torre..

In short, there was nothing in that piece that I didn't like.

[gdn]

I wouldn't mind at all, provided that he keeps up his hitting this year. Let's wait till we see how he performs, before doing this, though.

[nyyanksfan20]

Really no need to do this now, but if this makes Sheff happy i'd do it. Even if we waited to the end of the year and declined the option and resigned it would only be saving a few mil.

[puckmaster87]

Good, he's been pretty much what we expected, although all of us would probably have preferred Guerrero. Good to see that Steinbrenner deferred to Cashman...that's something we never would've seen in years past.

[hardrain]

OK..great news. Now go out and have a great year, sheff

[YankeePride1967]

As long as he's our 2007 DH, I have no problem with this.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally Posted by puckmaster87

, although all of us would probably have preferred Guerrero. .

Please refrain from speaking for me. I'm not going to enter into the argument again, but I always wanted Sheffield.

[Tifoso]

Originally Posted by Socal Pinstriper

Please refrain from speaking for me. I'm not going to enter into the argument again, but I always wanted Sheffield.

Make that 2 of us...

I think Shef will be great in 2006/7 batting in his now role...which is behind Giambi.

[gold23]

I was worried about Guerrero's back. I didn't want to pay him his asking price, though the Angels did get him somewhat on the cheap. I have no issue with Sheff- he's been fabulous.

[yanksconstantino24]

Good, glad they picked it up. Gary has certainly earned it. I wasn't crazy about it when the Yanks first signed him (Vlad was my first choice) but there's really no way to argue with it. He's been great here.

[noneckwilliams]

Originally Posted by gold23

While it wouldn't be a smart thing to do fiscally, and would certainly take on risk they didn't need to, there is a significant chance that a happier Sheffield is a MUCH better Sheffield.

I'm not in favor of this but the upside would I presume would be a year without any "Sheffy bring Sheffy".

[38Special]

Even if they dont bring him back in the end, telling him that they will exercise his option can only do good things for his attitude and performance.

[38Special]

PECOTA is predicting a big year for Sheff in 06 but a decline in 07

06: .306/.392/.548 - .328 EQA - 35 HR - 115 RBI
07: .285/.376/.492 - .309 EQA - 26 HR - 92 RBI

[Saxmania]

Originally Posted by Socal Pinstriper

The more he can DH, the better.

This is the important bit for me. Sheffield's still not a disaster area in RF, but there's a real risk that in another year or two he'd become a little more Manny-like - bat being undone by awful fielding. We can't move Sheffield to LF because of Matsui and Damon, so we need to have that DH spot available - but Giambi's still going to be around, and we may be stuck with Posada too.

For that reason, I'd think twice before exercising Sheffield's option. The upside is that he has a long way to fall before he becomes league-average, but sudden declines can happen, particularly in a player's late 30s. I'm sure it's not a popular opinion around here, but I'd rather watch Sheffield put up another .290/.380/.520 season before throwing another $13m at his age 38 season, for all that he says the right things.

If, on the other hand, he suffers from an injury and posts .280/.360/.470 in limited time, the Yankees need to review their options - which wouldn't exclude re-signing Sheffield, but his role needs to be considered.

Be seeing you,

Saxmania

[BJG]

Manager Joe Torre has indicated that Sheffield and left fielder Hideki Matsui will see some action this year at DH.

In favor of whom in the OF? Bernie? Bubba? We've been talking about doing this for months, but you can't do it without the personnel. The Yankees don't have a player I want to see in RF or LF on any kind of regular basis besides Matsui and Sheffield.

[Jace]

Originally Posted by 38Special

PECOTA is predicting a big year for Sheff in 06 but a decline in 07

06: .306/.392/.548 - .328 EQA - 35 HR - 115 RBI
07: .285/.376/.492 - .309 EQA - 26 HR - 92 RBI

damn son