Gary Sheffield traded

[jeterMVP]

to the tigers for Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett

[DodgerBlue81]

Good trade for both teams. Yankees needed to get rid of him, and the Tigers needed another hitter; plus Sheffield will want to play hard for Leyland who he likes.

[CROM]

heres a link


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656847

[ChrisLDuncan]

Now the Yankees have a VERY legit farm system with two serious gem prospects in Phillip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez. I'd say the Yankees got the better of the deals Sheff's still a dangerous hitter and a decent fielder with a good arm in right. But he's only got about a year and a half left. The move to Detroit might not get him to 500 but hopefully he'll tack on some numbers that get him to the hall.

[EvanAparra]

Now the Yankees have a VERY legit farm system with two serious gem prospects in Phillip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez..
I wouldnt go as far to put Sanchez up there with Hughes, but hes good.

[ChrisLDuncan]

I wouldnt go as far to put Sanchez up there with Hughes, but hes good.

That's why he's listed second, but who do you think the deal favors Evan? I mean Sheff in the field isn't as good as Abreu. With Abreu all I want is a guy with a high OBP a good fielder, and a good runner. However Sheff is the better hitter, but over all I'd go Abreu. The Tigers have Mags, but I don't think he's any Sheffiield

[EvanAparra]

That's why he's listed second, but who do you think the deal favors Evan? I mean Sheff in the field isn't as good as Abreu. With Abreu all I want is a guy with a high OBP a good fielder, and a good runner. However Sheff is the better hitter, but over all I'd go Abreu. The Tigers have Mags, but I don't think he's any Sheffiield

Its definately a good deal for the Yankees. Not this year, and maybe never, as you never know with prospects, but they had no real need for Sheff, and Abreu is a better option. Plus, after the injury, we really dont know how sheffield will do. This also frees up some cash to sign a Schmidt/Zito (Although I dont think they will sign Zito), good move for NY, not a terrible move by Detroit.

[Mattingly]

From Yankees.com:

Yankees acquire RHP Humberto Sanchez and two other prospects from Detroit Tigers in exchange for outfielder Gary Sheffield (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061110&content_id=1738698&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)
The New York Yankees announced today that they have acquired right-handed pitcher Humberto Sanchez, right-handed pitcher Kevin Whelan and right-handed pitcher Anthony Claggett from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for outfielder Gary Sheffield.

Sanchez, 23, posted a 10-6 record and ranked second among all Tigers' minor-league pitchers with a 2.63 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 20 games (20 starts) with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie in 2006 (123.0IP, 97H, 40R, 36ER, 47BB, 129K). He began the season with Erie, where he went 5-3 with a 1.76 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .190 batting average in 11 starts before being promoted to Triple-A Toledo in June. In his first five starts with Toledo, Sanchez went 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and was named the International League "Pitcher of the Week" from June 12-18. He finished the season with a 5-3 record and a 3.86 ERA in nine starts with the Mud Hens.

Sanchez, who attended high school in the Bronx, was named the Tigers' minor-league "Pitcher of the Month" in back-to-back months (May and June) after allowing just three earned runs over seven consecutive starts from May 17- June 18 (47.2IP, 49K). Sanchez entered the 2006 season ranked as the Tigers' sixth-best prospect, according to Baseball America. He was selected by the Tigers in the 31st round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

Whelan, 22, ranked third among all Tigers' minor-league pitchers with 27 saves in 2006, going 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 51 games for the Class-A Lakeland Tigers. He limited opposing hitters to a .178 batting average (33-for-185) and held right-handed hitters to a .158 average (18-for-114). In addition to being named a top prospect in the NY-Penn League following the 2005 season, Whelan also ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the entire Tigers' organization according to Baseball America. He was originally selected by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2005 draft out of Texas A&M University.

Claggett, 22, posted a 7-2 record with a team-best 0.91 ERA and 14 saves in 51 games for Class-A West Michigan in 2006 (59.1IP, 35H, 7R, 6ER, 20BB, 58K). He held opposing hitters to a .174 batting average (35-for-201) and did not allow a run in his final 10 appearances of the season. He was selected by the Tigers in the 11th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of UC Riverside.

Sheffield, 37, batted .298 (45-for-151) with six home runs and 25 RBI in 39 games for the Yankees in 2006. He missed a total of 117 team games while on the disabled list recovering from an injury to his left wrist. Sheffield was signed by the Yankees to a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year on Dec. 17, 2003.

[KHenry14]

This trade fills a need for both teams, will be interesting to see how this works out in a couple of years.

But boy, I don't know of another player in the History of Baseball who's as good as Sheff but has moved around as much. This guy wears out his welcome more than a weird uncle at Thanksgiving!

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Lame move by the Tigers. Sheffield will be 38 years old by Opening Day 2007 and some recent injury issues. The Tiger's couldn't have gone after some one younger? :rolleyes:

[jeterMVP]

Lame move by the Tigers. Sheffield will be 38 years old by Opening Day 2007 and some recent injury issues. The Tiger's couldn't have gone after some one younger? :rolleyes:
i agree...reading some scouting reports it sounds like cashman stole one from the tigers

looks like cashman knows what he's doing when he doesn't have the boss telling him what moves to make

[EvanAparra]

I think the Boss had something to do with it. He probably got tired of Sheffield staking out his IHOP. :)

[Mattingly]

Lame move by the Tigers. Sheffield will be 38 years old by Opening Day 2007 and some recent injury issues. The Tiger's couldn't have gone after some one younger? :rolleyes:
When I heard that the kitties offered him a 2-year extension, I figured that this seems like the rebirth of the Randy Johnson extension, except Randy was a "young age 41" when his trade to the Yanks was announced, by his own admission.

If he can stop complaining, co-operate and keep his wrist healthy, he'll be in good shape. He can't complain upon going to a playoff team that had beaten the Yanks (unfortunately), so it's no like he was traded to the Royals. Heck, I could see George Brett steaming mad coming out of the dugout on that one! :D Of course, he'd have to borrow some of Kenny Rogers' pine tar, but we won't discuss that much, now will we? :p

[DoubleX]

Bravo Brian Cashman - great to see the team trading over-priced and declining veterans for prospects instead of vice versa.

[jeterMVP]

so does this mean the yankees are going to make a run at soriano?

[ChrisLDuncan]

Lame move by the Tigers. Sheffield will be 38 years old by Opening Day 2007 and some recent injury issues. The Tiger's couldn't have gone after some one younger? :rolleyes:

He'll also start in RF on opening day, see no one thinks that Craig Biggio is a bad pick up for the Astros...so I don't see why Sheff isn't a good pick up for the Tigers. I mean he's good for 30/110 for the Tigers. The only problem I see is Sheff hitting in Cavernous Commerica park. Sheff is still a good option, for teams that don't want to drop some coin on Carlos Lee or Soriano.

[KCGHOST]

Why would the Tigers want to trade for a slugger and put him in Comerica. Why give him an extension and give up decent prospects?? WTF???

[Evangelion]

My only surprise would be the Tigers gave up that many prospects for Sheffield. The contract extension not surprising, but the giving up two more decent prospect seem like an overkill.

[Neilios]

I'm a little iffy on this one, but it's hard to argue the moves Dombrowski has made thus far. The guy assembled arguably the best middle infield in baseball by getting rid of a guy who ended up in jail and another who ended up coming back here anyway. He knows what he's doing. I just hope we didn't trade away another John Smoltz. But like Evan said, you never know with prospects...

[Zito75]

Good move for the Yanks, it seems like A-Rod would have to stay put now.

[plask_stirlac]

So Monroe will DH, Mags in LF, and Thames will be benched? Or does Leyland get Sheff to move to primary LF for the first time since 2001 or even DH?

[ChrisLDuncan]

I mean me personally as a Yankees fan I would have much rather gotten a major leaguer like Bonderman and a prospect or just straight up for Verlander. Sheff will help a team that batted .199 in the WS. He was hurt in a freak accident that if it happened to Vladimir Guerrerro no one would have said a thing, so I think he'll be fine for a season or two. He's playing in a place where he can DH, or play RF to keep his body fresh. He is an upgrade over Magglio Ordonez, and he can still hit. I think the year off will help his shoulders and help him get back to where he was in 2003. He isn't the same defender or the same runner, but he can still hit.

[TigersFanB406]

Lame move by the Tigers. Sheffield will be 38 years old by Opening Day 2007 and some recent injury issues. The Tiger's couldn't have gone after some one younger? :rolleyes:

What recent injury issues? Did he have multiple wrist injuries that I'm not aware of?

They didn't go after someone younger because they are serious about making another run next season. I feel with Sheffield they will succeed this time. Also, someone younger would have demanded a longer term and more expensive contract. And someone younger doesn't have 455 career home runs to boot.

[tigers527]

Humberto Sanchez hasn't pitched since July. He went out with an injury to his right forearm. He is 6"6" and 270lbs. He had a injury to his groin in 2005. Dombrowski chose to bring up other pitchers besides him these past two years.

[ChrisLDuncan]

So Monroe will DH, Mags in LF, and Thames will be benched? Or does Leyland get Sheff to move to primary LF for the first time since 2001 or even DH?

Actually it looks like Mags and Sheff will split time in RF, and Sheff and Monroe/Thames will split time DHing

[TigersFanB406]

Why would the Tigers want to trade for a slugger and put him in Comerica. Why give him an extension and give up decent prospects?? WTF???

My guess is to answer the constant demands for them to get a slugger. They gave him an extension because Sheffield wanted it and since the Tigers wanted him, they had to do it. Decent maybe, but the key word is still "prospects". I'd give up five decent prospects for a hall of fame hitter. Especially when my minor league system is FULL of decent prospects.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Yeah they needed that big bat, he's probably a little better for them than Carlos Lee will be. Lee can't really play RF or LF, plus he'll cost more and be around for longer, much more past his prime. Soriano would have been good but he wouldn't have hit 3 or 4 so Sheff is probably the best option for a Detroit team that needs a big bat. Jermaine Dye is on the market, but it is highly unlikely that he won't be resigned.

[TigersFanB406]

I agree with you. I think Gary Sheffield for three years is just about as perfect of a deal as they could get.

[hudsonharden]

Bravo Brian Cashman - great to see the team trading over-priced and declining veterans for prospects instead of vice versa.

Declining?!?! Let's look at the numbers from his last 3 full seasons:

2003 - 190 H, 39 HR, 132 RBI, .330 BA
2004 - 166 H, 36 HR, 121 RBI, .290 BA
2005 - 104 H, 34 HR, 123 RBI, .291 BA

Each year he finished top 10 in the MVP voting, including a second place finish in 2004. Those numbers are comparable to Reggie Jackson at the same age. Sheffield is far from decline.

[ChrisLDuncan]

I agree with you. I think Gary Sheffield for three years is just about as perfect of a deal as they could get.

Works out well for both teams too. The Yankees have plenty of offense and too many OFs/DHs and they need young pitching; the Tigers have young pitching and no real bat to speak of. Plus Sheff can still put up decent numbers. My only thing is where will the Tigers put Sheff, in the line up probably three or four.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Declining?!?! Let's look at the numbers from his last 3 full seasons:

2003 - 190 H, 39 HR, 132 RBI, .330 BA
2004 - 166 H, 36 HR, 121 RBI, .290 BA
2005 - 104 H, 34 HR, 123 RBI, .291 BA

Each year he finished top 10 in the MVP voting, including a second place finish in 2004. Those numbers are comparable to Reggie Jackson at the same age. Sheffield is far from decline.

He had 170 hits in 2005

[TigersFanB406]

Right on. The Yankees do get much needed young pitching so it works for both teams.

No idea where they'll put Sheff in the lineup though. Leyland said he made about thirty lineups last night and Sheff is anywhere from 3-5 I think.

[brooklyndodger14]

If ya can't beat 'em, TRADE for 'em!

Its nice to see the Evil Empire stocking up on Little Annakins for a change as opposed to past-their-prime Count Dookus..... LOL :rolleyes: :laugh


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Rookie1914]

Yep, the Tigers took that one on the chin. It's atypical to see the Yankees going for youth.

[Mariano_Rivera]

If ya can't beat 'em, TRADE for 'em!

Its nice to see the Evil Empire stocking up on Little Annakins for a change as opposed to past-their-prime Count Dookus..... LOL :rolleyes: :laugh


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14
Beautiful analogy :dance

[tigers527]

Yep, the Tigers took that one on the chin. It's atypical to see the Yankees going for youth.

I think the Yanks are going to go on the TLC channel and be on a show called "Flip These Prospects". It's a show were 3 Brian Cashman underlings each shop around this collection of players, just picked up today. The underling that gets the oldest, closest to retirement and highest paid future Hall of Famer wins an office decoration from those "Trading Spaces" people.

[Dalkowski110]

I'm a Tiger fan and I think this trade borders on the moronic! Sheffield is a probable steroider who is pulling 38 and strikes out a lot. Humberto Sanchez could have commanded some top-notch prospects from other pitching-hungry teams like the Mets, Mariners, and Rangers. Sheffield, on the other hand, I was expecting to go to one of the two Chicago teams. The Tigers need a left-handed hitting outfielder, not this guy, who is also clubhouse poision. Heck, J.D. Drew probably would have been a better choice! I'm not knocking Dave Dombrowski as a General Manager, but everyone screws up once in a while. DD just did.

[sandlot]

The elbow injury to Sanchez in July puts a big question mark in the middle of the equation. I too wonder how long all of these prospects will be with the Yankees. None of them solves the immediate problem the team has with its pitching staff, but they might be ingredients to finding a solution.

[TigersFanB406]

I'm a Tiger fan and I think this trade borders on the moronic! Sheffield is a probable steroider who is pulling 38 and strikes out a lot. Humberto Sanchez could have commanded some top-notch prospects from other pitching-hungry teams like the Mets, Mariners, and Rangers. Sheffield, on the other hand, I was expecting to go to one of the two Chicago teams. The Tigers need a left-handed hitting outfielder, not this guy, who is also clubhouse poision. Heck, J.D. Drew probably would have been a better choice! I'm not knocking Dave Dombrowski as a General Manager, but everyone screws up once in a while. DD just did.

And who says Drew wanted to come here? What if they tried for Drew and there was just no deal?

Last I checked there was nothing wrong with being a "probable steroider". How much is "strikes out a lot"? Does he strike out more than he gets on base? He gets on base more than anyone else on the Tigers.

We'll have to agree to disagree then.

P.S. You'll be on the Sheff bandwagon by next June. :gt

[tigers527]

I'm a Tiger fan and I think this trade borders on the moronic! Sheffield is a probable steroider who is pulling 38 and strikes out a lot. Humberto Sanchez could have commanded some top-notch prospects from other pitching-hungry teams like the Mets, Mariners, and Rangers. Sheffield, on the other hand, I was expecting to go to one of the two Chicago teams. The Tigers need a left-handed hitting outfielder, not this guy, who is also clubhouse poision. Heck, J.D. Drew probably would have been a better choice! I'm not knocking Dave Dombrowski as a General Manager, but everyone screws up once in a while. DD just did.

For a team to pick up a HOFer and not give up any talent on their roster, is not all that bad? With the starting pitching the Tigers are currently featuring, and the fellows that are on their way up. I am not to worried about giving up on Sanchez, as he has yet to get through a Minor League season without injury. At his best I picture Sanchez, being a more injury prone Bartolo Colon. If that does happen and maybe he stays healthier then he has been thus far, I guess, it is Smoltz part 2. However, if Sheffield takes the Tigers further then Alexander did, I guess it would be worth it.

The situation that seems a bit simular, would be the hope that Sheffield will be the Tigers, Rasheed Wallace. Sheed came to the Pistons with much the same "baggage" that we are now hearing about Sheffield. If the results are the same and the Tigers can win a WS in Sheffields first year, I would not mind. Oh well, time will tell.

[TigersFanB406]

Don't we want our players to have a bit of an attitude in Detroit anyways?

[Brannu]

The article I read had Sheffield DHing ... and, to me, that works completely into the needs of Detroit. Sheffield will be concentrating on hitting .. in the middle of an already good lineup. Wow.

I think Detroit just got better. Plus, I think The Yankees better hurry up and do something with that pitching they just got, because ... the same formula for next year will get them similar results. :) Which I don't mind ...

[ElHalo]

The elbow injury to Sanchez in July puts a big question mark in the middle of the equation. I too wonder how long all of these prospects will be with the Yankees. None of them solves the immediate problem the team has with its pitching staff, but they might be ingredients to finding a solution.

Sanchez is a nice prospect, with a big injury history. He's not coming to the Yanks to be a saviour-type propsect. He's somebody who'll be good to have around when one of the pitching dinosaurs inevitably goes down and we need a sixth/seventh starter. Maybe he'll work out, maybe he won't; but the fact that we got promising young pitching is a good start. I'm actually more interested in the other two guys, who seem to be slow developing but solid middle relief guys. Middle relief really is the Yankees' number one problem, and where I think they really need to focus their energies.

We already have one of the best pitching prospects in the game in Philip Hughes, who hopefully can be stepping into the Yanks' rotation by the All Star break (seriously, have you seen this guy's numbers? They're just insanity). We don't need another A+ prospect, but it's nice to have another B+ prospect.

[AlecBoy006]

Aha! THIS is what they needed. I feel this Tiger team will be better in 07 than 06.

[Evangelion]

I wonder if people realized Sanchez's weight isn't too ideal, even at 6'6''?

[Rapmaster]

I'm a Tiger fan and I think this trade borders on the moronic! Sheffield is a probable steroider who is pulling 38 and strikes out a lot. Humberto Sanchez could have commanded some top-notch prospects from other pitching-hungry teams like the Mets, Mariners, and Rangers. Sheffield, on the other hand, I was expecting to go to one of the two Chicago teams. The Tigers need a left-handed hitting outfielder, not this guy, who is also clubhouse poision. Heck, J.D. Drew probably would have been a better choice! I'm not knocking Dave Dombrowski as a General Manager, but everyone screws up once in a while. DD just did.

I dunno about that. He's a speculated PED user and nothing about his statistics since the testing program went into action indicates that he's heavily reliant on steroids for his results.

Sheffield strikes out a lot? I have no clue where you heard that from, he's got probably one of the quickest swings in the game. He's got virtually no holes in his strike zone. His career high was 83 strikeouts. Remember that Thames, Monroe, and Granderson's career highs are much higher than that.

From what I've seen, he's a media target. He demands a good bit of money in his contracts, but he rarely delivers what he's expected to do. 1997 and 2006 were the only true exceptions. And 1997 was just short on primary statistics, his OPS+ was still 134. He hustles on the field, I watched him heavily over the past few years (after he was traded to Atlanta) and there's nothing you can complain about on the field. From what I've seen, he's a hell of a team player when it comes to in-game issues. He's participated in rundowns when he played for Atlanta from RF.

He's not the same defensively (shoulder issues hinder his range of motion in his left arm), but he's still far from a Barry Bonds in right. However, his still not a log-jam on the basepaths, still is a formidable threat at the plate, and the fact that he's not a lefty doesn't really hurt the team. The four outfielders they had were Ordonez, Monroe, Granderson, and Thames. One of them is gonna get pushed out (probably Thames) . It's a lateral move, righty for righty. I personally think the batting side argument is moot at times. Certain players can hit, period (though it tends to be righties). Sheffield is one of them. He's got great statistics against righties and saying that an lefty brings in an advantage over him just plays bias to old baseball logic.

[mtortolero]

Bad trade for Tigers adding tons of $ to the payroll in another right hand hitter to hit in Comerica and playing RF, the same possition of the most expensive player of the team (Ordoñez).
If you add the age and the injuries issue the thing seems moronic as someone says. I think they must put Ordonez or Monroe in the market and try to find a lefthand 1B with some sop.

[tigers527]

Bad trade for Tigers adding tons of $ to the payroll in another right hand hitter to hit in Comerica and playing RF, the same possition of the most expensive player of the team (Ordoñez).
If you add the age and the injuries issue the thing seems moronic as someone says. I think they must put Ordonez or Monroe in the market and try to find a lefthand 1B with some sop.

I have never really cared about the $ on the payroll. In fact it is kind of nice to see the team spending money. I have said in the past (when trying to get the Tigers to throw their hat in the Roger Clemens sweepstakes from last year) , that I would indeed pay an extra dollar per beer and even buy an extra beer at every game, if they turn that money into "on the field" issues.

As to the right handed bats, I really don't think the Tigers had that bad of a record v RHPs last year. So, does the L v R matchup mean as much as the pundants like to point out? I would not think so, as long as you have players that can swing it. FYI the Tigers record v RHP 62-47 .569 and v LHP 33-20 .623 (about a 5 game swing between the 2 records)

To the too many RH outfielders. The hole the Tigers are trying to fill here is not in the OF, it is the DH. With the exception of the Dmitri Young time with the Tigers last year. The Tigers DH position was consistantly batting in the bottom 1/3 of the line up (7th-9th). Even in the WS it was said that playing in the NL park should not "hurt" the Tigers as most AL teams since they do not rely on the DH. Being an AL team, and having the option of picking up a power bat, it should never be said you don't lose much in the NL parks.

To 1B...I would not mind seeing Casey and I hear he wants to play here again. Just resign him. If not that see if Shelton can find himself, although hopefully not count on that. If doing nothing the Tigers still have Josh Phelps (who tore up the International league last year), a guy with some MLB expierence, and someone I would not mind seeing get another shot.

[Old Sweater]

Now the Yankees have a VERY legit farm system with two serious gem prospects in Phillip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez. I'd say the Yankees got the better of the deals Sheff's still a dangerous hitter and a decent fielder with a good arm in right. But he's only got about a year and a half left. The move to Detroit might not get him to 500 but hopefully he'll tack on some numbers that get him to the hall.

Year and a half, huh? You roll the dice or flip a coin on this conclusion?

[ChrisLDuncan]

I'm a Tiger fan and I think this trade borders on the moronic! Sheffield is a probable steroider who is pulling 38 and strikes out a lot. Humberto Sanchez could have commanded some top-notch prospects from other pitching-hungry teams like the Mets, Mariners, and Rangers. Sheffield, on the other hand, I was expecting to go to one of the two Chicago teams. The Tigers need a left-handed hitting outfielder, not this guy, who is also clubhouse poision. Heck, J.D. Drew probably would have been a better choice! I'm not knocking Dave Dombrowski as a General Manager, but everyone screws up once in a while. DD just did.


Ummm, no JD Drew would not have been a better choice. Yeah Sheff may strike out 'alot' but he walks alot, alot more. Also speaking of strike outs, don't the Tigers still have Curtis Granderson? Sheff doesn't really have long standing wrist problems, he ran into Shea Hillenbrand, it's that simple. Sheff's still going to be around for another year and a half to two years.

[Rookie1914]

Ummm, no JD Drew would not have been a better choice. Yeah Sheff may strike out 'alot' but he walks alot, alot more. Also speaking of strike outs, don't the Tigers still have Curtis Granderson? Sheff doesn't really have long standing wrist problems, he ran into Shea Hillenbrand, it's that simple. Sheff's still going to be around for another year and a half to two years.

Sheff may be around longer DHing.

[PhilWings24]

maaan the yankees got a good deal here.

they got a potential front of the rotation, probable mid of the rotation, guy in humberto sanchez, as well as 2 other prospects worth being a little excited over.

nice job, yankeeface cashman.

[hellborn]

This trade fills a need for both teams, will be interesting to see how this works out in a couple of years.

But boy, I don't know of another player in the History of Baseball who's as good as Sheff but has moved around as much. This guy wears out his welcome more than a weird uncle at Thanksgiving!
How about Hornsby?

[EvanAparra]

How about Hornsby?
Thats true, but he was actually with one team for about 12 years.. Id be surprised if Sheff lasted for more than 4 yrs on any team.

[Rookie1914]

Thats true, but he was actually with one team for about 12 years.. Id be surprised if Sheff lasted for more than 4 yrs on any team.

He's too old to prove you wrong now :laugh