Shorty|*|RocK89
02-28-2006, 05:18 PM
Sick of Sheffield? Mad at Manny? Switch 'em!
February 27, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- There is big trouble brewing 120 miles down I-75 in Fort Myers, where they're still waiting on Manny Ramirez. And even when Ramirez arrives (Wednesday supposedly is the magic day), he'll surely have one eye on the exit.
There's a little trouble surfacing here in Yankees camp, too, a little more trouble than the Yankees either know about or will admit to. Gary Sheffield has begun talking publicly about his contract, and although he's been quiet two straight days now, anyone who knows Sheffield knows full well we haven't heard the end of this.
Five Towns College
Perhaps there's one crazy way that baseball's bitterest rivals can help themselves, and if they absolutely have to, help each other. Here's my fanciful idea: Trade one mixed-up malcontent straight-up for the other.
To this point, there's no evidence this is something that's been discussed, thought of or perhaps even imagined in the wildest dreams of the two teams. The first problem, among many, is this: Who makes that first painful phone call?
Still, it doesn't hurt to ponder the possibilities.
Ramirez is acting as if Red Sox camp is the last place he wants to be, and apparently it's no act. Knowing Ramirez was tiring of the hubbub of the Hub, good buddy Johnny Damon tried selling Ramirez his home in Brookline, Mass., where presumably there'd be far fewer fanatics following his every move. Damon told him Brookline would be a way to get away. But in effect, Ramirez responded: It's not far enough away.
"He doesn't expect to be there," Damon said. "And he doesn't want to be there."
Sheffield expects and wants to be where he is. But without his contract option for 2007 being picked up, there's no telling how long that will last. Nothing's happened so far, beyond general manager Brian Cashman helpfully telling Sheffield he foresees eventually picking up his $13-million option. And yet, Sheffield already has found ways to misunderstand, to overreact and to threaten.
If nothing else, it's clear how this will play out. Unless the Yankees do what's downright foolish and immediately exercise that option, this only gets worse from here. And judging from history, the possibilities range from Sheffield publicly ripping teammates' salaries (he did that in Los Angeles) to purposely throwing balls away (that was in Milwaukee).
"Don't test me," Sheffield warned the other day.
I say, fine, don't test him. Trade him.
If either team can get past the hatred between them and consider the logic, they'll realize how much sense this makes.
With Ramirez, the Yankees get a New Yorker, the nicer guy, and what's more, the better hitter. Sheffield is supremely talented, but as one American League scout pointed out, "As a clutch hitter, Sheffield's not even in the same league as Manny Ramirez."
The Red Sox, surely tiring of trying to appease Ramirez, would get a superb middle-of-the-order hitter. Plus, their notoriously dispassionate executives would get him at far fewer dollars, which they should love.
Heck, the Red Sox could grant Sheffield's wish by exercising his option and still save $31 million. The Red Sox tried for years to find a new home for Ramirez, but this is one way to accomplish that while remaining a contender and simultaneously saving megabucks.
Sheffield always guarantees he'll get the last word. But not in this case. As a 10-and-5 player, Ramirez is the only one who can determine his own fate. Meanwhile, Sheffield remains hampered by having the world's worst agent (himself). His only recourse is to put up a stink, which is his specialty.
As for Ramirez, his soap opera continues in Boston as long as he stays. "Manny is a great person. I love him, and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body," Damon said. "But he's been there five years, and sometimes it is too much for him."
According to Damon, the fans have been there when Ramirez has left his Ritz-Carlton suite, and everywhere else, too. At first, Ramirez was leery of coming to New York. But now, finally, Damon said Ramirez would be open to doing that.
"I've told him it's a lot different," said Damon, who was talking to Ramirez in terms of joining the Mets. "It's not in your face all the time."
It's funny that Ramirez, who grew up in Washington Heights, needs to be informed about New York by Damon, who grew up in Orlando and hasn't played a home game in New York. But that's Manny. He does oddball things. He can be trying. But he is never threatening. Damon is right; he doesn't have a mean bone. He will entertain, he will amuse and he will hit like there's no tomorrow.
For today, there's no trade discussion. It's not even a thought. "Gary Sheffield is going to be an impact player for us, and nobody else," Cashman said.
Until further notice, this trade is about as likely to happen as George Steinbrenner showing up on a cool day without a white turtleneck. Maybe it simply makes too much sense.
Tale of the tape
Sheffield Ramirez
37 Age 33
Gary Sheffield Agent Greg Genske
$13M in '06, plus $13M club option in '07 Salary 2006-08: $57M
"Don't 'play' me"Signature phrase "Manny being Manny"
Chip on shoulder Achilles' heel Brain cramps
18 Seasons 13
2,345 Career hits 1,922
449 Home runs 435
8 100-RBI seasons 10
1,476 RBIs 1,414
.297 Batting avg. .314
1 World Series rings 1
What do we think?
February 27, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- There is big trouble brewing 120 miles down I-75 in Fort Myers, where they're still waiting on Manny Ramirez. And even when Ramirez arrives (Wednesday supposedly is the magic day), he'll surely have one eye on the exit.
There's a little trouble surfacing here in Yankees camp, too, a little more trouble than the Yankees either know about or will admit to. Gary Sheffield has begun talking publicly about his contract, and although he's been quiet two straight days now, anyone who knows Sheffield knows full well we haven't heard the end of this.
Five Towns College
Perhaps there's one crazy way that baseball's bitterest rivals can help themselves, and if they absolutely have to, help each other. Here's my fanciful idea: Trade one mixed-up malcontent straight-up for the other.
To this point, there's no evidence this is something that's been discussed, thought of or perhaps even imagined in the wildest dreams of the two teams. The first problem, among many, is this: Who makes that first painful phone call?
Still, it doesn't hurt to ponder the possibilities.
Ramirez is acting as if Red Sox camp is the last place he wants to be, and apparently it's no act. Knowing Ramirez was tiring of the hubbub of the Hub, good buddy Johnny Damon tried selling Ramirez his home in Brookline, Mass., where presumably there'd be far fewer fanatics following his every move. Damon told him Brookline would be a way to get away. But in effect, Ramirez responded: It's not far enough away.
"He doesn't expect to be there," Damon said. "And he doesn't want to be there."
Sheffield expects and wants to be where he is. But without his contract option for 2007 being picked up, there's no telling how long that will last. Nothing's happened so far, beyond general manager Brian Cashman helpfully telling Sheffield he foresees eventually picking up his $13-million option. And yet, Sheffield already has found ways to misunderstand, to overreact and to threaten.
If nothing else, it's clear how this will play out. Unless the Yankees do what's downright foolish and immediately exercise that option, this only gets worse from here. And judging from history, the possibilities range from Sheffield publicly ripping teammates' salaries (he did that in Los Angeles) to purposely throwing balls away (that was in Milwaukee).
"Don't test me," Sheffield warned the other day.
I say, fine, don't test him. Trade him.
If either team can get past the hatred between them and consider the logic, they'll realize how much sense this makes.
With Ramirez, the Yankees get a New Yorker, the nicer guy, and what's more, the better hitter. Sheffield is supremely talented, but as one American League scout pointed out, "As a clutch hitter, Sheffield's not even in the same league as Manny Ramirez."
The Red Sox, surely tiring of trying to appease Ramirez, would get a superb middle-of-the-order hitter. Plus, their notoriously dispassionate executives would get him at far fewer dollars, which they should love.
Heck, the Red Sox could grant Sheffield's wish by exercising his option and still save $31 million. The Red Sox tried for years to find a new home for Ramirez, but this is one way to accomplish that while remaining a contender and simultaneously saving megabucks.
Sheffield always guarantees he'll get the last word. But not in this case. As a 10-and-5 player, Ramirez is the only one who can determine his own fate. Meanwhile, Sheffield remains hampered by having the world's worst agent (himself). His only recourse is to put up a stink, which is his specialty.
As for Ramirez, his soap opera continues in Boston as long as he stays. "Manny is a great person. I love him, and he doesn't have a mean bone in his body," Damon said. "But he's been there five years, and sometimes it is too much for him."
According to Damon, the fans have been there when Ramirez has left his Ritz-Carlton suite, and everywhere else, too. At first, Ramirez was leery of coming to New York. But now, finally, Damon said Ramirez would be open to doing that.
"I've told him it's a lot different," said Damon, who was talking to Ramirez in terms of joining the Mets. "It's not in your face all the time."
It's funny that Ramirez, who grew up in Washington Heights, needs to be informed about New York by Damon, who grew up in Orlando and hasn't played a home game in New York. But that's Manny. He does oddball things. He can be trying. But he is never threatening. Damon is right; he doesn't have a mean bone. He will entertain, he will amuse and he will hit like there's no tomorrow.
For today, there's no trade discussion. It's not even a thought. "Gary Sheffield is going to be an impact player for us, and nobody else," Cashman said.
Until further notice, this trade is about as likely to happen as George Steinbrenner showing up on a cool day without a white turtleneck. Maybe it simply makes too much sense.
Tale of the tape
Sheffield Ramirez
37 Age 33
Gary Sheffield Agent Greg Genske
$13M in '06, plus $13M club option in '07 Salary 2006-08: $57M
"Don't 'play' me"Signature phrase "Manny being Manny"
Chip on shoulder Achilles' heel Brain cramps
18 Seasons 13
2,345 Career hits 1,922
449 Home runs 435
8 100-RBI seasons 10
1,476 RBIs 1,414
.297 Batting avg. .314
1 World Series rings 1
What do we think?