THE Mets pulled Gary Sheffield off waivers last week when he was claimed by an unidentified team. This means Sheffield cannot be traded for the remainder of the season. He can be placed on waivers again, but this time, the Mets would not be able to negate a claim.
This means that they would lose their most professional hitter left standing for nothing by going that route, not even financial relief, since the Mets are only paying him $400,000 for the season after the Tigers released him toward the end of spring training.
Still, even given that set of circumstances, Sheffield told The Post last night that he does not expect to finish the year in a Mets uniform and he might not even finish the year in major league uniform, period.
"Based on what I know now, no, I do not think I will be here," Sheffield said before the Mets' 9-4 victory over the Braves at Citi Field. "But if I am sent to a team that I don't want to play for, I would go home.
"I have to look at everything. People always say they are going to do the right thing for you, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. If I don't take care of myself, who will? That's what I focus on."
Sheffield, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Mets' eight-run, 10-hit fourth inning, has been taking care of himself and his teammates all season. He's batting .290 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 245 at-bats. He certainly would be a formidable weapon for a contender in need of a right-handed bat.
According to industry sources, Florida and Texas are in search of such a commodity. As an NL team, the Marlins, for whom Sheffield played from 1993 to 1998, would get their shot at a claim before the Rangers.
This means that they would lose their most professional hitter left standing for nothing by going that route, not even financial relief, since the Mets are only paying him $400,000 for the season after the Tigers released him toward the end of spring training.
Still, even given that set of circumstances, Sheffield told The Post last night that he does not expect to finish the year in a Mets uniform and he might not even finish the year in major league uniform, period.
"Based on what I know now, no, I do not think I will be here," Sheffield said before the Mets' 9-4 victory over the Braves at Citi Field. "But if I am sent to a team that I don't want to play for, I would go home.
"I have to look at everything. People always say they are going to do the right thing for you, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. If I don't take care of myself, who will? That's what I focus on."
Sheffield, who went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs in the Mets' eight-run, 10-hit fourth inning, has been taking care of himself and his teammates all season. He's batting .290 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs in 245 at-bats. He certainly would be a formidable weapon for a contender in need of a right-handed bat.
According to industry sources, Florida and Texas are in search of such a commodity. As an NL team, the Marlins, for whom Sheffield played from 1993 to 1998, would get their shot at a claim before the Rangers.
Man, one more bat could put us over the top.
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