Free Gary: The Remix

Aww, poor Gary. Gary Sheffield is still a Yankee. As expected, the Yankees exercised his option, which means the Yankees hold Sheffield's future in their hands as they're preventing him from entering the free agent market. Hopefully, his stay is only temporary.
As I mentioned last week in a post titled "Free Gary," I'm not a proponent of keeping Gary Sheffield in Pinstripes for the 2007 campaign. There are a lot better things to spend $13 million on, like starting pitching. But as has been the Yankee way for quite some time now, money isn't an issue. I can understand why Brian Cashman made this move. The Yankees can now control what happens to Gary Sheffield. It was thought that the Boston Red Sox were one of the teams most interested in signing Sheffield if he were a free agent. That can't happen now. The Yankees hold his future in their hands. They can trade him if the right deal comes along. Or if talks happen to break down, the Yankees can always keep him and find a place for him in the lineup, whether it's as a DH or as the first baseman. It's not like having Gary Sheffield's bat in the lineup is a bad thing. But I for one hope Gary has another place to call home come the start of next season.
The Yankees don't need Gary Sheffield. There is no way you put Sheffield in RF over Bobby Abreu. Giambi may not be the greatest fielding first baseman, but he's got a Gold Glove compared to Sheffield. As soon as I saw Gary try to make a basket catch on a throw from second, I knew he could never make it at that position. For those that remember that play, he dropped the ball. I would much rather see the Yankees make a run with Giambi at first over Sheffield. Gary doesn't exactly strike me as a clubhouse favorite either. He reminds me a lot of Reggie Jackson in the way that Reggie thought he was the straw that stirred the drink. Let him go stink up another team's clubhouse.
The question isn't, will the Yankees trade him? There's no two ways about it. He's gone. The real question is, what will they get for him? The Yankees biggest need is starting pitching. I don't think a team is going to be willing to part with the type of pitcher the Yankees need in exchange for Sheffield. Unless you're a contender at the trading deadline with a surplus of starting pitching, you don't trade a young gun for an expensive aging veteran with a 1-year contract. It just doesn't happen. They're also not in the market for offense. There is one open spot in the lineup. If they really need the bat, they'd keep Sheff. The Yankees are likely going to get some kind of package deal. A few prospects to help strengthen the farm system? Relievers to shore up the bullpen? Role players to better the bench. All of the above? Whatever it is, I can't picture it being a lot. Time will tell. Cashman's a smart guy. He'll no doubt make the smart move. The smart move is dumping Sheffield.
I said it before. I'll say it again. Free Gary!
J