Gary Sheffield: 2008 - Detroit Tigers. 2009 - $400k: Take it away Mr. Hulse.

So let me get this straight….

If the Mets sign Sheffield for $400k and he sucks, they cut him and lose $400k.

If the Mets sign Sheffield for $400k and he finds the Wayback Machine (i.e: “flaxseed oil”) and hits like .295 with 35 HR, 110 RBI, and decent enough defense, it’s the steal of the year. Like, all time steal. Epicsteal.

The fact that he’d be playing one year in the hopes of getting another contract, coupled with the fact that he’s a malcontent which means he’ll bust his ass just to prove Jim Leyland wrong because in his screwed up head that’s how you do business…I might have to say I’m on board with giving it a shot. Besides the fact that he’s a massive douchenozzle…. I’m failing to see the issue here.

To the locker room cancer argument — henceforth known as “The Marbury Effect” in New York.

I’d say the fact that Marbury played for 21 million more than free hurt more than his attitude. The lack of any discernible leadership to control him on the Knicks let his attitude destroy the team. Plus they were on the hook for the kind of money that makes cutting that player impossible. Bottom line, I’m not saying he’s gonna light it up, and if his glove is that bad he may pinch hit. If he becomes an issue, he’s cut and they move on at a bargain rate. Ultimately this is as low risk as it gets with a really high reward ceiling. Like I said, what if he comes along, hits .295, 35 bombs, 100 RBI, and his glove work isn’t so horrific it makes him useless?

Also, long as i’m the only one selling this as potentially good….a couple years ago I remember reading an article about Jason Giambi who claimed that he didn’t like to DH because he didn’t get his head into the game as much and he felt uncomfortable at the plate. If you look up his numbers, (ed note: .246/.387/.478 at DH vs. .303/.426/.566 at 1B) his DH splits are really bad compared to his 1B stats. Part of that of course is that he played 1B in his prime, but still, part of it makes sense that sitting around doesn’t help a guy. Sheff has similar splits (.256/.361/.457 at DH vs. .29.413/.537 at RF), so maybe he’s just not good to DH because he needs to play both sides of the ball to stay in the game mentally.

Also it’s ultimately a contract year which is always a good thing to get on the cheap, a la Pudge in 2003 (when everyone said he was done and he rejuvenated his career to the tune of 40 mil from Detroit).

PECOTA’s got him at .247/.344/.420 for 2009. For $400k and a serviceable glove in right field? Sure, why not?

Prediction: 90 starts. .276/.340/.490 — 20 HR, 85 RBI.