Gary Sheffield leaving the Yanks?

Question

Gary Sheffeild was traded to the Tigers quickly following the end of the 2006 season. Was this a good move?

Answer 1

Of course it was a good move. Shef is an outfielder. With Abreu, Damon, Matsui, and Cabrera, the Yanks have a full outfield and a backup player in case someone gets hurt or is tired. For this reason, Shef is not needed defensively. (He's not good enough at 1b to be considered significantly helpful in the infield.) Offensively, Shef is great. However, he is old, expensive, and prone to injuries. He was out for last year and he has had shoulder problems throughout his career. In fact, I don't know if this was only temporary, but as far as I can recall, there was a time when he couldn't lift his left arm above his head to catch balls without being in pain. Considering that Sheffield is the Yanks 5th outfielder, has a high salary, and is not usually healthy, he is not an integral part of the team.

Next, let's look at who the Yanks got in return: prospects. Most people don't pay any attention to the minor leagues, but the Yanks don't have a strong farm system. With a team of aging stars, prospects are exactly what they need. (I think one of the players they got was a pitcher. Pitching is another thing the Yanks need, especially since Pettite will only play for a year or two more. However, the Shef trade occured before the Yanks signed Pettite or negotiated with that lefty from Japan.)

Sheffield is definitely a valuable player, but he's not a good fit for the Yankees and their needs. The prospects are exactly what the Yanks need. The trade helps the Yankees greatly and has few drawbacks.

Answer 2

I think it was an excellant move. They got a future Ace and two solid relievers. Sheffield has been whining and he tears the lockerroom apart more then he brings it together. Abreu in my opinion is the all around better player. He doesn't have as much presents as sheffield but he takes pitches and makes a pitcher work, that was key to the Yankees success in the late 90s, he also has a better arm and a better defender then Sheffield in right, and has more speed. I think his power numbers will be back up this year especially with the short porch in right. It is always better to have a power Lefty in new york then a righty based on the fences in right and left.

Answer 3

I think The Yankees got one past The Tigers on this one.

Those 3 pitchers The Tigers gave up will be very good.
However, they won't be ready for the majors until 2008 (at the lastest). Should The Yankees decide to keep them, they will provide some good solid pitching for years to come.

Whereas The Tigers have Sheffield for 3 years, and we hope he stays healthy.

Answer 4

Yes, it was a very bad move. Now with Pettitte also, the Yankees pitching is all set, they don't need new minor-league pitchers. The Yankees don't need Humberto Sanchez, they need Gary Sheffield. The worst move the Yankees ever made concerning Gary was putting him at first base. I've seen him play at 1st, he doesn't glove the ball, he blocks it with his body from going too far. Gary is great at playing right field and he has a great arm. He is also one of the best power hitters the Yankees have ever had. He came in 2nd in the 2004 AL MVP voting. This was the worst move ever.

Answer 5

We don't need Sheffield, The Tigers do,we needed the pitchers we got from the Tigers for him,Listen i'm not taking anything away from Sheffield he's a powerhouse,But i'm glad he's gone,Abreu will do anything to drive in runs,Shef is a home run hitter,And Abreu is younger,I think both sides got good deal,Sheffield will do great with the Tigers!! And we need the young pitchers we got from them!!

Answer 6

Yes. They gave away nobody. They got some young pitching and let the tigers have, at this point in shef's career, a little better than average dh/outfeilder. Yeah I think both teams benefitted from the trade but the Yankees made a really nice deal.

Answer 7

It could be and it could not. Everybody knows the "Boss" and he hates talky players. Sheffield talks to much smack so they got rid of him. And it could be a good move because now they have the great player, Bobby Abreuu, he may not hit 50 HRs a year, but he hits for average!

Answer 8

I believe yes because of the fact Gary was going to be a really bad locker influence for them because of the fact torre may not play him as much because they got Abreu and lokking at Gary play first he is not that reliable at that position and if you want him to DH thaen where is Gian=mbi going to play not on the bench because he aint going back to first no time soon.He would also not help Melky in playing because he would want to rob his playing time. I have nothing against gary he is a greatplayer but it was him time to go, all the pieces to his yankees career got lost somewhere and ha aint going to look for it now cuz he on another team peace out.

Answer 9

Gary has a reputation of being a complainer and a whiner.. They will miss his bat but not his attitude. Good move for the Yankees.

Chow!!

Answer 10

sheffield has been a clubhouse cancer everywhere he's played....he
would've been a problem in new york because abreu is gonna play right field and sheffield didn't want to play first, when he did play 1st he was horrible....i hate the yankees but they made the smart move, will it be a good move? time will tell.