Did the Detroit Tigers give up too much for Gary Sheffield?

Answer 1

They shouldn't have given up Sanchez. The Yanks were looking to just dump Sheffield and save the money.

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Answer 2

Yes they did. Everyone blames A-Rod for not coming through in the clutch in the post-season, but Sheffield was just as bad. Everyone saw the Tigers beat the Yankees last year, did anyone see Sheffield to anything with the bat? No, because he sucked, just like almost every Yankee did.

As a Yankee fan, I think it was a great trade. We got rid of a guy who is never happy, injury-prone, and who made a lot of money for three prospects, one of whom, Humberto Sanchez will contribute to the Yankees this season, either as a mid-season call-up in the rotation or in the bullpen as a set up guy. He is just what we needed. If it was the other way around, and my team traded three prospects for Sheffield, I would not have been happy at all. Detroit gave up too much because the Yankees were glad to get rid of Sheffield, and would have taken almost anything to get rid of him. It will be only a matter of time before he starts sulking because he doesn't like being a DH.

BTW, Tiger fans liked to chant "steroids" when Giambi and Sheffield came up to bat. Will they do the same now that Sheffield is a Tiger?

Answer 3

In a way, yes. The 3 pitchers we gave up are going to be good pitchers once they mature. But The Tigers (thanks to David Dombrowski) are pretty well stocked in their farm system, so we could afford them.

I love how some (not all) yankees fans are delighted to get rid of Sheffield, and how they say his "injury" and "attitude" will hurt The Tigers.

One thing they forget to mention is the reason Sheffield had an attitude was because of all the other "egos" on that team.
Jimmy Leyland will have none of that mess. He treats all of his players with the respect they deserve. Not saying Joe Torre doesn't, but when you have 25 "super-egos" on one team, someone's ego is bound to be bruised.

I think both teams benefited on that trade, I think The Tigers more (at least for this year) because Sheffield will make The Tigers that much more better.

Answer 4

Not really. Their main piece that they gave up was in an area that they are very strong in. Also, they just fielded a team that made it to the world series- and still have the whole core of the team intact. Adding a veteran hitter who is coming off a down year is a great example of buying low.

If Sheffield pans out, they're a considerably better team than last year and could contend well into the post season. Considering they won't be able to pay all their starting pitching forever, they need to try to pick up players for the next season or two- not try to stockpile in areas they are already strong in. And as far as upside, I don't think any team in the AL picked up a hitter with more talent than Sheffield.

Answer 5

I do not think so. Humberto Sanchez was shut down at the end of the year for a sore arm. He may not come through (or any of the other two young pitchers) and be major leaguers.

Gary Sheffield provides a big bat that has been needed, and he does not strike out much. I think he will help with his play and with his playing leadership. I am not much for his personality I have seen over the past 15 years, but hey, I don't have to live with the guy.

Answer 6

When you only lose one pitcher with major league pitching experience through the whole offseason, giving up a few prospects won't hurt you. It isn't like the Tigers pitching staff sucked last year and we needed our minor leaguers to make the jump to the big leagues this year.

And signing Sheffield gave us a legitimate DH...unlike the "DH by committee" with 3 or 4 players last year. In the end, this doesn't hurt either team. The Stank's got rid of a player they didn't want and we got a real live designated hitter. World Series, here we come...well, playoffs anyway.

Answer 7

Yes they did. Im a yankee fan and I love the move. Not only did we dump a old gary sheffield that is coming off a injury. We got all these great prospects that we can use as trade bait in the middle of the season, to bulk up the team.

Answer 8

I think it was a good move, cause Tigers have Zumaya as there future closer, and that's probably what Sanchez will be, and they have a bunch of other excellent pitchers in there minor league system in Andrew Miller and others, and with Dombrowski signing an extension he'll keep bringin up more and more pitching prospects like Verlander, Zumaya and Miller, to help the future, and Bonderman and Miner r both still young pitchers also learning from Kenny Rogers Leyland, and Jim Leyland got along perfect with Sheffield in Florida and Sheff said he loved havin Leyland as manager which is why he was happy to come here, and he'll be ok with playing DH, and will probably split lots of time in RF with him and Maggs switching back and forth to DH and RF alot, so I think trade was fine

Answer 9

I think the window can close so fast in MLB, they were right in gambling some great prospects. They really do have enough young pitchers to justify the risk I think! They are "going for broke" and I applaud them for that move. Even if Sheffield gets hurt and bombs and Humberto Sanchez becomes a star, I think some teams hold onto their prospects too tightly instead of grabbing their chance at a championship in the present.
i am a Twins fan, so I hate to say it, but i like the move from Det's perspective. It took huevos!

Answer 10

Maybe, but Sheffield will give them the pop they need in the middle of their lineup. If he stays healthy the Tigers will be there in October.