The Tigers just announced they have released Gary Sheffieild. They claim he lacks versatility and can only DH. They still have to pay him a ton of money. I suppose it gives Thames more at bats. Perhaps just too old. Critics said he could not get around on a fast ball any more.
That’s just what management WANTS you to think.
Really, they want to replace him with a timid, docile, obedient Hispanic player.
Hardly any player gets to retire completely voluntarily. Sheff had a fine career, sure, but the Tigers’ decision is hard to argue with.
You mentioned their continued contract obligation. One thing that constantly sets my teeth on edge is the claim that a team is induced to keep a high-salaried player to avoid “eating his contract”. That is a fallacy, which in business is called “sunk cost”. Baseball contracts (unlike football) are guaranteed. The team has to pay the guy whether he’s on the roster or not. The roster decision does not in any way affect the team’s costs and the size of a contract has no right to in any way affect a roster decision. The only cost difference is the contract value of the guy the team keeps instead. Releasing Sheffield costs Detroit only the difference between MLB minimum wage and the minor league contract of the rookie they’re keeping instead - and so what, really?
Releasing a guy is not “eating his contract”, in fact that term applies more fairly to *keeping *him. Releasing a high-contract but worn-out player is only a negative in that it reflects poorly on the team’s earlier judgment in giving him that contract in the first place. That is why you see teams doing so reluctantly, not the money.
DAMMIT
Funny, I was just thinking the other day that if the Tigers want a stiff DH they should release Sheff and pick up Bonds at the league minimum.
Sheffield was pretty awful last year. Now that he can’t hit and grounds into a lot of double plays, the Blue Jays will sign him. He’ll fit right in.
I do hope someone inks him long enough for him to get #500. In fact, he would be cool if he hit just one more and was always the guy with EXACTLY 500 homers.
He has been hurt a lot. He always insists that he play outfield. He is terrible and gets hurt doing it. But he was thinking of himself and he wanted it that way. He showed flashes of big power last year but never stayed healthy enough to build on it. He does not come near earning his salary.
Obviously, I don’t REALLY know Gary SHeffield. MAYBE he’s a swell guy, and I’ve misjudged him.
But he always seemed like a jerk, and worse yet, a jerk who was ALLOWED to say whatever stupid, offensive things he wanted without anyone holding him accountable.
Ask a sportswriter about some offensive screed Sheffield just made, ask why the media never attacked him the way they did so many other guys who’d said far milder things, and they’d invariably say, “Oh… that’s just Sheff!”
That’s just Sheff???
Nobody excused John Rocker with “That’s just Rock,” and nobody shrugged “That’s just Marge” when Marge Schott shot her mouth off.
They did laugh off Carl Everett’s similarly sincere whackery, though. Maybe because he wasn’t as offensive about it?
Does it change the Tigers financial obligation to him if he signs a contract with another team?
I believe it doesn’t. The Tigers still owe him the money on the contract, even if another team signs him.
If a player is claimed on waivers, the new team pays him only the minimum (prorated if it’s midseason), and the old team picks up the rest.
I ask because the Tigers are in the most dire financial situation imaginable. They have a $130M payroll and just reduced season ticket prices from something like $27K to $15K. Their ticket revenue this year will probably be cut in half, at best, considering that fact and the economic climate in Detroit and Michigan this season. Even saving $400k from their obligation to Sheffield is probably motivation enough to get rid of a guy who’s contributions could be questionable.
Doesn’t really save anything as they will need a new player, at league minimum at least, to take the roster spot.
If a player is claimed on waivers than the new team picks up the entire salary. If a player goes through waivers unclaimed than the pro-rated minimum applies. Shefield was obviously unclaimed.
I’m sure this would be the case if they signed a free agent to replace him, but if they have a player under contract in their minor league system or on their spring training roster why would they need to necessarily pay someone else?
If you sign a first round draft pick to a multi mullion dollar contract and call him up to the Majors does he get an additional $400K? I don’t think so.
In a few rare scenarios draft picks sign major league contracts, but the vast majority of the time, including I believe all Tigers, draftees simply get a signing bonus. They still need to paid a salary, and for the majors, the minimum is 400K.
The Tigers traded for outfielder Josh Anderson. He is a speedy outfielder. Hr offers what Sheffield does not. He also can not hit with Garys power. Seems they are going for more defense this year.
Technically, he’s still on the “designated for assignment” list right now, but when the time is up (10 days, I think), *then *he’ll go on waivers.
Omniscient, the Tigers are stuck for the tab no matter what. This was a baseball decision, based partly on the front office finally realizing that Comerica is a pitchers’ park.
I saw that they traded for him, but what was the price tag?
Nevermind. Found it.
ESPN Fantasy Projection
2009 Season Outlook
Anderson has had consecutive strong seasons in Triple-A – one in the Astros chain – and it’s clear what his skill set is. The left-handed hitter hits for average and has stolen more than 40 bases in each of his past four seasons. He lost out to Jordan Schafer for the center-field job in Atlanta, but that could turn out for the best as he was acquired by the Tigers in a trade. Detroit definitely wants to capitalize on AndersonÂ’s speed and even cut Gary Sheffield so that they could put Anderson in the outfield so they can rest Carlos Guillen a bit by inserting him as the teamÂ’s DH. HeÂ’ll play whenever possible and will get the green light, so bid accordingly.
Complete Projections
Player News (last updated: March 30, 2009)
News: The Tigers acquired Anderson in exchange for pitcher Rudy Darrow on Monday, Mlive.com reports.
Spin: Anderson, who has the ability to play all three outfield spots, will add much-needed speed to the Tigers’ lineup. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Anderson will be on the 25-man roster, meaning Brett Clevlen, Ryan Raburn, Clete Thomas and Jeff Larish will not be with the team come Opening Day unless another move is made. For the Braves, this means in all likelihood that Jordan Schafer has won the starting center field job.
What problem do the Tigers have with Clete Thomas? He’s even left-handed.
I believe Granderson has the center field spot.
And Magglio has right field. They REALLY don’t want to overexpose Marcus Thames, do they?