Gary Sheffield still remains a highly classified object on the Phillies radar after the Detroit Tigers released the former DH on Tuesday morning. Since Tuesday a few teams have expressed great interest in the “righty”, including the Cincinnati Reds, an “unknown” team, and of course the Phillies.
If the Phillies want to land Sheffield they will have to guarantee him playing time as requested, which may be hard for the club to commit to at this time. According to MLB.com, Sheffield will make $14 million this season, but if Sheffield signs with the Phillies, they only would have to pay him the league minimum $400,000.
With Raul Ibanez in left, Shane Victorino in center, and Jayson Werth in right; the three musketeers will be at it again this season, making it almost impossible for Sheffield to see the field on a regular basis. Patrick Gallen of the Philadelphia Examiner also feels that the chances of seeing Sheffield in a Phillies “uni” are very slim.
Also on Tuesday, the Phillies released Geoff Jenkins. Jenkins told reporters:
“What’s there to be mad about? I picked a great year to be here. I wish it worked out better and I could be with them, but I don’t regret one minute. I wouldn’t change a thing being with these guys going through what we went through last year.”
Jenkins’ only post season hit came in the bottom of the 6th inning in Game 5 of the World Series. His leadoff double set the tone for the finale of the World Series as the Phillies were crowned World Champions and Jenkins earned his first ring of his 10 year career. Jenkins was a play maker, especially with his bat and will be missed by the “cheesesteak” crowd for years to come.
What proved to be a very busy Tuesday for the Phillies, just didn’t seem to quit. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. also announced that Chan Ho Park beat out J.A. Happ for the fifth starter’s job. Patrick Gallen also reported from Phillies Spring Training on Chan Ho Park:
“His stuff is on point with a blazing fastball and beautiful off-speed pitches thrown in. The Phillies just hope he can last a whole year, after last seasons debacle with Kyle Kendrick and Adam Eaton. If not, Happ waits in the wings.”
“Happ was upset about it, but it was a fair competition.”
Patrick Gallen is the Philadelphia Phillies Examiner for examiner.com. He also hosts his own internet radio show, “Basketball Roundup” on the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. The show airs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-12pm est.
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