Playing Time Disaster Brewing

by Sam Page on Apr 9, 2009 9:02 AM EDT

After completing a 20-minute session in the outfield with coach Razor Shines hitting him balls, Gary Sheffield suggested he's not ready to play the field in a game. Sheffield said he didn't even pick up a glove during spring training. And because he figured to only be a DH with the Tigers, he came to camp heavier, and now needs to shed weight.

At least he's honest. So Sheffield will be limited pinch-hitting duty when Manderson's gone, right? Uh:

The Mets aren't expected to oppose a left-handed starting pitcher in their first two series. Nonetheless, Gary Sheffield may be in the batting order Sunday when the Mets play the final game of their three-game series against the Marlins.

-snip-

Manuel doesn't appear to be rushing Sheffield, but he does appear to be intent on not using Ryan Church as often as Church was expected to play before the Mets signed Sheffield. Manuel even used the phrasing "committed to playing him in right" when he discussed Sheffield on Wednesday.

-snip-

He said he was more winded from the batting drill than from the outfield running. Sheffield says he still doesn't anticipate playing as often as Manuel seems to indicate he will.

Whether Sheffield can still hit, remains to be seen, but it's hard to imagine he'll hit better than Church in any amount of playing time this year. Actually starting him in the field over Church is a terrible idea. Let me reiterate: he was 27 runs below average the last time he played the field, 4 years ago. Since then he "didn't even pick up a glove during spring training" and gained weight. The guy even discounted himself from being able to field. Surely this is a one game deal, used to ease Sheffield back into things.

Later, Minaya said he didn't expect Sheffield "to play more than 100-120 games." Those words were quite surprising to Church.

Fantastic.

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Manuel also said

Reyes would bat third, Castillo would bat leadoff, starters would be limited to 100 pitches their first go around, etcetera. It’s comparable to getting worked up over the Omar/Ibanez love interest; all fart, no shit.

by Sokojoe on Apr 9, 2009 9:25 AM EDT reply actions

Never doubt the Mets' ability to start total garbage at the corners.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Apr 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Be fair, we haven't been that bad

Batting Joe Orsulak third in 94 with his 70 OPS+
Karim Garcia in 04 put up a tasty 72 OPS+
McRae batting .221 with a 71 OPS+ in 99
Oh yeah, we have been that bad. If one good thing will come from our history of terrible OFs, it’s that once we finally get a great hitting, great defending OF, he’ll be fully appreciated by the fanbase.

by Sokojoe on Apr 9, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

On an unrelated note, Carlos Beltran is awful.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Apr 9, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

WHO IS

KARIM GARCIA!?

by deadspy3 on Apr 9, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

The homeless man's Shane Spencer?

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Apr 9, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

@#$% the heck?

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Apr 9, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

What?

This truly makes no sense. Why sign Sheffield if he hasn’t even worked out with his glove. They obviously knew this.

Also, why even threaten Church like this. He is a great defender and yes he is streaky at the plate but we have enough in our lineup to cover when he’s ‘off’

by metsman07 on Apr 9, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions