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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Phillies one of three teams interested in Sheff; Drabek out after 2 1/3

Jim Leyland told Detroit reporters this morning that Gary Sheffield, the veteran slugger released yesterday by the Tigers, has received serious interest from three major league teams, one of them presumably being the Phillies.

Phillies officials were unsure yesterday about their chances of whether the righthander would wind up fitting and landing with the club. But for the moment, the possibility remains alive.

Agent Rufus Williams characterized a conversation he had with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. yesterday as "productive" and said that Sheffield had not dismissed the idea of filling a role similar to the one the Phillies are searching for -- a right-handed bat with some power to pinch-hit and fill in occasionally in the field. At this point in time, though, it appears the Phillies are in wait-and-see mode.

Sheffield will not be able to sign with any team until he clears waivers tomorrow.

^

Also, the Phillies have acquired minor league righthander Manny Ayala from the Padres for a player to be named later. Ayala, 24, went 6-4 with a 5.23 ERA for Double A San Antonio last season and 1-0 wtih a 2.25 ERA in two appearances at Triple A Portland.

He came up through the Padres organization as a starter.

^

Kyle Drabek is out of the game here in Tampa and J.A. Happ is in for his first official relief appearance of the spring (he had started clean innings behind Jamie Moyer while getting his work in early on).

Drabek faced Derek Jeter in his first at-bat (Jeter will start the season leading off for the Yankees) and got him to ground out weakly to the mound. But he was hurt by a fielding error on Shane Victorino that led to an unearned run. Drabek then allowed four earned runs in the third, two of them on a home run by Mark Teixeira. Nevertheless, it was an important outing for the former first rounder, who battled back from Tommy John surgery last year and pitched well at the end of the minor league season, as well as in winter ball in Hawaii.

Posted by David Murphy @ 1:52 PM  Permalink | 44 comments
44
Comments   
Posted 02:11 PM, 04/01/2009
sck1980
Hey Dave is Jenkins going to make the ring ceremony on Wed?
Posted 02:18 PM, 04/01/2009
BudSelig_isthenext_MrBurns
from the front page of philly.com it looked like you changed your picture, murphy. alas, it is not so. it's still the same "i am so ashamed of you, how could you do that to your mother" picture. dammit.
Posted 02:24 PM, 04/01/2009
jeff gross
word is the Phils invited Jenkins to come back for the ceremony
Posted 02:25 PM, 04/01/2009
Philth
i think the picture is more of a "will we be having dessert, or should shall i slip into something a bit more comfortable?"
Posted 02:25 PM, 04/01/2009
PuPuMan
He is one of the biggest A-holes to ever play the game and a locker room cancer. Not sure he would fit in here, especially since he probably wouldn't even get 100 at bats.
Posted 02:38 PM, 04/01/2009
joey bagadonuts
This talk about Shefield is just filler. He isn't going to sign with the Phillies because he isn't going to start for the Phillies. He belongs in the AL. Next topic?
Posted 02:42 PM, 04/01/2009
tommy2t3
Amaro has been making "all the right moves" since taking over as GM. To even think about bringing Sheffield to the Phillies would wipe out all the positives thus far. PLEASE tell me this is an APRIL FOOLS joke.
Posted 02:43 PM, 04/01/2009
JosepherKelly
I love how everybody ASSUMES he's "cancer" in the clubhouse just because he's outspoken. EVERYBODY praises this guy as a great teammate and a great club house guy. Do you really think Ruben would be that dumb to risk messing up the club house atmosphere just for a right handed bat off the bench?!
Posted 02:58 PM, 04/01/2009
Phillyexp
NO to Sheffield. Another old Roid-er-roni. Who cares about him. Phils are set and in the driver's seat.
Posted 03:01 PM, 04/01/2009
93phils
Yeah people assume Sheffield is contagious with something and will infect the team as soon as he gets there. Calm down. There are no power right handed bats off the bench. What is Werth needs a day off and a LHP is on the mound. You would rather have Bruntlett out there? Come on
Posted 03:03 PM, 04/01/2009
DR Heller
Agreed JoeKell: No one can tell me Sheffield couldn't help the team. And you know none of the players would allow him to be a disruption in the clubhouse. They would sick Charlie on him and he would be off the team faster than you can say Steriods.
Posted 03:05 PM, 04/01/2009
barcelona fan
I think the picture is "I am a moron and I don't yet know it," but the Sheffield thing is even more disturbing, no?
Posted 03:12 PM, 04/01/2009
MTust24
Sheffield wont be a cancer if he finds out he can either play a part time role with the phillies or not play at all. If he is a pain after a white just cut him he wont be worth too much anyway. I'd take the risk. No one is breaking our team chemistry up after last year. Also, if someone has a DH go down were in position to trade him mid season or something. Theres no reason not to make a play for him, especially since we cut Jenks. Imagine being able to bring in either Stairs or Sheffield in the bottom innings with guys on!
Posted 03:33 PM, 04/01/2009
WC-Jonesy
i'd like to see sheffield a phil. he'd probably be excited to play for the champs too and be a part of trying to repeat. and, agreed, if he becomes a problem you trade him or cut him...
Posted 03:40 PM, 04/01/2009
Dan U-A
Blue steel.
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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