Tweet
The Yankees' search for a younger, quicker outfield led them to a tentative deal with the Mets that would've sent Gary Sheffield to Shea in exchange for Mike Cameron and Miguel Cairo, according to a major league executive who'd been briefed on the talks.
It was the Yankees who initiated discussion during this past weekend's Subway Series, according to the source. Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Mets convinced GM Brian Cashman that Bernie Williams' rapid decline and the absence of a bona fide replacement would cost the Yankees any chance of getting to the postseason.
The Mets are believed to be seriously interested in Sheffield, and are now waiting for the Yankees to make a formal offer. Mets officials were so convinced of the Yankees' desperation that, had the Bombers not rallied against Braden Looper in the ninth inning Sunday night, thus averting a sweep, Cashman might've pushed to make a deal as early as Monday.
The Yankees' back-to-back wins Sunday and Monday diminished that urgency, but as the club's hierarchy was locked down in a five-hour meeting in Tampa on Tuesday, Cameron's name is believed to be still high on the Bombers' wish list.
"[The Mets] still think the Yankees will come after Cameron," said the source. "He's exactly what they need."
The Mets likewise think of Sheffield as rocket fuel for their sluggish offense; they're eighth in the National League in runs and 14th in batting average. Combining with Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd, Sheffield would give the Mets arguably the most potent middle of the order in the NL East, just as they're beginning a critical 10-game stretch against the Phillies, Marlins and Nationals.
The Yankees are mulling at least one other option - the A's Mark Kotsay - although it remains to be seen whether Oakland will be a buyer or seller in the next five weeks.
Cameron, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is a better hitter than Kotsay, and would be highly motivated to excel, considering he's out of position in right field and looking for a chance to reclaim his title as one of the game's best center fielders.
One mitigating factor, however, is money: Sheffield is in the second year of a three-year, $39 million contract, and costs far more than Cameron, who's earning $6 million this year. Even shedding Cairo, the deal would still cost the Mets nearly $6 million in added payroll, so it's likely they'd ask the Yankees for financial relief.
It was the Yankees who initiated discussion during this past weekend's Subway Series, according to the source. Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Mets convinced GM Brian Cashman that Bernie Williams' rapid decline and the absence of a bona fide replacement would cost the Yankees any chance of getting to the postseason.
The Mets are believed to be seriously interested in Sheffield, and are now waiting for the Yankees to make a formal offer. Mets officials were so convinced of the Yankees' desperation that, had the Bombers not rallied against Braden Looper in the ninth inning Sunday night, thus averting a sweep, Cashman might've pushed to make a deal as early as Monday.
The Yankees' back-to-back wins Sunday and Monday diminished that urgency, but as the club's hierarchy was locked down in a five-hour meeting in Tampa on Tuesday, Cameron's name is believed to be still high on the Bombers' wish list.
"[The Mets] still think the Yankees will come after Cameron," said the source. "He's exactly what they need."
The Mets likewise think of Sheffield as rocket fuel for their sluggish offense; they're eighth in the National League in runs and 14th in batting average. Combining with Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd, Sheffield would give the Mets arguably the most potent middle of the order in the NL East, just as they're beginning a critical 10-game stretch against the Phillies, Marlins and Nationals.
The Yankees are mulling at least one other option - the A's Mark Kotsay - although it remains to be seen whether Oakland will be a buyer or seller in the next five weeks.
Cameron, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is a better hitter than Kotsay, and would be highly motivated to excel, considering he's out of position in right field and looking for a chance to reclaim his title as one of the game's best center fielders.
One mitigating factor, however, is money: Sheffield is in the second year of a three-year, $39 million contract, and costs far more than Cameron, who's earning $6 million this year. Even shedding Cairo, the deal would still cost the Mets nearly $6 million in added payroll, so it's likely they'd ask the Yankees for financial relief.
Comment