June 29, 200521 yr Wednesday, June 29, 2005 By Bob Klapisch STAFF WRITER 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. E-mail: klapisch@northjersey.com I feel this could actually bring them into the race. :confused
June 29, 200521 yr they are gonna get enc instead 830665[/snapback] They're still going after Kotsay so you never know.
June 29, 200521 yr Rumor has it the Yanks want Heilman and Diaz in addtion to Cameron and the Mets would take back Womack -- That will never happen.
June 29, 200521 yr Good deal for the Mets, but not for the Yankees. Unless they can get Victor Diaz involved somehow.
June 29, 200521 yr Rumor has it the Yanks want Heilman and Diaz in addtion to Cameron and the Mets would take back Womack -- That will never happen. 830739[/snapback] Reports I've heard all say Cameron & Cairo. I highly doubt anyone wants Heilman, including the Mets.
June 29, 200521 yr if sheff went to the mets that would suck. i hope he stays a yankee and none of this gets done.
June 29, 200521 yr Rumor has it the Yanks want Heilman and Diaz in addtion to Cameron and the Mets would take back Womack -- That will never happen. 830739[/snapback] Reports I've heard all say Cameron & Cairo. I highly doubt anyone wants Heilman, including the Mets. 830839[/snapback] Yeah, it's not like he's pitched better than Wright and Pavano this season or anything :mischief2 And who needs a consistent arm out of the pen ... especially one that can go 5+ innings if you need.
June 29, 200521 yr Rumor has it the Yanks want Heilman and Diaz in addtion to Cameron and the Mets would take back Womack -- That will never happen. 830739[/snapback] Reports I've heard all say Cameron & Cairo. I highly doubt anyone wants Heilman, including the Mets. 830839[/snapback] Yeah, it's not like he's pitched better than Wright and Pavano this season or anything :mischief2 And who needs a consistent arm out of the pen ... especially one that can go 5+ innings if you need. 830855[/snapback] I'll take Wright or Pavano any day of the week over Heilman. You can't honestly tell me you'd prefer Aaron friggin Heilman.
June 29, 200521 yr Rumor has it the Yanks want Heilman and Diaz in addtion to Cameron and the Mets would take back Womack -- That will never happen. 830739[/snapback] Reports I've heard all say Cameron & Cairo. I highly doubt anyone wants Heilman, including the Mets. 830839[/snapback] Yeah, it's not like he's pitched better than Wright and Pavano this season or anything :mischief2 And who needs a consistent arm out of the pen ... especially one that can go 5+ innings if you need. 830855[/snapback] I'll take Wright or Pavano any day of the week over Heilman. You can't honestly tell me you'd prefer Aaron friggin Heilman. 831012[/snapback] I'd take Heilman over Pavano or Wright and their ridiculous contracts any day.
June 29, 200521 yr see I dont get this deal at all. Trading one of the prime players to your cross town rivals? It just doesnt seem to make sense specially with the fight for media market there.
June 29, 200521 yr Why on earth would the Yanks trade one of their best players? and in return they get players that can't be compared to the ranking of Sheffield... totally rediculous, it better not happen
June 29, 200521 yr see I dont get this deal at all. Trading one of the prime players to your cross town rivals? It just doesnt seem to make sense specially with the fight for media market there. There's plenty of reasons why this is a dumb deal for the Yanks, but that's not one of them. The Mets aren't their blood hated cross town rivals - this isn't Chicago - the rivalry really isn't as big as people think it is. Where else would you send him? You ship him out not only of your division but of your league, you get your defense in return, and New Yorkers who like Sheff can still see him.
June 30, 200521 yr HELLO PEOPLE NEW YORK POST REMEMBER? THE ONE WHO MAKES EVERYTHING UP? YES THAT'S WHERE THIS CAME FROM. NOW LOCK THE DAMN THREAD.
June 30, 200521 yr Why on earth would the Yanks trade one of their best players? and in return they get players that can't be compared to the ranking of Sheffield... totally rediculous, it better not happen 831082[/snapback] The reason would be to get Cameron so he can play center since Bernie has become 60 years old since the end of last season.
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