Slugger Gary Sheffield hit 39 homers and drove in 132 runs for Atlanta in 2003. Click to enlarge photo
photo by Tim Evearitt (file photo)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves made another offer to Sheffield but the offer has been turned down.
Sheffield said he already had agreed verbally to a three-year, $39 million deal with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner before Atlanta called Saturday to increase its initial three-year, $30 million offer.
Atlanta's general manager John Schuerholz declined comment on the outfielder's statements that the Braves increased their offer too late.
Sheffield told USA Today Sports Weekly that if the Braves had made him the same three-year, $33 million offer during the season that they made to him on Saturday, he would have taken it.
Sheffield was paid $11 million last season while batting .330 with 39 home runs and 132 RBIs.
"I thought for all I did for [the Braves] on and off the field, I shouldn't have to take a pay cut," Sheffield told USA Today Sports Weekly.
Sheffield's adviser Rufus Williams said Wednesday the player planned to write a letter expressing his gratitude for Atlanta fans once his destination becomes official.
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Schuerholz also declined to say Wednesday whether the Braves might try to replace Sheffield with a comparable slugger or fortify with lesser-priced additions at several positions.
The Braves aren't believed to be serious suitors for Montreal free agent Vladimir Guerrero, who is eight years younger than the 35-year-old Sheffield. Guerrero missed part of last season with a herniated disc and may still command a multi-year contract worth more than Sheffield's.
It is still the case that the Yankees have yet to announce the signing of Sheffield although it has been widely reported for days that he and the Yankees had agreed to contract terms,
Why?
It's believed the Yankees are delaying an announcement to see if the Braves offer arbitration to Sheffield before Sunday's deadline.
If the Braves believe Sheffield has agreed to a deal with the Yankees, they would likely offer him arbitration, and the Yankees would have to give them a first-round draft pick as compensation for signing the right fielder.
The Braves probably wouldn't offer arbitration if they thought there was no deal in place with the Yankees, and thus a reasonable chance Sheffield would accept their arbitration offer, binding him to the Braves.
He could command a higher salary through arbitration, perhaps $15 million based on his production and previous salary. That's far more than the payroll-cutting Braves care to pay.
Sheffield already is making guarantees similar to those he made when he was traded to the Braves from Los Angeles two years ago, which ended in first-round playoff losses to San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs. Sheffield went 1-for-16 with one RBI and 2-for-14 with one RBI in those respective division series.
"I know I speak my mind, but I don't just talk the talk. I walk the walk," Sheffield said. "And if we don't win the World Series, everybody can come and see me first, because I'll take the blame."
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Manager Bobby Cox was hoping that Montreal's Javier Vasquez might join the Braves starting rotation.
Forget it!
Not only will the Yankees take Sheffield away from the Braves but Vasquez won't be pitching at Turner Field.
The New York Yankees agreed Thursday to acquire pitcher Vazquez from the Montreal Expos according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York will send Montreal first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-hander Randy Choate, a baseball official with knowledge of the trade said on condition of anonymity.
The deal is contingent on the players passing physicals.
Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, and is three years younger than Bartolo Colon, who is a free agent and would be an alternative.
Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 Major League teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $4,775,000 he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season.
Johnson is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter; Rivera isn't yet eligible.
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Adapted from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's website.