Sheffield Continues to Verbally Jab Team

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  Gary Sheffield continued to force the issue Saturday at Dodgertown, pushing the Dodgers to trade him to either the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets or Yankees.

Sheffield reaffirmed he will only waive his right to demand a trade after next season and agree to play under the terms of his current six-year, $61-million contract with one of those three teams.

The disgruntled left fielder jabbed management again, saying the Dodgers must accept less than equal value to make a deal, and addressed comments of Met players, who expressed concern that Sheffield’s presence might adversely affect their clubhouse climate.

Meanwhile, General Manager Kevin Malone, attending to personal matters in Los Angeles, continued to evaluate trade proposals from clubs pursuing Sheffield.

Despite Sheffield’s criticism of Chairman Bob Daly and the organization, some baseball sources contend that the Dodgers should not trade the six-time all-star because of his impact offensively.

Malone reiterated that Sheffield will be in the opening-day lineup unless the club gets what it wants, but Sheffield apparently believes he is holding the cards and the Dodgers will fold soon.

Just another day at Dodgertown, where the news is all Sheffield, all the time.

“They know how I feel,” said Sheffield, whose teammates have encouraged him to stop commenting about his situation. “They know what they have to do.”

The Dodgers have wondered what to do with Sheffield, who has vacillated between hoping to be a “lifetime Dodger,” and demanding to be traded.

“Gary’s requests, and the alternatives that we addressed to those requests, were clearly outlined in a letter drafted by Bob Daly for Gary and his agent,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president. “Both parties were in agreement with what was outlined, and there were no challenges to Bob’s letter.”

The Dodgers technically could move Sheffield to one of 19 teams under the terms of his no-trade clause, but Sheffield intimated it would be best for them to send him to one on his top-three list.

“I told them what I would do if they send me where I want to be,” he said. “I would do that because I know what those teams are about, I know what those organizations are about, and I know those would be good situations for Gary Sheffield.”

Malone said he would not make a move that hurts the Dodgers.

“We’re not going to be bamboozled or buffaloed,” said Malone, scheduled to return to Dodgertown today. “[The Braves, Mets and Yankees] are three clubs we have the option to trade him to, and he has agreed to waive his right to demand a trade, which would make him a lot more attractive to those three clubs.

“Hopefully, those three clubs would be interested enough to give us value in return. But we’re not going to do anything to hurt this team and this organization. We’re not going to give him away. That is the reality of it. There is no other situation unless we get equal value in return.”

However, Malone acknowledged for the first time that it would be “virtually impossible,” because of circumstances and timing, for the Dodgers to receive equal value for a player considered one of the majors’ top-five right-handed batters.

“I know I said equal, but in thinking about it and analyzing it, I’d say fair value would be a better way to put it,” Malone said. “Equal would be very difficult.”

Players traded during multiyear contracts can request another trade up to 15 days after the World Series, and clubs have until March to complete deals. If a trade is not made, the player becomes a free agent.

But Sheffield would forfeit $20.5 million in the final two years of his contract, which includes an $11-million option, and might not receive a better offer.

Of course, Sheffield could command the Alex Rodriguez-type deal he is believed to be seeking.

If traded, he could not become a free agent for five years, but would be eligible for arbitration.

So there are risks involved for Sheffield, 32, and the Dodgers hope he realizes that.

“I haven’t talked to Gary yet,” Malone said.

“I have to sit down with him when I get there [today].”

Sheffield said he would not speak with third baseman Robin Ventura and first baseman Todd Zeile of the Mets, who said Sheffield might stir clubhouse problems in the Big Apple.

“I don’t have to be [with the Mets], there are other situations for Gary Sheffield,” he said. “I’m sure [Yankee owner] George Steinbrenner and [Atlanta Manager] Bobby Cox would want me.”