Sheffield counts the Rays in

The pending free agent says he'd "give strong consideration" if Tampa Bay makes a fair offer.

ATLANTA - The Devil Rays' quest for a big-time power hitter could end with a Gary Sheffield home run.

The Tampa native said Monday if the Rays want to talk - seriously - about bringing him home to fill the hole in the middle of their lineup, he'd be more than willing to consider the move.

"It's a strong possibility," Sheffield told the Times on Monday. "I've talked about it with my wife and family and it's something we'd give strong consideration. Everyone always knows my No. 1 priority is playing close to home."

Sheffield, 34, is having a tremendous season for Atlanta - MVP-worthy according to Braves manager Bobby Cox - hitting .330 with 39 home runs and a career-high 132 RBIs and hoping to be playing deep into October.

But he is a free agent at the end of the season, the Braves have yet to indicate if they plan to bring him back and he is aware of and intrigued by talk that the Rays are looking to spend some money in an effort to become a winner.

"I've got my World Series ring," Sheffield said. "When I do my thing, it's all about winning. I'm willing to listen to what their plans are for winning."

The Rays can't say anything now due to tampering rules, but it would appear Sheffield is their No. 1 target. The key issues will be whether they can afford him and assure him they'll make other improvements.

If the Braves let Sheffield go into the free-agent market, he will be one of the biggest names available, likely to command an annual salary of at least $8-million to $10-million over two or three years, probably more if the Yankees, as rumored, show interest.

That could be too high a price for the Rays, who are expecting to have an additional $10-million to $15-million to spend and are looking for a few good men.

Sheffield said there would be no so-called "hometown discount," but he would consider structuring a deal in a way, such as deferring salary, that the Rays could have money to spend on other acquisitions.

"Coming home has a value, but I want to be paid what I'm worth," Sheffield said. "If the Devil Rays are serious about winning, have them compete."

Sheffield has been giving the idea of coming home serious thought. Flying back from Philadelphia Sunday afternoon, he discussed the possibility with teammate Roberto Hernandez, a former Ray.

"He said he wouldn't mind going home," Hernandez said. "If we win this World Series, he'll have two rings; who wouldn't want to go play at home?"

Hernandez, critical of the organization from managing general partner Vince Naimoli down since being traded in January 2001 for financial reasons, said he thinks the issue will be the Rays' financial ability.

"They're going to have to open the vault," Hernandez said. "Mr. Naimoli's going to have to start clipping his coupons to make the payments."

Sheffield would give the Rays exactly what they want: a proven, legitimate power threat in the middle of their order. The Braves can tell them what he has done for their lineup.

"I've been with a few MVPs, Chipper Jones and Terry Pendleton, and this guy is really special," Cox said. "He's a special hitter, special player, special person. He's just a great kid that wants to play the game. He's very serious about winning ballgames. I think he's had an MVP year."

With a month until the free-agent filing period starts, there is going to be plenty of speculation. Sheffield, who fired agent Scott Boras and plans to represent himself in negotiations, is not opposed to sticking with the Braves, either.

At one point in a 10-minute conversation he said, "I want to stay here." In another it was clear he is irked by the Braves' position, one restated Monday by general manager John Schuerholz, to not address the issue until after the season.

"I'm open to anything," Sheffield said. "I'm not going to sit here and say I'm obligated to one place. If you say that, then the one side has all the power."

Sheffield, who made $11.4-million this season, has enjoyed playing with the Braves, the most successful of the five teams he has been with. But he made it sound like living year-round in his million-dollar home on Tampa's Harbour Island and being near the family and friends he grew up with would work out pretty well.

"It would be," Sheffield said, "an easy transaction."