CHICAGO - Yankees star Gary Sheffield and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing sexual videotapes of her and a musician, the slugger said Tuesday.
"I will not be blackmailed. I will not have my family dragged through the mud and filth," the Tampa native said in a statement read by his Chicago business agent, Rufus Williams.
The Yankees outfielder said his wife, DeLeon, "had a long-term relationship with a well-known professional singer over 10 years ago." Sheffield said he had known about the relationship, which came before the couple married.
Derrick Mosley, 38, a Chicago man who describes himself as a minister and has fashioned himself as a community activist, was charged Monday with operating a scheme to defraud for allegedly attempting to extort money from a professional athlete, who was not named.
"Expos' revamp infield
WASHINGTON - The Expos made their first big splash since announcing their move to Washington, agreeing to a $6.2-million, two-year contract with former Devil Rays third baseman Vinny Castilla and a $16.8-million, four-year deal with shortstop Cristian Guzman.
Castilla, 37, hit .271 with a .335 on-base percentage, 35 homers and an NL-leading 131 RBIs last season for Colorado, though he batted .321 at hitter-friendly Coors Field and .218 on the road.
Guzman, 26, a switch-hitter, batted .274 with a .309 on-base percentage for Minnesota last season with eight homers and 10 steals in 15 attempts.
PEDRO, STEINBRENNER MEET: Free-agent right-hander Pedro Martinez met with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at New York's spring training complex in Tampa.
"We had a good meeting," Steinbrenner said in a statement, without elaborating. The Red Sox reportedly made a recent two-year offer to the ace.
METS CLOSE IN ON SOSA: An obstacle to New York's acquisition of Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa basically has been eliminated, the New York Daily News reported. According to the paper, the union would not fight a request by Sosa's agents to have an $18-million triggered option in his contract dropped to clear the way for a trade.
Sosa's contract calls for the 2006 option to automatically become vested if he is dealt. The union would not be opposed to dropping it because the money is not a guaranteed part of his contract.
DODGERS: Former Rays right-hander Ryan Rupe signed a minor-league contract.
PHILLIES: Right-hander Cory Lidle returned to the team, agreeing to a $6.3-million, two-year contract. The former Ray was 5-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts after he was acquired from Cincinnati in August. He was 12-12 overall with a 4.90 ERA.
