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Around MLB

By TIMES WIRES

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2001

VERO BEACH -- Gary Sheffield is demanding a new contract or a new team, the latest crisis in a string of trouble for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The six-time All-Star said he wanted a trade to the Yankees, Mets or Braves. Already, Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone has tried to deal the slugging outfielder.

"I just had a meeting with my staff, and we're all in a state of shock," team chairman Bob Daly said Sunday night. "I don't understand it, and I don't know what to say."

Because the Dodgers won't extend Sheffield's contract, which has three years and $31.5-million remaining, Malone has been working since the weekend to trade Sheffield. Malone hopes to receive equal value for the only Dodger to bat .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs and 100 walks in consecutive seasons.

"It's a difficult task, to say the least, but that's what we're faced with," Malone said of trading Sheffield, who batted .325 with 43 homers, 109 RBI, 105 runs and 101 walks last season.

"We have to examine all of our options and do what's best for the Los Angeles Dodgers."

Malone offered Sheffield to the Mets for Mike Piazza or Edgardo Alfonzo, which general manager Steve Phillips quickly rejected.

"I can't fathom a deal where I would trade either of those two guys," Phillips said. "Nobody is untouchable, but they are as close to untouchable as you can get."

The Yankees didn't rule out a trade. "I don't know if we can afford it with what we have right now," owner George Steinbrenner said. "He's a good guy, but he has a big contract."

With the Yankees, Sheffield would be teammates with his uncle, pitcher Dwight Gooden, who said Sheffield has talked about playing in New York since he was a kid.

"Obviously for me, I'd like to see him here," Gooden said. "But the Mets, that would be an ideal fit for him as well. Put him in the middle of the lineup with Piazza; two hitters like that, you'd have to throw to one of them."

WILLIAMS TRANSFERRED: Hall of Famer Ted Williams flew from New York to a rehabilitation hospital in San Diego to continue his recovery from open-heart surgery. Williams, 82, was born and raised in San Diego. The Citrus County resident has been at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center since having surgery Jan. 16.

RULES EDUCATION: The Rockies, Diamondbacks and White Sox, who hold spring training in Tucson, Ariz., met with baseball officials to discuss the new strike zone and the beanball crackdown. Sandy Alderson, an executive vice president in the commissioner's office, joined umpires at the informational meeting. "I'm really anxious to see exactly how they are going to implement both of those rules," Rockies manager Buddy Bell said.

ARBITRATION ROUNDUP: Andruw Jones tried for a salary arbitration record, asking a panel to award him $8.2-million for this season instead of the Braves' $6.4-million offer. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera got a record $7.25-million last season when he lost his hearing. Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood, the 1998 National League Rookie of the Year, avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.94-million, one-year contract.

MARLINS: Owner John Henry said he faces "a disaster financially" because of delays in building a ballpark in downtown Miami. Still, he remains confident the project will win approval from the city and the Florida Legislature. "I think it will get done," he said. "I think everyone realizes this is the last shot." Henry hoped for a decision last week on the site, but a city commission vote was tabled until March 15 for more studies.

ORIOLES: Outfielder Albert Belle faces an important physical today. If his arthritic right hip is deemed acceptable by team physicians, he will join position players in the first full-team practice of the spring. If he fails the physical, the 34-year-old could be through, though according to baseball's collective bargaining agreement, he would be entitled to a second opinion by a non-team doctor. "I feel like right now I can play. How many games, I couldn't tell you," Belle said. "It'll just be day by day. But I'm pretty much on course." ... The team has formed an association with the Grosseto Baseball Club of the Italian League, which hopes to improve its amateur program through the alliance.

PADRES: Manager Bruce Bochy says he is toying with the idea of batting Tony Gwynn fifth. "I'd hate to move him out of the two or three hole. He's had so much success there," Bochy said. "But he's a good RBI man."

PIRATES: Manager Lloyd McClendon invited several members of the division championship teams of the early '90s to spring training as part-time instructors. Mike LaValliere, a Pittsburgh catcher from 1987-93, arrived Sunday to tutor catchers for a week. McClendon also invited Andy Van Slyke and Doug Drabek, but Drabek cannot attend. Van Slyke is expected to visit camp in mid March.

REDS: Right-handers Elmer Dessens, Seth Etherton and Leo Estrella have muscular weakness in their shoulders and upper backs, and have been told not to throw for at least a week.

WHITE SOX: Chicago is awaiting newly acquired left-hander David Wells. Wells was excused for personal business when pitchers and catchers reported Friday. He was scheduled to arrive today, but agent Gregg Clifton told team officials his client will be delayed until Thursday.

CANADA HALL: Catcher Gary Carter and second baseman Dave McKay are the newest members of Canada's Baseball Hall of Fame. Carter spent 11 of his 19 seasons in the majors with the Expos. McKay was the only Canadian on the field in the Blue Jays' first game, in 1977.

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