Sheffield Wants To Play

New York Mets slugger Gary Sheffield wants to return next year for his 22nd major league season. Wait did I say slugger? Can we still actually call him that? Not sure if I can but based on his 2009 productions I’d say he’ll be playing and producing again in 2010.

In 2009, Sheffield has hit .277 with 10 homers and 43 runs batted in, his on base percentage is still a pretty good .369 as well. All of that in just 97 games and a low 267 at bats.

The one thing that will hold him back for returning next year is health. He’s proven he can produce when healthy but also proven he’s now an injury prone old man. At his age, I’m sure he’d only want to play for a contender and only way a contender would look at him is if he proved he can stay healthy. I’m going to give Sheff credit as he knows that’s the case.

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“No. 1 is health — dedication and health,” Sheffield said. “You’re going to get out what you put in.”

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Kevin Kernan of the New York Post reports that Sheffield is going to work on his conditioning this off season, “He’s going to train with boxer Winky Wright and get down to about 210 pounds. His goal, he said, is to play 150 games. ”

I think if Sheffield can improve his conditioning and stay healthy, he could have a big 2010. He’s always been the guy that wants to prove others wrong. It’s why he always plays his best against former teams. Look at the New York Yankees, he’s hit 5 homers in 58 at bats against them since he was traded away. He knows he can produce and loves to stick it to the teams who said he couldn’t anymore.

If the Mets let him walk after this season, which is almost a certainty, he’ll have that much more incentive to come back at a high level.

Now that brings up another thing, what teams would be interested in his services?

Kernan lists the Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers as possibilities if he can’t return to New York. Notice a trend there?

Tampa Bay and Florida are turning into big rivals of the two New York teams. Both teams are also close to his Tampa home. Both teams need a legitimate slugger. Both can use some swagger and Sheffield could definitely bring that.

My money is on Sheffield being a major league outfielder again in 2010, where I’m not sure. But if he’s healthy count on him hitting at least 20 homers again.