Sheffield Ready to Go Quietly

Gary Sheffield said Saturday night his bags are packed and he’s eager to move on as soon as the Dodgers tell him to leave.

But the all-star outfielder was in limbo while the Dodgers and Oakland Athletics continued negotiations on a proposed trade that would send him and pitchers Luke Prokopec and Mike Trombley to Oakland for former Gold Glove outfielder Jermaine Dye and closer Billy Koch.

Dodger General Manager Dan Evans resumed talks with Billy Beane of Oakland after arriving in Boston for the baseball winter meetings that begin Monday, and baseball sources said a deal is expected to be announced soon.

Sheffield hopes very soon.

“I’m still not really paying any attention to it because I know it’s going to happen when they [the Dodgers] want it to,” he said. “I just want them to do it and tell me so I can go there [to Oakland] and get ready to play.

“[Agent] Scott [Boras] is handling all that stuff for me so I can just focus on baseball, and I’m not worried about it because I know what I can do no matter where I’m playing. I don’t ever worry about being the type of player who can help any team.

“I know what type of player I am, and people around this game know what I can do. I’d be fine going and playing in Montreal if that’s where I had to play. It doesn’t matter to me because I’m always going to play this game hard.”

In his last three seasons, Sheffield has batted at least .300 with 30 home runs, 100 runs batted in and a .400 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage.

Sheffield had another outstanding season in 2001, batting .311 with 36 homers and 100 RBIs despite a severely sprained left index finger. The six-time all-star said his finger has healed well after off-season surgery.

Of Sheffield’s homers last season, 24 either tied the score or put the Dodgers ahead. Three provided the difference in 1-0 victories.

“Gary has had a number of good years in Los Angeles and other teams are going to want you when you perform,” Boras said. “That’s the double-edged sword players of Gary’s caliber have to deal with, but this is something that is totally out of our control. Gary understands that.”

The Athletics believe Sheffield could help shift the balance of power in the American League.

Although many, including Sheffield, believe a deal between the Dodgers and Oakland is imminent, anything could happen until it’s finalized. That could be a problem for the Dodgers, considering Sheffield has reacted angrily throughout his career when his name has merely been mentioned in trade speculation.

Now, the Dodgers appear determined to push Sheffield out the door after three of the most productive seasons in franchise history. That could seemingly provide the 13-year veteran with an excuse to blast them as he did while trying to force a trade in spring training.

Sheffield said that’s not going to happen.

“That stuff was in the past; I’m not saying anything,” he said. “I just want to focus on getting ready to have a great year. When I hired Scott, I told them [the Dodgers] that he was going to handle [off-field situations] for me and nothing has changed. I’m not getting involved with anything except playing the game.”

Sheffield recently informed the Dodgers he accepted his contract situation and wanted to remain in Los Angeles, but team officials fear he might change his mind.

“Business decisions are made in this game all the time and you have to accept that,” Boras said. “That’s just part of baseball.”

Sheffield said his finger hampered his performance last season, but it’s fine now. He has maintained an intense off-season workout program while vacationing in London and Italy with his wife, DeLeon. He says he is in the best shape of his career at 33 and plans to play until he’s 40.

If Oakland does get Sheffield, it would be getting a highly motivated player.

“Barry [Bonds] got me thinking about setting goals in this game that I never even thought about before,” Sheffield said of his longtime friend. “He showed me what you can do if you take care of yourself the right way, and that’s what I’ve been doing.

“I still want to accomplish a lot and that’s why I’m working hard now.”