Sheffield Makes Threats if He’s Not Traded Soon

Disgruntled left fielder Gary Sheffield said Thursday he has given the Dodgers a deadline to trade him to either the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets or New York Yankees.

The six-time all-star, who Wednesday informed friends of his latest move to force the Dodgers’ hand, said General Manager Kevin Malone is aware of his mandate to be traded no later than Tuesday.

If the Dodgers do not comply, Sheffield said he would offer more details about the matter that has cast a shadow over spring training at Dodgertown. He intimated the information would be embarrassing to team officials.

“I’m going to give them some time, but I’m not going to keep waiting,” said Sheffield, who might play in only one exhibition game, Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, before being traded.

“Like I said, I wanted to be a lifetime Dodger, and I still want to be a lifetime Dodger, but that’s not up to me. If they [team officials] want to make me a lifetime Dodger, then we can move forward. If not, I’m not going to be here.”

Malone and Chairman Bob Daly declined interview requests, and John Olguin, public relations director, reiterated that the club would not comment.

But baseball sources reaffirmed that the Dodgers are determined to trade Sheffield because they realize he could become an even bigger disruptive force.

“They think things are bad, but I’m not the one who started this, they did,” said Sheffield, believed to be seeking a four-year, $80-million extension. “And it can always get worse.”

Met General Manager Steve Phillips has been aggressively pursuing Sheffield, sources said, and it appears the clubs are moving closer to a deal that would bring center fielder Jay Payton and prospects to the Dodgers.

The Dodgers hope that the Braves and Yankees remain in the process to boost Sheffield’s value, but the Mets are leading the race.

The Yankees are interested only in trading prospects, and the Braves consider the Dodgers’ asking price too high.

Sheffield is pushing to be traded because he claims Daly botched his request to become a “lifetime Dodger,” and then “set out to bury” him nationwide.

He said he expects the Dodgers to meet his deadline, and to join one of the clubs on his wish list, because Daly and Malone realize he has the most value to the Braves, Mets and Yankees.

Sheffield will only waive his right to demand a trade after next season and agree to play under the terms of his current six-year, $61-million contract with one of those three teams.

“I’m willing to listen and have an open mind if they are, and we can sit down if they want to [give him an extension],” Sheffield said. “If they don’t, we don’t have anything left to talk about.”

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Several players, including pitcher Chan Ho Park, told Malone he should not include catcher Chad Kreuter in a Sheffield deal.

The Braves declined the Dodgers’ request for either third baseman Chipper Jones, center fielder Andruw Jones or catcher Javy Lopez, sources said, but the Dodgers hope they would trade Lopez to prevent their National League East division rivals from acquiring Sheffield.

If that occurred, the Braves might be interested in obtaining Kreuter with Sheffield.

Lopez is a right-handed batter and run producer, which the Dodgers want, but Kreuter is considered better defensively.

Kreuter played a key role in the pitching staff’s success last season, having helped the Dodgers finish second in the majors with a 4.10 earned-run average. Park had a breakthrough season working primarily with the 11-year veteran.

The Dodgers gave Kreuter, 36, a two-year, $2.3-million contract plus an option in the off-season, but declined his no-trade clause request.

Lopez will make $7.75 million in the final year of his contract.

Park can become a free agent after the season, and he would be upset if Kreuter is traded.

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First baseman Eric Karros, sidelined because of a sore back, took batting practice for the first time. “I feel great,” Karros said. “Put that in the paper.”