Sheffield Gives Dodgers a Few More Trade Options

Gary Sheffield on Wednesday amended his no-trade list to help the Dodgers move him before opening day.

In an attempt to facilitate a deal and resolve his situation as soon as possible, Sheffield informed General Manager Kevin Malone that he would consider joining teams he had opposed previously.

The Cincinnati Reds have been removed from the list, enabling the Dodgers to trade Sheffield to 20 teams.

Sheffield can still block deals with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.

Moreover, Sheffield altered his position on his contract situation and right to demand a trade after next season, saying he might make concessions to join clubs other than the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and New York Yankees.

The six-time all-star had said he would only waive his right and play under the terms of his current deal if traded to the three clubs on his wish list, but Sheffield has agreed to “work with the Dodgers” in discussions involving the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

“I told [Malone] today I was willing to look at other situations,” said Sheffield, who declined to confirm the revised lists. “Right now, everybody always asks me, ‘Do you have to go to a winning team?’ Not necessarily. I just want to find the best situation for Gary Sheffield.

“If I’m in a good situation, I’ll help that team get better. Let’s be realistic. If they’re trying to trade me, and make it known that they’re trying to trade me, I have to be open-minded to that.”

Sheffield’s shift came a day after he said he would not rescind his trade request even if the Dodgers extend his contract, which followed his decision to remain with the club if Chairman Bob Daly “makes me a lifetime Dodger.”

But the Dodgers have not complained about the mercurial left fielder’s latest surprise because they are eager to trade him.

The Braves have offered outfielder Brian Jordan, and closer John Rocker could be included in a deal, baseball sources said. The Dodgers have concerns about the oft-injured Jordan, owed $26 million and coming off arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and Rocker, despite his talent, would be moved in a three-team deal.

Malone was not impressed with the Mets’ first official offer, sources said, and the Yankees, because of payroll concerns, are still on the sideline and seemingly only interested in dealing prospects.

Sources said Met General Manager Steve Phillips believes he can acquire Sheffield without trading center fielder Jay Payton, once believed to be the centerpiece of the club’s offer, because the Dodgers are in a corner.

“That just tells me I’m a bad player,” Sheffield joked. “I played with Jay Payton in Japan. Jay Payton’s going to be a great player. He’s a hard worker, he’s a hard-nosed player, but you would think, a guy like that, he’s not a guy that’s going to hit 40 home runs.

“I’m the type of guy that can hit 40 or 50 home runs. There’s a chemistry thing that you have to look at too. I know where they’re coming from with that standpoint, but I know once I put on a uniform that will be a question that’s answered in one day.”

Sheffield’s decision could boost the market.

“The more teams that are involved, the better options we should have,” Malone said. “I think with the increased interest, we’ll see increased and improved, and hopefully satisfactory, offers.”

However, Sheffield reiterated he would prefer to join the Braves, Mets or Yankees, saying he would want to speak with other teams before cooperating with a deal.

“I still made it clear that those are the teams on the wish list, but I’m open to listening,” he said.

Sheffield said the situation has been a burden. “I’m upbeat until I have to go on the field,” said Sheffield, hitless in seven exhibition at-bats. “It’s a struggle. I’m going to be honest about that. Not from the standpoint of ‘Yeah, I make $10 million,’ I should be up for the games, which I am, but from a mental standpoint.

“I have to get stronger mentally and focused. And that will come. . . . It’s just like going through getting a new contract. You’re a little tense at first, but after you get that first hit, it’s a downhill battle.”

Sheffield has hinted he might struggle if the club keeps him, but Malone hopes the situation can be salvaged.

“I don’t know to what extent damage has been done,” he said. “I know there are a lot of disappointed Dodger fans, but I always try not to sit in judgment. It’s going to be difficult [to get fair value] because everyone knows we’ve been painted into a corner. As time goes on, the offers will get better or. . . . I don’t want to trade Gary Sheffield, to be honest with you.”

Notes

Ramon Martinez struggled in a 4-2 loss to the Florida Marlins at Dodgertown. He gave up four hits, three runs and walked three in three innings. Andy Ashby, pounded in his first spring appearance against the New York Mets, gave up five hits and a run in three innings. Pitching coach Jim Colborn tinkered with Ashby’s delivery.