Sheffield, Yankees Hit a Possible Snag

Two weeks after a deal between Gary Sheffield and the New York Yankees appeared done, it now is in jeopardy, the Hartford Courant is reporting in today’s edition.

According to several reports and baseball sources, Sheffield asked team owner George Steinbrenner for more money last weekend and now the contract is on hold.

After hitting .330 with 39 homers and 132 RBI for the Atlanta Braves, Sheffield, 35, set out as a free agent with all signs pointing to him joining the Yankees.

Two weeks ago, Sheffield was telling friends he had agreed to a deal with the Yankees and was working out at their complex. Yet his business manager continually denied a deal was struck.

The proposed deal with Sheffield called for $39 million guaranteed for three years. There was an option for a fourth year and enough of the money was to be deferred to reduce Sheffield’s annual salary, as it pertained to the luxury tax, to about $11 million.

Over the weekend, Sheffield reportedly asked the guaranteed money be raised to $42 million, with a much smaller portion of the money deferred, angering Steinbrenner.

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Eddie Guardado agreed to a contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Guardado gets a one-year contract that includes player and team options for 2005 and 2006. The deal calls for $13 million over three years and gives him a chance to earn $4 million more in bonuses if he is the team’s closer.

Guardado had 41 saves in 45 chances for Minnesota last season after getting 45 in his first year as a full-time closer in 2002.

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Former San Francisco closer Tim Worrell agreed to a $5.5-million, two-year deal with the Philadelphia.... Kansas City agreed to a $5-million, two-year deal with reliever Scott Sullivan and a $1-million, one-year deal with outfielder Matt Stairs.... Pitcher John Thomson agreed to a $7-million, two-year deal with Atlanta.... San Diego and right-hander Akinori Otsuka agreed to a two-year deal worth just under $2 million.... St. Louis agreed to one-year contracts with infielder Brent Butler and first baseman-outfielder Steve Cox.