Yankees trade Sheffield to Tigers

Gary Sheffield left New York with what he wanted: a $28-million contract extension through 2009 and a promise that he wouldn’t be playing first base.

Sheffield was traded from the Yankees to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for three pitching prospects in the first major trade of the off-season, a deal that reunites him with Tigers Manager Jim Leyland and team President Dave Dombrowski.

“I was ecstatic because I get reunited with the people that I’ve always loved,” Sheffield said. “They’re business-minded. They’re smart people. They’re respectful people. They treat you like men. That’s what you want to be around. To reunite with them after 10 years is a blessing.”

The Yankees get right-handers Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett.

In 1997, Sheffield helped win a World Series title for the Florida Marlins, managed by Leyland under Dombrowski, who was the team’s general manager.

Detroit and New York reached a tentative agreement on the deal Tuesday night, and the Tigers had a three-day window to agree to a contract extension. Sheffield and the Tigers agreed Thursday to the new contract, which includes some deferred money, and he took a physical Friday.

Sheffield, who turns 38 on Nov. 18, has 455 homers in 19 seasons. He topped 34 homers and 120 runs batted in in each of his first two seasons with the Yankees but sat out most of 2006 because of a wrist injury.

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The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $19-million, two-year contract with center fielder Jim Edmonds, their first major move since winning the World Series.

Edmonds, 36, had filed provisionally for free agency on Nov. 2, awaiting a decision by the team on its $10-million option, which carried a $3-million buyout.

St. Louis had until today to exercise its option. Instead, the sides agreed to a new deal that calls for an $11-million salary next year and $8 million in 2008.

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Reliever Keith Foulke, who closed out the first World Series championship for the Boston Red Sox in 86 years in 2004, declined a $5.25-million option and filed for free agency.

Foulke, who gets a $1.5-million buyout, was bothered by knee and arm injuries the next two seasons, and replaced as closer by rookie Jonathan Papelbon last year.

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Second baseman Craig Biggio and the Houston Astros agreed to terms on a $5.15-million, one-year contract that will keep him with the club for a 20th season.

Biggio, who turns 41 in December, needs only 70 hits to become the first Astro and 27th player in history to reach 3,000 hits.

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As expected, New York Mets pitcher Tom Glavine declined his $7.5-million option, and the club is expected to turn down its $14-million option before the Nov. 20 deadline.

Glavine, who filed provisionally for free agency Thursday, will get a $3-million buyout if the Mets decline their option.

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Kirk Gibson joined the Arizona Diamondbacks, agreeing to a two-year contract to become the bench coach. He replaces Jay Bell, who stepped down after last season.... Robin Yount announced that he will not return as bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers, saying he wanted to devote more time to his family in Scottsdale, Ariz.