David Wright made the call that convinced Gary Sheffield to sign in NewYork:
“When you have the face of the franchise making a call to you, that means a lot,” said Sheffield, who’s one home run shy of 500. “You never want to tell other people you’re going the other way, but when he made that call I made my decision.”
Sheffield said he was considering the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, where his good friend Rollins plays shortstop, and Baker’s up-and-coming Cincinnati Reds. The defending AL champion Tampa Bay Rays were also among the teams in the mix.
“I had the opportunity to exchange some text messages with him yesterday and he’s excited to be here, and I think these guys are very excited to have him,” Wright said Saturday. “From everything I hear, from the few encounters that I’ve had with him over the last few years, he has a presence about him, a swagger about him, and I think that kind of confidence will rub off on the clubhouse.”
James Kwasnik wonders if this might cause a rift “between Wright and those players who might be replaced by Sheffield or sent down to the minors to make way for him.”
“he has a presence about him, a swagger about him”..and that is one of the main reasons I am glad the Mets signed him. They lack the swagger ad firery attitude Sheffield brings.
I agree, Kerel. As to a rift, they are all entitled to their own feelings, but they might take note of what happened to Chad Curtis after he crossed Jeter. Wright is more entrenched, more loved by the fan base at this point in his career. Picking a fight with him is punching you ticket out of town for anyone pulling not named Carlos, Jose, or Johan. I like Church, I expect he steps up and surprises to the upside.
Also, the guy who Sheffield is directly replacing was released, so he’ll have a hard time causing a rift.