Baseball - Sheffield To Reunite With Leyland

Gary Sheffield is all set to reunite with Jim Leyland. Sheffield, now 38, just needed one assurance from Leyland before agreeing to be traded from New York Yankees to Detroit Tigers.

Sheffield and Leyland are old friends. He played for Leyland when Florida Marlins won the 1997 World Series. Though Sheffield spent less than two seasons with Leyland, it was enough to start a friendship between them. Sheffield said that Leyland has asked him whether he wanted to join the Detroit Tigers. Sheffield agreed once Leyland informed him that he was going to continue as the Detroit’s manager. Sheffield has signed a two year contract extension which is worth $28 million. Just like Sheffield, Leyland is thrilled to reunite with him. It now gives the AL champions a power hitter with patience. This is something Detroit desperately needed. Sheffield has hit .290 in nine straight seasons and he averages 33 homers and 94 walks. The New York Yankees were recently defeated by Detroit Tigers in the AL division series which brought Sheffield’s and Yankees’ season to an end. By joining the Tigers, Sheffield would be happy to avoid facing Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya. Though Sheffield has regrets about leaving the New York Yankees. Sheffield is a nine time All Star and his autobiography Inside Power is scheduled for release in spring. The book discusses his time with New York Yankees, his relationship with Barry Bonds and his involvement with BALCO steroid scandal. Sheffield is expected to be Detroit's designated hitter, with spot duty in the outfield. However, his new teammates do not care whether he plays the field or not, as long as he gets a chance to hit.