Mets Get Sheffield; Church to Sit??

40-year Old All Star Will Play Right Field

NEW YORK -- Taking a calculated gamble in an effort to acquire the powerful right-handed bat they have been desiring, the Mets agreed to a contract with Gary Sheffield on Friday. Sheffield will report to Citi Field on Saturday morning.

"I do think that's an addition when you can add that type of historic bat," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "That's a tremendous acquisition for a dominant left-handed-hitting team, which is what you are."

Both Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya said that they envisioned Sheffield playing every day, and spending the bulk of his time -- if not all of it -- in right field. Since signing with the Tigers before the 2007 season, Sheffield has almost exclusively served as a designated hitter.

The acquisition could potentially push current starting right fielder RYAN CHURCH into a bench or platoon role.

"He's a great player," Church said before learning that Sheffield's deal was official. "It'd just be another piece for this team." [Editor's note: Church batted .276 with 49 RBI in 2008, a season cut nearly in half by injuries. He is batting .368 so far in spring training]

Sheffield, 40, hit .225 with 19 home runs last year with Detroit, which -- citing flexibility issues due to his role as a DH -- released him earlier this week. To do so, the Tigers ate the remaining $14 million of Sheffield's contract, an action that did not deter the Mets from pursuing him.

"From the years of Dwight Gooden, he's always wanted to play for the Mets," Minaya said. "He's happy that he's with us."

--By Anthony DiComo, MLB.com