|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Under new management Apologetic Sheffield fires agent, hires 'full-service' Boras
Updated: Tuesday March 13, 2001 4:22 AM
VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The Gary Sheffield saga took yet another dramatic turn Monday when the All-Star outfielder fired his agent and signed with Scott Boras, who represents several of his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates. Later, Sheffield apologized to Dodgers chairman Bob Daly and Los Angeles fans for his actions. Boras' hiring was a reconciliatory gesture on the part of Sheffield, who has caused weeks of controversy this spring by demanding a contract extension or a trade from the Dodgers. "Our philosophy is that our players honor their contracts," Boras said. "That was something we had to agree on and we came to an understanding. Everything will be done in a quiet and professional way." Sheffield still has three years remaining on his contract, worth $30 million, plus an $11 club option for 2004. The Dodgers have been trying to trade the disgruntled 32-year-old star, but did not find what they deemed an acceptable deal, partly because he left them will little bargaining power. Sheffield has also feuded with Daly, calling him a liar and accusing him of unprofessional behavior. During Monday night's 3-1 loss to the New York Mets, Sheffield met with Daly for 30 minutes. Sheffield later read from a hand-written statement, saying, "I owe L.A. Dodger fans an apology."
On Saturday, Sheffield dropped his trade request. On Monday, he hired Boras, who has a better relationship with Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone than his former agent, Jim Neader. "Scott is a full-service agent," Malone said. "He doesn't just handle contract negotiations. He helps players on and off the field and helps them reach their full potential." Malone admitted Monday's development will eventually lead to a better relationship between the Dodgers and Sheffield, but he wouldn't completely rule out a trade. "We're pleased with Gary's decision, but we're going to keep our options open," Malone said. "If there's a deal out there that would improve our ballclub, we would certainly consider it." Malone said he has no such deal on the table, and doesn't foresee such a trade happening soon. "I've always said our first choice was to keep Gary Sheffield," Malone said. "He's a great player and my responsibility to this organization is to field the best team I possibly can." Boras' first task will be to try to rebuild Sheffield's image. Sheffield was in the Dodgers' starting lineup in an exhibition game at nearby Port St. Lucie against the Mets and was booed each time he batted. He went 0-for-3. Boras also said Sheffield will apologize to his teammates and coaches in a team meeting Tuesday. "I've known Gary since he was 15 years old, and I know he's a good person," Boras said. "His only problem was that he was given some misinformation. Gary is a baseball player, not a negotiator. We want Gary to go back to being a baseball player." Boras said a rumor that the Dodgers were trying to trade Sheffield during the offseason in order to clear money to make a run at Alex Rodriguez was false. Boras also represents Rodriguez, who signed a record 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. "That's the type of misinformation I'm talking about," Boras said. "But Gary's accepted total responsibility for what has happened, and he has apologized." Boras is confident things will work out with Sheffield and his teammates. "One of the reasons why I'm doing this is because his teammates came to me," said Boras, who also represents catcher Angel Pena, third baseman Adrian Beltre, and pitchers Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park and Darren Dreifort. "They want to have him as their teammate." Neader, reached in St. Petersburg, Fla., would only say he spoke with Sheffield on Monday and that he hopes "everything turns out fantastic for him; I wish all the best for Gary and his family, absolutely." Before the Dodgers faced the Mets, Sheffield was asked what he had learned from what's happened, and replied, "To let my agent do his job and I'll do mine."
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
