Sheffield a Ray? Probably not

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com
FORT MYERS — The news of Gary Sheffield’s release from the Tigers early Tuesday morning reached the Rays front office in Port Charlotte shortly after it happened in Lakeland.

That the Tampa product indicated to reporters in Lakeland that he would be willing to continue his career with the Rays was relayed to Joe Maddon before the Rays-Red Sox game at City of Palms Park.

“That’s very complimentary that he would want to come play for us,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I have so much respect for this guy as a baseball player. I’ve gotten to know him a little bit over the last couple years, just having abstract conversations with him. I saw him during the off-season he’s in great shape, he’s a very strong person. And I like him. Conversationally I really like him. I don’t know, again, it’s very complimentary that he would want to play with us, and beyond that I have no idea what would happen.”

Sheffield has 499 home runs over his 21-year career. He will make $14 million this season. Any team that claims him off waivers or signs him as a free agent if he clears waivers will owe him the major league minimum $400,000.

The Rays really don’t have any place for Sheffield.

Pat Burrell, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract in the offseason, is the designated hitter, which means Sheffield will have to play right field.

Tiger manager Jim Leyland was not eager to play Sheffield in the outfield during the past two seasons, which became a sore subject between Sheffield and the Tigers.

The 21-year veteran, who is probably headed to the Hall of fame, had only eight hits this spring and was hitting .178 upon his release. Three of those eight hits were home runs, though.

Balfour struggles
Grant Balfour allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday, turning a 7-5 lead into an 8-5 loss to the Red Sox.

“Grant just got fastballs in a bad spot,” Maddon said. “Last year he was able to throw that fastball by people. He just hasn’t been as sharp with his velocity or location, but I believe he’s going to be fine.”

Balfour allowed two walks and a two-run double to former Ray Nick Green that tied the score at 7-7. Angel Chavez singled Green home for the go-ahead run.

Balfour has allowed nine hits, four runs and has walked six batters in six innings this spring.

Sonny sharp
Andy Sonnanstine became the first Rays pitcher to go seven innings this spring when he allowed six hits and five runs to the Red Sox. The biggest blow was a three-run homer by Jason Varitek in the seventh inning that cut the Rays lead to 7-5.

Sonnanstine was pleased with his effort and pleased with the command he had with his change-up, a pitch he’s worked on this spring.

Joyce impressive again
Don’t be surprised if Matt Joyce is in Boston for Monday’s season opener against the Red Sox.

The outfielder who missed the first 21 games of the spring because of tendinitis in his right calf, was 2-for-4 against the Red Sox with a two-run homer, his first home run of the spring.

“Joyce looked good again. Very good, actually,” Maddon said.

He also chased down a blast to center field by David Ortiz, catching the ball in front of the wall.
“He’s very smooth out there,” Maddon said. “He runs good routes. I like it.”

NOTEWORTHY
Maddon said center field B.J. Upton will open the season in Port Charlotte with the Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs ... Jon Weber hit his third home run of the spring, a two-run shot off Justin Masterson in the sixth inning. He now has a team-high 14 RBIs ... Gabe Gross hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run blast off Clay Buchholz the struck the batter’s eye in center field ... Chris Richards, Willy Aybar, Shawn Riggans, Ray Sadler and Gabe Kapler each had doubles ... Ben Zobrist had his third triple of the spring ... The Rays play their final game this spring at Charlotte Sport Park. The will top 100,000 in spring training home attendance for the first time in the team’s 12 years.