The New York Yankees have traded Gary Sheffield to the Tigers for pitching prospects Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan, and Anthony Claggett. This will be the first of many trades this busy off-season.
Sheffield played with the Yankees for the past 2 years; his 3rd year option was picked up earlier in the week. The Yankees had planned on trading Sheffield for weeks rather than losing him with nothing to show for it. Sheffield will be the starting right fielder for the defending AL champs; Magglio Ordonez should DH next season. As part of the deal, Sheffield received a 2 year extension from the Tigers.
Sanchez was considered the best pitching prospect in the Tiger’s system. He is a hard thrower and was considered to be their closer of the future (although he spent most of his time as a starter). His ceiling is higher than former teammate Joel Zumaya. Sanchez has a chance to make the roster out of spring training.
Whelan was drafted in the 4th round out of Texas A&M by the Tigers in 2005. He spent this past season at Hi A Lakeland. He went 4-1 with 27 saves in 54.0 innings. He had an ERA of 2.67. He should begin the season at Double A for the Yankees.
Claggett was an 11th round draft pick in 2005 by the Tigers. He spent his college days at University of California Riverside, where he didn’t start pitching until his junior season (his last season before he was drafted). Last season he started the season with Western Michigan (Lo A) before he pitched 1 inning for Triple A Toledo. He has a 7-2 career record, with 14 saves and 1.75 ERA. Claggett should start the season at Double A, with a chance at Triple A.
Adding these 3 players to the Yankees farm system is a huge boost. In the power rankings that will be released shortly, the Yankees ranked 17th in farm system. With this trade, they should move up to at least the 15th slot. The Tigers would move into the 19th or 20th spot.
This is the second trade this off season, as the Padres traded 2nd baseman Josh Barfield to the Indians for reliever Andrew Brown and 3B prospect Kevin Kouzmanoff. Barfield will start at second for the Indians will Brown instantly joins the Padres ‘pen and Kouzmanoff will challenge for the job at third.
