Is he done? I’m talking about Gary Sheffield.
Reason being, is that for the Tigers, getting the former perenial All-Star off of the DL should be a positive. One to allow the Tigers in their journey back to respectability, on route to a battle for the division. Unfortunately; with the performance of the presumed DH to this point of the season, it may be an uncomfortable return to say the least.
Can Sheff return to form?
With Sheff confident that a healthy shoulder will equal quality at-bats and at least a return to form, he knows that he’ll have the Skipper on his side. It’s just that in his absence, the Tigers have crawled back into contention and being only five games back of the division lead every game is extremely meaningful. Does he deserve an opportunity to reclaim the regular spot on the batting order that he had prior to going on the shelf? Of course he does. His past achievements credit at least such an opportunity. However, the difference this time, is that the Tigers and their management can’t be as patient as they have been, waiting for Gary to turn it around. 
“I WANNA PLAY EVERYDAY JIMMY! PUT ME IN!”A couple of good things that a healthy Sheff brings is a tremendous plate presence. Even struggling this season with a .213 AVG. his 25 walks (in 151 plate appearances, giving him a .344 OBP) prove that he still shows tremendous patience at the plate and certainly draws a great deal of respect at the dish. While his tremendous bat speed is still there, that is one area that at times it appeared to require a fine tune adjustment. Too many lazy pop-ups and soft groundouts, which is usually an indication that he is too far behind a pitch, or swinging too early. While his K/AB ratio is up quite a bit from his career average (1/8.08 career compared to 1/4.53 this season) he is still making contact. Also, at the age of 39, he still is a tremendous base runner that is a threat along the base paths.
Even at 39, Sheff has great vision and good legs on the bases.
The Tigers took a flyer on him in acquiring him coming off of an injury-riddled season, and went ahead and extended a 3-year deal without suiting up in D-Town. Many were happy with the aggressive move thinking that this was a move that would provide the middle of the line-up with a veteran presence, one that provides power, and will open up pitches for Guillen and Magglio, and when he’s in there, he’s done that. Unfortunately with 1.5 years left on a hefty contract, if his injuries don’t subside and he doesn’t straighten up his problems at the plate, should he be removed from an everyday role, I fear that Gary Sheffield may become a distraction. He believes that he still can contribute and wants to play everyday in some facet of the game.
Hopefully, we won’t have to see this anymore.
With Marcus Thames and his mighty bat having quite a coming out party since being passed the torch of a more consistent at-bat opportunity, I think that it would be a mistake to shake up too much in this line-up when things are going accordingly.
A familiar site of late. Marcus Thames showing off his home-run trot.
We’ll see what Jimmy Ley has planned. I’m sure that whatever happens it will be second guessed by many. I don’t care what he does, as long as in the long run, it works.
