Over the past couple of days, several friends have pointed out the fact that Gary Sheffield is doing well in New York and they feel that perhaps the Tigers cut him loose too soon.  When Gary was a Tiger and was healthy, he was a very good player.  in fact, a better all around player than I ever realized.  The problem was, Shef was coming off several injuries and didn't perform all that well this spring.  The Tigers also felt that he was limited defensively in what he could bring to the club.  You can only carry so many potential DH types on your roster.

So, Sheffield goes to New York, hits his 500th home run and plays well.  That's great for Gary.  I was hoping to call his 500th home run, but in the end it worked out well for him.  It also worked out just as planned for the Tigers.  With Sheffield's departure, and to an extent, Carlos Guillen's injury, the Tigers accomplished what they wanted when Sheff was given his walking papers; they got faster and more flexible as a line-up.  Anderson's day in KC yesterday was a great example.  Ryan Raburn is also playing well these days and Clete Thomas has had his moments.  Even when the Tigers went to the World Series in 2006, they craved more speed.  Now they have some.  Sometimes you have to make tough choices (and eat a large contract) to do what's best for the team.  The Tigers made a hard choice.  Sheff is doing well.  The Tigers are in first place.