Posted by Jason Pafundi on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 3:34 pm

According to numerous sources, the New York Mets have agreed on a one-year contract with veteran outfielder Gary Sheffield, released on Tuesday by the Detroit Tigers. Sheffield, who has 499 career home runs, will earn approximately $400,000 (which is the pro-rated portion of the veteran’s minimum) from the Mets, while the Tigers will pick up the remaining part of his $14 million salary.

As a lifelong Mets fan, I see this move as having almost no risk, but also as having a high reward. Sheffield, the nephew of former Met great Dwight Gooden, will presumably hit his 500th home run in a Mets uniform, which as a fan, is an exciting thought. Granted, he may not be able to patrol the outfield like a Gold Glover, but the chance that he regains his hitting stroke and contributes to an already-potent lineup seems to be well worth the 400K investment.

If it doesn’t work out, Sheffield can fade quietly into the night. The Mets now have Sheffield, Daniel Murphy, Ryan Church and Fernando Tatis to patrol the corners of the new Citi Field.

Prediction: Sheffield hits 20 homers in a platoon role with the Mets this season.