Gary Sheffield was scheduled to meet with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday and could sign with another team any day.
        Jim Leyland says a manager and a general manager from two different teams have called him, asking about Sheffield. Sheffield told Leyland three clubs have already contacted him.
        “He’s looking for everyday playing time , which I couldn’t promise him,”  Reds manager Dusty Baker told a Cincinnati radio station.
        Any team signing Sheffield will only have to pay him the major league minimum $400,000. The Tigers will still be on the hook for the balance of his $14 million salary
        Late last September, when Sheffield was closing in on his 500th home run, the Tigers made plans to celebrate the historic occasion and purchased an appropriate gift.  “It is absolutely beautiful,” Dombrowski said.
        If Sheffield does hit that 500th HR, this week, or next week, or next month,  on behalf of some other team, will the Tigers still send him his gift?
        “I haven’t thought about that,” Dombrowski admitted.
        In my mind, the more relevant question is:  If Sheffield signs with a contender and that team, with Gary’s help, gets into the playoffs, will he send the Tigers part of his post-season bonus check?