Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Gary Sheffield Explains On Players’ Tribune How He Nearly Blocked Trade To Dodgers
Dodgers News

Gary Sheffield Explains On Players’ Tribune How He Nearly Blocked Trade To Dodgers

Daniel Starkand
July 15, 2016
3 Min Read
Gary Sheffield Explains On Players’ Tribune How He Nearly Blocked Trade To Dodgers
SHARE

One season after winning the World Series, the then-Florida Marlins were part of a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998. Given the star players who were involved in the deal, it served as another reminder Major League Baseball is in fact a business.

Los Angeles sent their best player, Mike Piazza, as well as Todd Zeile, to South Beach in exchange for one of the Marlins’ best players, Gary Sheffield, plus Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson, Jim Eisenreich and a Minor League pitcher to be named later.

Sheffield was in the prime of his career, and as a Florida native coming off his first World Series ring, was not particularly open to being traded.

Further complicating matters was the no-trade clause he had in his contract. According to what Sheffield wrote for The Players’ Tribune, he had strict demands for the Dodgers if they wanted to complete trade their the then four-time All-Star:

I said, “First, you gotta write me a check for $6 million. Then, you gotta buy me a home worth $3 million. Then, you gotta pay my California taxes, up to $1 million. And then … I’ll sign that sheet of paper.”

Despite the fact that Sheffield had yet to waive his no-trade clause, the deal was publicly announced as being completed. That left both clubs squarely on the hot seat and further incentivized to see the trade through.

That led to the Dodgers playing their game that evening and meeting Sheffield’s demands:

By the time the game finished, they had agreed to all my demands. They wrote me that check, and I became a Dodger.

And you know what? I played my ass off for Los Angeles, and I really loved it there and had some of the best years of my career. Batted over .300 and hit at least 34 home runs every year I wore Dodger blue. I demanded to be paid what I was worth because I approached the game as a professional. I was as competitive when it came to negotiating my compensation as I was whenever I went up to bat.

In 22 career seasons, Sheffield hit 509 home runs, was named a Silver Slugger five times and was named a nine-time All-Star. He played for the Dodgers from 1998-2001 before being traded to the Atlanta Braves for Brian Jordan, Odalis Pérez and Andrew Brown.

Sheffield was named an All-Star in two of his three full seasons with the Dodgers, and hit at least 34 home runs and drove in at least 100 runs each year. Over parts of four seasons with Los Angeles, he batted .312/.424/.573 with 88 doubles, 129 home runs and 367 RBIs.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Gary SheffieldLos Angeles Dodgers
ByDaniel Starkand
Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com, Daniel also writes for LakersNation.com. Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Miguel Rojas
FeaturedRumors

Dodgers Rumors: 2023 Payroll Exceeded Luxury Tax Threshold Before Miguel Rojas Trade

January 15, 2023
January 15, 2023
Glove, baseball
FeaturedMLB NewsSpring Training

Roster Changes With 2021 MLB Health & Safety Protocols

February 11, 2021
February 11, 2021
Ruben-tejada-chase-utley
Dodgers News

Chase Utley’s Appeal Hearing Likely Won’t Be Held Until Spring Training

November 7, 2015
November 24, 2015
Blake Treinen, 2021 NLDS
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Injury News: Blake Treinen Unlikely To Pitch During Braves Series

April 19, 2022
April 19, 2022

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어