"In addition to the Mets, the Cubs, Rangers, Indians, Braves and Blue Jays all need corner outfield help. Texas has definite interest in Sheffield and has a young center fielder in Laynce Nix to build a package around. A second AL official said the Yanks "are really on Mark Kotsay," and suggested he is a player for whom they would move top prospect Eric Duncan. It is possible the Yanks could use Sheffield to obtain prospects to deal to Oakland for Kotsay or perhaps to Toronto for Vernon Wells. The Yanks have shown little fervor for either Colorado's Preston Wilson or the Cubs' Corey Patterson.
In Cameron, the Yanks would get an elite athlete who, if moved back over from right field, would immediately become one of the AL's top defensive center fielders. At 32, he is four years younger than Sheffield, makes $6 million this season and next with a $7 million 2007 option. The Yanks would have to get additional players to balance a deal. They talked to the Mets earlier in the season about reacquiring Miguel Cairo and also would have interest in a young Met pitcher."