April 2 -- SHEFFIELD'S AGENT: 'IT'S IMPORTANT THAT HE PLAYS'

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- As expected, Gary Sheffield cleared waivers at 1 p.m., and in the two hours that have passed, his agent has had further contact with the Phillies, among other teams.

"We'll move as fast as we need to, but no faster," agent Rufus Williams told The News Journal in a telephone conversation this afternoon. "We're not pressed or being pressed. As time goes along, we get closer [to finding a job for Sheffield], but we're not there yet."

Reds manager Dusty Baker said yesterday that Sheffield's biggest priority is playing every day. He certainly won't get that opportunity with the Phillies, and at this point, it's still unclear that he'll get it anywhere. The Phillies' interest in Sheffield is primarily as a right-handed pinch-hitter.

"Playing is important," Williams said. "It's not going to do anybody any good for Gary to be on the bench. It's important that he plays."

So, does that rule out the Phillies?

"We're not ruling anything out at the moment," Williams said. "As the cycle goes through, [coming off the bench] might be the place we've reached. But Gary is still talented and extremely versatile. He's injury-free, and he's in great shape."

I asked Williams if Sheffield is confident he can still play the outfield after being a designated hitter for the Tigers for the past two seasons.

"We don't see that as a negative," Williams said. "The notion of him playing the outfield, that's what he does."

Stay tuned.