April 3 -- SHEFF TO METS?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

Look who else may want Gary Sheffield.

According to today's New York Daily News, the Mets have some interest in the 40-year-old slugger. Although, as my friend Adam Rubin reports, agent Rufus Williams wouldn't say if he has talked with Mets GM Omar Minaya or his lieutenants. (To me, that means he hasn't. Williams has been very forthcoming about his conversations with Ruben Amaro Jr.)

In fact, Williams told me that he had another conversation with Amaro after Sheffield cleared waivers yesterday. As we wrote in today's News Journal, Williams said "playing time is important" to Sheffield, but in the next breath, he said Sheffield is "not ruling anything out at the moment." Williams also indicated that Sheffield realizes he may have to start the season on the bench.

OK, here's my take on the whole Sheffield saga: It would be a good risk for the Phillies.

And here's why: The Phillies' bench lacks a right-handed hitter with power. (Yeah, yeah, I know they have Chris Coste, but he's the backup catcher, a status that makes it risky for Charlie Manuel to use him in pinch-hitting situations.) Sheffield always has been a starter, and there isn't enough evidence in his 34 career pinch-hit at-bats that he can be a productive bench player. But it would cost the Phillies only $400,000 to find out.

About Sheffield's reputation as a high-maintenance clubhouse diva: Well, I've talked to enough people in the last few days who say that a motivated Sheffield usually doesn't cause any trouble, and all signs point to Sheffield being motivated. a) He's on the final year of his contract, and as Williams said yesterday, he plans to play beyond this season. b) He was just released. If that doesn't motivate a guy to prove he still has something left, nothing will. And even if Sheffield's outsized personality does ruffle a few feathers, Manuel used to manage Albert Belle and Manny Ramirez in Cleveland. I think he can deal with Sheffield.

Your thoughts?

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Pat Gillick will throw the ceremonial first pitch Sunday night. NASA astronaut Chris Ferguson will present Manuel with the Phillies jersey that he wore in space. And Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, will sing the national anthem.

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Also in today's News Journal, Preview Week continues as we look at Brett Myers, the opening-night starter and biggest X-factor on the Phillies' pitching staff. Previously this week, we've examined several other "difference-makers" for the Phillies. In Sunday's paper, it was Jayson Werth, the Phillies' lone right-handed slugger. On Monday, it was the bullpen, which will be hard-pressed to duplicate its 2008 performance. On Tuesday, it was the always tenuous health of Cole Hamels. On Wednesday, it was newly named No. 5 starter Chan Ho Park. And, on Thursday, it was Raul Ibanez, the man with the somewhat unenviable task of replacing Pat Burrell.

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On my US Airways flight home last night: Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. ... And no, he didn't serenade us.