LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - Detroit Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield called his former agent a "bad person" and said Scott Boras is trying to get money he doesn't deserve.
The dispute stems from the $39 million, three-year contract the All- Star signed in 2003 with the New York Yankees.
Sheffield declined to comment on the specifics of the grievance Thursday, but the designated hitter has said he represented himself when the Yankees' deal was done. Boras has said Sheffield agreed to let him represent the outfielder when his contract with Atlanta ran out.
Sheffield vowed to say a lot of "ugly things" about various topics when the case is settled and he doesn't care if Major League Baseball punishes him.
"It ain't going to be pretty," he said. "No fine is going to be big enough. No suspension is going to be long enough."
Boras declined to escalate the situation.
"I'm not going to comment on Gary's comments," Boras said.
Sheffield said he has given a deposition each year since the grievance was issued, and Feb. 28 or so will be the next one.
"Nothing happens. Then, he comes back, `I want some more money.' That's basically the way he's acting," Sheffield said. "I don't know why. It's probably personal with him. But when it's done, it's going to be personal with me."
Sheffield fired agent Jim Neader and hired Boras in the spring of when he created a stir while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers by demanding a contract extension or a trade. He had $30 million and three years left on his deal plus an $11 million club option.
"I've known Gary since he was 15 years old, and I know he's a good person," Boras said then.
Sheffield fired Boras in 2003, saying he planned to represent himself in the future.
Several months later, Sheffield signed with the Yankees and said he negotiated the contract himself with owner George Steinbrenner. Boras later filed paperwork requesting 5 percent of the $39 million deal.
Sheffield has said his problems with Boras cost him a longer contract when he became a free agent.
"Can you explain why (Miguel) Tejada gets six years, (Vladimir) Guerrero gets five years and I get three? He cost me two years of a contract because he was trying to tarnish my name," Sheffield said in "The whole year in Atlanta, I had to get the players' association to stop him from writing me threatening letters saying, 'Either you let me do your contract or I'll be forced to sue you.' That's a threat and harassment."
Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said earlier this week he still hasn't spoken with Boras since negotiating his new contract this offseason without his longtime agent.
"Do you blame him?" Sheffield asked.
Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers fired Boras during this winter after the agent tried to shop his services even though the pitcher only wanted to negotiate with Detroit.
Boras does represent other Tigers, including reigning AL batting champion Magglio Ordonez, All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez and first- round pick Rick Porcello.
Sheffield said he is going to warn everybody about Boras when their dispute is resolved.
"It's going to be the ugliest thing you've ever seen because certain people you don't mess with," he said. "And I guarantee you, I'm one of them."
Sheffield said he will tell players to hire whom they want, but will share his experience as one of Boras' clients.
"Total hell," he said. "I shouldn't have ever introduced myself to him. Period. Bad person."
The dispute stems from the $39 million, three-year contract the All- Star signed in 2003 with the New York Yankees.
Sheffield declined to comment on the specifics of the grievance Thursday, but the designated hitter has said he represented himself when the Yankees' deal was done. Boras has said Sheffield agreed to let him represent the outfielder when his contract with Atlanta ran out.
Sheffield vowed to say a lot of "ugly things" about various topics when the case is settled and he doesn't care if Major League Baseball punishes him.
"It ain't going to be pretty," he said. "No fine is going to be big enough. No suspension is going to be long enough."
Boras declined to escalate the situation.
"I'm not going to comment on Gary's comments," Boras said.
Sheffield said he has given a deposition each year since the grievance was issued, and Feb. 28 or so will be the next one.
"Nothing happens. Then, he comes back, `I want some more money.' That's basically the way he's acting," Sheffield said. "I don't know why. It's probably personal with him. But when it's done, it's going to be personal with me."
Sheffield fired agent Jim Neader and hired Boras in the spring of when he created a stir while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers by demanding a contract extension or a trade. He had $30 million and three years left on his deal plus an $11 million club option.
"I've known Gary since he was 15 years old, and I know he's a good person," Boras said then.
Sheffield fired Boras in 2003, saying he planned to represent himself in the future.
Several months later, Sheffield signed with the Yankees and said he negotiated the contract himself with owner George Steinbrenner. Boras later filed paperwork requesting 5 percent of the $39 million deal.
Sheffield has said his problems with Boras cost him a longer contract when he became a free agent.
"Can you explain why (Miguel) Tejada gets six years, (Vladimir) Guerrero gets five years and I get three? He cost me two years of a contract because he was trying to tarnish my name," Sheffield said in "The whole year in Atlanta, I had to get the players' association to stop him from writing me threatening letters saying, 'Either you let me do your contract or I'll be forced to sue you.' That's a threat and harassment."
Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said earlier this week he still hasn't spoken with Boras since negotiating his new contract this offseason without his longtime agent.
"Do you blame him?" Sheffield asked.
Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers fired Boras during this winter after the agent tried to shop his services even though the pitcher only wanted to negotiate with Detroit.
Boras does represent other Tigers, including reigning AL batting champion Magglio Ordonez, All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez and first- round pick Rick Porcello.
Sheffield said he is going to warn everybody about Boras when their dispute is resolved.
"It's going to be the ugliest thing you've ever seen because certain people you don't mess with," he said. "And I guarantee you, I'm one of them."
Sheffield said he will tell players to hire whom they want, but will share his experience as one of Boras' clients.
"Total hell," he said. "I shouldn't have ever introduced myself to him. Period. Bad person."
one asshole speaks of another.
