"Surly slugger Gary Sheffield is back in the Big Apple.

The Mets agreed Friday afternoon to sign Sheffield after he was unexpectedly released on Tuesday by the Tigers.

Detroit still owes Sheffield $14 million for this season, so the Mets are only obligated to pay him the major-league minimum of $400,000. Other teams reportedly interested in Sheffield included the Phillies and Reds.

The Daily News first reported in Friday's editions that the Mets were going to "discuss" adding the 40-year-old slugger with 499 career home runs to their roster.

Now that those discussions have turned into reality, Sheffield will likely take playing time away from either Dan Murphy or Ryan Church.

Jerry Manuel said Friday that he wants to get Sheffield "in shape to play an outfield position."

"Once he does that and gets the at-bats .... If the performance is there, he'll continue to play," Manuel added.

Neither corner outfielder seemed upset over Sheffield's arrival.

"He's more than welcome," Church said. "He's a great player and he's just another piece for us.

"I can't control what they do," the right fielder added in regards to potential at-bats he'd surrender to Sheffield, who played exclusively at DH last year in Detroit. "I just have to always be ready to play every day."

Murphy, who Manuel penciled in as the starting left fielder coming out of spring training, added: "We're here to win a World Series. If the organization and Omar (Minaya) think he's going to help, let's go get him."

Both Manuel and Minaya indicated that Sheffield is more likely to play right field than left and said the righty slugger can balance the Mets' lineup, which has been dominated by lefthanded hitters in recent seasons.

Sheffield's agent, Rufus Williams, said the slugger would sign with a team that offered him ample playing time, so he can audition himself for another contract in 2010.

"You don't show much when you're sitting on the bench," Williams said on Thursday. ".... It's important for him to get an opportunity to play." "