"As the Mets broke camp, this news broke, too: slugger Gary Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials, the Daily News has learned.

Rufus Williams, who represents Sheffield, would not disclose whether the Mets had contacted him. And with the team flying to New York after their game Thursday afternoon, it was believed an internal meeting had yet to take place among team brass.

But "it's got to be discussed," a source with ties to the team said.

The Tigers released the 40-year-old Sheffield on Tuesday despite owing him $14 million this season. Any team signing Sheffield - Dwight Gooden's nephew - would only be obligated to pay the major-league minimum ($400,000). The ex-Yankee hit .225 with 19 homers and 57 RBI in 418 at-bats for the Tigers last season.

Williams said Sheffield seeks an opportunity to maximize his playing time, so that he can parlay that into work in 2010 and beyond.

"You don't show much when you're sitting on the bench," the agent said. "... Gary is going to play beyond this year. It's important for him to get an opportunity to play. What we're trying to ensure, wherever he's going, is that he has an opportunity to participate and perform."

The Mets could use a righty bat for the bench. They likely would have to release Marlon Anderson and eat his $1.15 million contract in order to clear room. Still, how much playing time the Mets could promise Sheffield relative to other teams is debatable. Jerry Manuel feels so good about left fielder Daniel Murphy's ability to hit lefthanders that the manager aborted the team's offseason plans for Murphy to platoon with Fernando Tatis.

And how many at-bats could Sheffield get in right field even if Ryan Church sits against lefthanders? Tatis' at-bats would have to diminish as well. The Mets couldn't even fit a switch-hitting option such as Bobby Kielty, whom they hold in high regard, on the Opening Day roster as a righty bat for the bench. And righty-hitting outfielder Nick Evans only fits for four games before pitcher Livan Hernandez is activated.

Other teams reportedly interested in Sheffield include the Phillies and Reds."