"Gary Sheffield has agreed to sign with the New York Mets, SI.com has learned. An official announcement is expected this afternoon.

It is presumed that the Mets will pay him the pro-rated portion of the $400,000 minimum. The Tigers are obligated to pick up the rest of Sheffield's $14 million salary.

Sheffield chose the Mets over the Phillies and Reds because he believes he'll get more playing time with the Mets -- although Mets people have said no promises have been made.

The New York Post first reported that the Mets were closing in on a deal with Sheffield earlier on Friday.

He's expected to be mainly a right-handed pinch hitter off the bench and to occasionally spell Ryan Church in right field. Mets people also hope the added competition might spur Church, who struggled in the second half last year.

Sheffield, who is former Mets great Dwight Gooden's nephew, brings power to the lineup, as noted by his 499 career home runs. But he was released by the Tigers after hitting .178 this spring following his .225 average last season (and only 19 home runs in 431 at-bats). "