Utility Outfielder – Gary Sheffield (1998-2001)
Stats: 4 years, 526 games played, 17.0 WAR, .312/.424/.573, 129 home runs, 88 doubles, 367 RBIs, 358 runs scored, 43 stolen bases, 365 walks and 232 strikeouts.
Accolades: 2x All-Star
While on his way to becoming a member of the 500 home run club, Gary Sheffield was one of the premier sluggers of the early 2000s. He hit at least 34 home runs in each of the three full seasons he spent with Los Angeles, leading the team in RBI over that span. The converted outfielder was a major liability in the field, but he was consistent enough at the plate to negate the damage he did with his glove.
The Dodgers never finished any better than six games back of first place in the NL West during Sheffield’s tenure with the club, failing to win more than 86 games in each of his four seasons. Sheffield was able to finish in the top-10 of NL MVP voting in 2000, when he smacked 43 home runs and posted an OPS of 1.081.
Sheffield’s final season with the Dodgers had a bit of a sour taste to it, as he’d publicly criticized the front office and coaches for their spending habits over the previous offseason and demanded to be traded. GM Kevin Malone was unable to work out a deal, and Sheffield was forced to play for L.A. once again. He still had a productive year, but his relationship with the players and fans never quite mended.