Marlins close to getting Sheffield

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins are so close to acquiring All-Star third baseman Gary Sheffield from the San Diego Padres that they have expanded their payroll to accommodate his salary and told starting third baseman Dave Magadan that he should prepare to become a reserve.

The deal could be done as soon as today. The Marlins, according to club sources, are ready to give up Triple-A pitcher Jose Martinez, the organization's best pitching prospect, and another minor-league pitcher.

Sheffield, 24, can be both splendid and sour. He made a strong run at the Triple Crown last year, his first good year in the majors. But he was arrested just last week in Houston after a fight with a police officer in a late-night restaurant. In 1991, when he was unhappy in Milwaukee, Sheffield said he purposely made errors -- throwing balls into the stands -- in hope of forcing a trade.