1.   But the Dodgers, for now, are not shopping the slugging outfielder Gary Sheffield.

2.   Slugging outfielders and slumping infielders aside, what makes this Yankee team dangerous is its bullpen, particularly closer John Wetteland and middleman Mariano Rivera.

3.   They acquired Gary Sheffield, a slugging outfielder in whom the Mets had engaged in previous flirtations.

4.   Toronto has done a remarkable job surviving the loss of slugging outfielder Raul Mondesi, who had elbow surgery and is lost for the season.

5.   Already, Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone has tried to deal the slugging outfielder.

6.   Oakland traded slugging outfielder Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay, and the Devil Rays sent closer Roberto Hernandez to the Royals.

7.   The Mets completed an offseason overhaul of their offense, getting the slugging outfielder they had been seeking after being spurned by free agent Juan Gonzalez.

8.   The slugging outfielder planned to decide Tuesday whether to re-sign with the Cleveland Indians or bolt to the Boston Red Sox, his agent said.

9.   Traded to Detroit in the offseason, the slugging outfielder was talking to a friend over breakfast Sunday about Bush.

10.   With Sheffield demanding a new contract or a trade to the Yankees, New York Mets or Atlanta, the Los Angeles Dodgers tried to accommodate the slugging outfielder.