They must pay pitcher Dontrelle Willis $10 million and another $12 million in 2010. He is on the disabled list because of an anxiety disorder, and nobody has any idea as to when he will contribute on the field.

That is $24 million this year that likely will produce nothing for a ballclub with more than $100 million invested in the rest of the team. Tigers owner Mike Ilitch supported the move.

"Mr. I has always listened to our opinions on what gives us the best chance to win," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "But I don't make the decisions to eat contracts, I manage the team."

Sheffield's 500th home run will come for another team after being told by Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski and Leyland that they wanted to go with a more versatile lineup and he wasn't part of it.

"We think it makes us a better ballclub," Dombrowski said. "However, we're talking about a probable Hall of Famer. He's had a tremendous career."

Leyland fully agreed with the move but did not sleep well the night before.

"It's not good when you light up two Marlboros at 3 a.m.," he said. "You know you've got something on your mind. It was eating at me all night, but it was accepted totally professionally by Gary."

Sheffield, 40, said Tigers staff members "were looking at me funny" lately.

"I'm not stunned," he said. "But you don't really know what to feel or what to call it."

Is his career over?

"No," Sheffield said. "It ain't close."

Leyland agreed with him, saying he will get No. 500 "and many more" in addition to a phone call from his former manager when it happens.

"This is a bomb," Leyland said several times when discussing the move.

"This is a gut-wrencher. I've always had a wonderful relationship with Gary Sheffield, and I always will. We shared a world championship together (with the 1997 Florida Marlins). But we're trying to do what gives us the best options. So, I separate the two.

"It's a Baseball decision. It gives me a lot more flexibility and gives me the opportunity to rest guys by way of the DH. I like to get more people active."

Keeping all roster parts moving meant Sheffield would have to share the designated hitter spot to some extent. So, with an able replacement in the wings in Marcus Thames, they decided to cut ties.

Thames was not going to get many at-bats with Carlos Guillen in left field, and Thames preferred a trade to sitting. But the Tigers couldn't move him and decided he was their better option at DH.

Thames has batted .241 in the majors, and his career highs of 348 at-bats, 26 homers and 60 RBIs all came in 2006. Sheffield has those 499 career homers, but had only 19 in 418 at-bats during an injury-plagued 2008 season.