According to a report by the New York Post, Mets outfielder Gary Sheffield asked the club for a contract extension, they rejected, and now he’s threatening to leave the team and go home.

As of 6:30 p.m., one of the sources said, Mets officials and Sheffield were in discussions on how to move forward. Mets pitcher Tim Redding actually said he heard Sheffield had been released. But a Mets official told the Post that was inaccurate and that Sheffield had not been released.

Sheffield had been part of the original lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Braves. But Jerry Manuel said that Sheffield had pulled himself to clear his head.

It’s understandable that Sheffield wants an extension considering that his current contract is expiring and at his age, he’s looking for a little job security. He’s also hitting .285 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI, so he’s had a good season up to this point.

But it was highly unprofessional of him to remove himself from the starting lineup on Thursday because he’s upset with the front office. Just because he’s had a good year and has proven that he can still play at 40, doesn’t mean he’s entitled to put his personal desires above the team.

The Mets gave him a chance to continue his career after the Tigers released him in March and how does he repay them? By causing a stink because they won’t give him a contract extension. Seems selfish and immature on his part.

Sheffield has burned down bridges everywhere he’s gone and seems intent on doing that again in New York.

The Mets have signed free agent outfielder Gary Sheffield according to SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

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.

“Gary gives us another element in the lineup and he gives us a different intensity, just because of the competitive guy that he is,” Mets GM Omar Minaya said.

Sheffield chose the Mets over the Phillies and Reds because he believes he’ll get more playing time in New York.

“The Mets told him, ‘You deliver, and you’ll play,’ ” a person close to Sheffield said.

Though Mets people have said no promises have been made.

Sheffield should be on a short leash. He’s expected to be a right-handed bat off the bench and maybe get some time in right field but the moment he starts bitching about his playing time Omar Minaya should end the experiment.

The added pop to the lineup will be nice for the Mets, but they don’t need anyone getting in the way of the development of youngsters Daniel Murphy or Ryan Church.

According to Newsday, the Mets are close to signing a deal with free agent outfielder Gary Sheffield, who was recently released by the Tigers.

The Mets have contacted Gary Sheffield directly to gauge his interest in coming to New York and a person familiar with the situation said today that he could sign with a club as soon as tonight. Sheffield worked out yesterday at a college field in Tampa, as first reported by SI.com, and the Mets are considered to be his first choice, with the Phillies and Reds also showing interest.

On the surface, Sheffield appears to be a good fit for the Mets as a right-handed slugger capable of providing power off the bench. If they did sign Sheffield, Marlon Anderson is the most obvious roster casualty. Eating his $1.15-million salary is made more palatable by the fact that Sheffield is only due the major-league minimum of $400,000. The Tigers released him earlier this week despite owing him $14 million for this season.

Finding Sheffield playing time is a little more complicated. The Mets could immediately platoon him with Ryan Church in rightfield, which seems more likely given their infatuation with Daniel Murphy in left. Of course, if Murphy struggles, that decision could be flipped.

On the surface, adding a player who can bring some pop to your lineup makes sense but is Sheffield really a good fit for the Mets? Sheff is never above bitching about his role and considering the Mets already have a pretty crowded outfield as it is, will he start to complain about his playing time?

I think GM Omar Minaya is doing his due diligence to explore every option available. But adding a often cranky 40-year old outfielder with declining defensive skills (that’s putting it nicely) and a long injury history might not be worth it in the end.