The Detroit slugger shrugged off reports the Tigers had put him on waivers, a move that could lead to a trade.

“I don't pay attention to it – I've been on waivers plenty of times,” he said Wednesday. “I don't know why it is a big deal that I've been put on waivers. That's nothing new. Lots of great players are put on waivers but it is only a story when it is someone like Manny (Ramirez) or me – someone that people have an opinion about.”

Sheffield said he wasn't hoping or expecting to be traded.

“I haven't thought about anything other than being here,” he said.

His lawyer, Rufus Williams, confirmed Sheffield hasn't asked to be dealt.

“There was not a request to be traded,” Williams said. “I don't think anyone should read too much into this. We certainly are not.”

Sheffield homered twice on Tuesday, but is hitting just .223 with 12 homers in an injury-plagued season.

“There's a lot of guys that have hit .220 in this game – I won't be the first and I won't be the last,” he said. “But people are comparing to me to me, and they expect .300, 30 homers and 100 RBIs. I understand that.”