The Yankees' search for a younger, quicker outfield led them to a tentative deal with the Mets that would've sent Gary Sheffield to Shea in exchange for Mike Cameron and Miguel Cairo, according to a major league executive who'd been briefed on the talks. It was the Yankees who initiated discussion during this past weekend's Subway Series, according to the source. Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Mets convinced GM Brian Cashman that Bernie Williams' rapid decline and the absence of a bona fide replacement would cost the Yankees any chance of getting to the postseason. The Mets are believed to be seriously interested in Sheffield, and are now waiting for the Yankees to make a formal offer. Mets officials were so convinced of the Yankees' desperation that, had the Bombers not rallied against Braden Looper in the ninth inning Sunday night, thus averting a sweep, Cashman might've pushed to make a deal as early as Monday. The Yankees' back-to-back wins Sunday and Monday diminished that urgency, but as the club's hierarchy was locked down in a five-hour meeting in Tampa on Tuesday, Cameron's name is believed to be still high on the Bombers' wish list. "[The Mets] still think the Yankees will come after Cameron," said the source. "He's exactly what they need."