TAMPA – George Steinbrenner is taking an interest in Gary Sheffield.

There are no meetings planned at the moment, but Steinbrenner indicated he’d try to give Sheffield what he wants financially, the Boss told reporters yesterday afternoon.

“We’ll be working on something there to see if we can get him settled down,” Steinbrenner said, confirming the Post’s exclusive on Monday.

Sheffield was disgruntled because he’s not getting interest on the $13.5 million in deferrals on his three-year pact. The two met last weekend and healed the rift.

Why is Steinbrenner agreeable to reopening the contract? He likes Sheffield’s personality and performance. Sheffield played the bulk of last season with a painful left shoulder injury and still finished second in the MVP voting.

Sheffield and Steinbrenner appear to have something beyond the usual employee-Boss relationship.

“I’m willing to always talk with him,” Steinbrenner said. “He’s a good man.

“He’s a local guy, and he’s a good guy.”

Rufus Williams, Sheffield’s business advisor, said he appreciated Steinbrenner’s comments but again declined to discuss contract issues.

Steinbrenner wasn’t saying Sheffield would definitely get his interest.

“We’ll just have to see,” he said. “I’m not going to say any more (about it).”

Asked if any meetings were scheduled, he answered, “Not right now. But we’ll be talking about something.”

Sheffield’s day was over before reporters were allowed in the clubhouse yesterday morning. He is not expected to play before Sunday because he’s still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.