Sheets watch (closed in deference to new thread)

[Invader3K]

Ben needs the Brewers

Based on what?

[strawbossisevil]

Yeah, no offense bklyn, but that makes no sense. Like many have pointed out over and over, Ben doesn't seem to want to be a Brewer. He is looking to move on, and I don't see how we can change that about him.

[Invader3K]

Yeah, no offense bklyn, but that makes no sense. Like many have pointed out over and over, Ben doesn't seem to want to be a Brewer. He is looking to move on, and I don't see how we can change that about him.

Yeah, but you never know, maybe posting about Melvin needing to get Sheets back to the Brewers ad nauseum will somehow help?

[fondybrewfan]

TH has a new Sheets posting up basically saying that their is pretty much no market for Sheets right now unless the Rangers can unload Millwood or Padilla. If Sheets is still looking for a job in mid January I wouldn't be all that suprised if Ben inquired with Melvin about a contract. Of course if Melvin picks up a somewhat expensive starter before than you can probably eliminate any kind of Sheets to Brewers speculation.

 

Based on how this offseason has progressed thus far, Sheets might now be wishing that he accepted arby.

[RyDogg66]

It is frustrating that Melvin is not considering Sheets as an option.

[chuckiehacks]

I think Melvin wants to avoid being the only one out there with an offer for Sheets, which ultimately means he's over bidding (against no one). Imagine if Melvin had offered the 4/60 proposed earlier in this thread.

 

I think Sheets will stay out there, and the Brewers will get involved when Sheets realizes that that 2/25 (or maybe even 1/12) is the best he's going to do.

[Fear The Chorizo]

It is frustrating that Melvin is not considering Sheets as an option

 

Isn't it also possible that teams are spot on when looking at Sheets' injury history and saying no thanks to long term deals? If the Yankees, who are essentially they only team throwing crazy money at pitching this offseason (and with plenty more to throw) want no part of Sheets and a multi-year deal, his injury report reads probably a lot scarier than what many on this board think.

 

I wish nothing but the best for Sheets, but I'll stand by my position that we got the best years of Sheets' career while he was a Brewer - the unfortunate break for him was that while he was at his best, the Brewers flat out stunk. Having a pitcher of Sheets' caliber in your organization for 9-10 years is saying alot for a small market team.

 

Pitching is still at such a premium across baseball, even if teams are worried about shelling out money this offseason - the fact that Sheets has been a free agent for over a month, through the winter meetings, and still hasn't gotten a multiyear deal leads me to think teams view him as damaged goods. Medical reports are one thing - has he thrown for anyone to show his injury at the end of this last season is fine now?

[mkesportscom]

Even prior to the start of free agency, baseball insiders speculated the market would be cold and there would be a lot of bargains come late January. Maybe Melvin is just keeping his cards close to his vest and will offer Sheets a one year deal in late January if he's still out there.

[Dmiles23]

Yeah, no offense bklyn, but that makes no sense. Like many have pointed out over and over, Ben doesn't seem to want to be a Brewer. He is looking to move on, and I don't see how we can change that about him.

That doesn't mean Sheets doesn't need the Brewers. Have you heard any other teams looking into him besides Texas and the Yankees? Now that the Yankees have pulled out, that's bad news for Sheets. Even if he has not intention of returning to the Brewers, I'm sure he would still love the Brewers to jump in on the bidding and possibly driving his price up. If Texas is the only one bidding, he may be in for trouble.

[Fatter than Joey]

It is frustrating that Melvin is not considering Sheets as an option.

 

I keep thinking something bad happened between DM and BS. It seems like both parties would benefit from a 1 year deal -- yet they seem miles apart.

[RyDogg66]

If there is no market for Ben, then why not go with the 1 yr or 2 yr route for 12-14 million a year.

[Fatter than Joey]

yeah -- that's where I keep getting hung up -- maybe they burned their bridges with each other -- at least at this point in the off-season.

[kramnoj]

It seems like both parties would benefit from a 1 year deal -- yet they seem miles apart.

 

Melvin agrees with you, that's why he offered one. I think Melvin would still offer a one year deal, but he needs to let Sheets market fall to a one year deal before offering one, otherwise there is no point in starting a negotiation.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I'm surprised Atlanta hasn't gotten involved since they are looking for pitching and they seem to fit well for Sheets. They must be scared of the random injuries like everyone else.

[kramnoj]

It's possible Atlanta may be involved now that Furcal has signed elsewhere. They started off trying to get Burnett, then focused on Furcal. Looks like they have enough money to spend, so it's just a question of who their next target is.

 

Edit:

Probably for the comp. picks.

 

That was certainly a possible benefit, but he had to be willing to take the risk that Sheets would accept. At this point, Melvin probably prefers that Sheets sign elsewhere so that they get the benefit of those picks, but it may well be that the best money that Melvin can spend for this year is to bring Sheets back for one year.

[Fatter than Joey]

Melvin agrees with you, that's why he offered one

 

Probably for the comp. picks.

[Invader3K]

Offering him arbitration was a very low risk move. Even if he got injured again and was out most of the year, they would have only been out, what? 14 or 15 million at most? Then, worse case, they miss the playoffs, Sheets is gone, and the fans all blame Sheets "not earning his money." If he stays healthy and pitches well, then he's worth it, and they would still get a couple draft picks the year after (if I understand correctly). Basically a no brainer, as has been pointed out before.

[alorrigan]

I think Melvin wants to avoid being the only one out there with an offer for Sheets, which ultimately means he's over bidding (against no one).

If Melvin give's him a fair offer and no one else gives him an offer how is he overbidding? Say we offer Sheets 1 year and $12 mil. and he says I'll wait for other offers. I think that would give us an idea of what he really is worth. If the Yankees or the Mets come in with a huge offer right away we know we won't want to mess with that and can move on. If no one gives him an offer I think Ben would realize that a 1 year deal to prove he's healthy is probably the best thing for him.

[twobrewers]

If Sheets were currently throwing with no pain at full speed - he would already be signed. (In my opinion)

 

I think the biggest concern isn't his injury history (See: Burnett) - but rather his current injury.

 

I suspect he has significant rehabilitation before he can pitch. Maybe Sheets was hoping some team wouldn't mind him missing the first month of the season and offer him a long term contract.

[kramnoj]

Maybe Sheets was hoping some team wouldn't mind him missing the first month of the season and offer him a long term contract.

 

Is this being reported as likely? I thought he tore a forearm muscle and that he was expected to fully recover and be ready for 2009 with no current complications.

[twobrewers]

Is this being reported as likely? I thought he tore a forearm muscle and that he was expected to fully recover and be ready for 2009 with no current complications.

Sorry about the confusion. After rereading my post - I certainly give that impression. I haven't heard anywhere that Sheets' injury would hamper him from pitching in 2009.

 

My point was that if he was currently 100% healthy and ready to pitch, I think teams would be ready to sign him. Since he hasn't been signed, I assume that he still has a ways to go before he is ready to pitch. (Possibly meaning that he might miss some of 2009 on his current injury)

[Ennder]

"Ken Rosenthal reports that a source familiar with Andy Pettitte's thinking said it's "virtually inevitable" that he will reach an agreement with the Yankees."

 

That is good news on the Sheets front. If they sign Pettitte I don't think they would go after Sheets too.

[PeaveyFury]

That is good news on the Sheets front. If they sign Pettitte I don't think they would go after Sheets too.

 

I don't think they even can if they sign Pettitte because of the restrictions on the number of A free agents they can sign.

[rluzinski]

(Possibly meaning that he might miss some of 2009 on his current injury

 

... but he declined $12+ mil guaranteed in arbitration? I'll be happy to put a couple of bucks against that theory. I'll even give you 2:1 odds. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[DHonks]

Has anyone ever heard of a pitcher tearing two muscles that deal with the throwing motion? I wonder if this is some genetic issue, as he now has 2 torn muscles, tendinitis, torn finger tissue, vertigo, etc.