Ben Sheets is available...

[Nottso]

I was just glancing at this and Sheets is ranked as #100 out of 111 free agents available this year? I feel kinda bad for those 11 other guys.

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/08/an-updated-look-at-whats-left-in-free-agency/

 

100. Ben Sheets (N/A)

101. Ronny Cedeno (Pirates)

102. Lyle Overbay (D-backs): D-backs – 1 year, $1 million

103. Juan Cruz (Rays)

104. Aaron Cook (Rockies)

105. Reed Johnson (Cubs)

106. Guillermo Mota (Giants)

107. Ivan Rodriguez (Nationals)

108. Zach Duke (D-backs)

109. Dan Wheeler (Red Sox)

110. Mark DeRosa (Giants)

111. Chris Young (Mets)

[rluzinski]

I don't believe Ben Sheets is even trying to get back into baseball yet (if ever).

[Mr QL]

I thought I remember him retiring

[travisteck]

We should ask geoff jenkins what he's up to as well, melvin has yet to sign his "gamer" this year.

[KCBrewerfan34]

3 former Brewers on this monumental list http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[nate82]

Brewers to sign Sheets to replace Provus in 2012!

Not sure if that should be in blue or not?

[Invader3K]

Pretty sure Sheets has not officially retired, but since there hasn't been any news on him lately at all, you have to wonder if he isn't ready to pitch again this season.

[Bnowell4evr]

Sheets should go the Kerry Woods route and turn into a reliever.

[CheezWizHed]

3 former Brewers on this monumental list

 

And one possible future one (Mark DeRosa)

[DHonks]

Sheets had several major surgeries at once. I haven't seen anything in a while, but I would hope that he attempts to come back. He was such a pleasure to watch

[RockCoCougars]

After his last major rehab, I believe that Benny started throwing for teams in February. Since we haven't heard a word, I'm guessing that he probably won't be ready to attempt a comeback in spring training.

[BREWCREW5]

Who cares?

[craigharmann]

Last time I checked, Barry Bonds is available, as is Manny Ramirez and for the right price, Jose Canseco might consider returning.

[DHonks]

I think that for some of us, Ben Sheets not only represented the best pitcher in a Brewers uniform since Teddy Higuera, but there's also some remorse that he wasn't able to experience these better times. He was far better than Vogelsong, and he managed to put ineffective seasons and injuries behind him. I'd always give Ben a chance if he wants one.

[BREWCREW5]

I'd always give Ben a chance if he wants one.

Which is only one reason we are not major league GM's. You cannot let personal feelings interfere with what is best for the Brewers.

[DHonks]

wow, so baseball is so cut-throat that you can't take a chance with a recent Brewers' great on a minor league deal and camp invite? In the business world there's a human element, but to you there's no human element to baseball? We still don't even know if he's trying to come back, but don't the Brewers at least owe him--and the fans--a chance to attempt a comeback given how great he played for us for years?

[BREWCREW5]

wow, so baseball is so cut-throat that you can't take a chance with a recent Brewers' great on a minor league deal and camp invite? In the business world there's a human element, but to you there's no human element to baseball? We still don't even know if he's trying to come back, but don't the Brewers at least owe him--and the fans--a chance to attempt a comeback given how great he played for us for years?

1. Correct.

2. Correct.

3. Nope.

[brettac1]

There's no reason if he called and asked to come to camp that Melvin wouldn't bring him in. Remember Jeff Cirillo? He was coming off of three pathetic seasons and they let him come to camp.

 

It's not like there's any risk to it. It'd be one thing if he was getting guaranteed money, but he wouldn't be. I'm not saying anyone is "owed" anything, but it'd be pretty stupid to not let a talented player come to spring training with your team if he asked, even if he was coming off of injury. If it was a player that played his career elsewhere and had as much success as Sheets has had, I would certainly be thrilled to let him come in and see what he has left. Every season there are reclamation projects/guys coming off injury that have great years. I'm not saying Sheets would, but I think any team would let him try.

[prophet]

I agree with you guys that there is absolutely no reason not to give Ben an invite on a minor league deal. And anybody who says they shouldn't, should at least be able to form an argument that makes sense on why they shouldn't. The only argument would be that he has nothing left, but there is absolutely no risk involved to find out if he has anything left. You may not personally like Sheets, but, he stuck around here when we stunk and he knew that he was the only good pitcher and some years, the only good player on this team. I personally respect that.

[mothershipconnection]

I'm of the opinion that you give pretty much anyone who showed big-time talent semi-recently a camp invite, as there's nothing to lose. That said, the chances Sheets has anything left are really small.

[TheCrew]

Let's get higuera in here too, he's been away for a while but the move to the NL should help.

[DHonks]

bump...I wish I had the red-phone connection in Doug Melvin's office...for once my GM-cap made me look smart. Of course, my success rate as a GM-wanna be is somewhere around Ben Sheet's batting avg.

[TooLiveBrew]

Now hold on, DHonks. If you go by what Ben will tell you he can do at the plate, you're in some elite GM-wanna-be territory.

[DHonks]

I remember his two hit game at Coors, he joked that the wind held his ball up and proclaimed that it's a difficult place to bat

[TooLiveBrew]

Hah! I miss Ben Sheets: Awesome Interview almost as much as I do Ben Sheets: Pitcher.