Corine Gatti of AHN has some new information about former Brewers ace, Ben Sheets.
Sheets’ agent Casey Close said that his client is returning.
“We have already heard from a number of teams inquiring about Ben’s health and availability for 2010,” Close told ESPN.com Friday. “I will tell you that he has a very good chance to be one of the most impactful free agents, without question.”
The New York Yankees, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers are some of the organizations reportedly interested in Sheets.
Sheets underwent surgery on his right elbow in February after a failed attempt to latch on with a team as a free agent. The Mets were not one of the teams pursuing him at the time.
The recovery time for this type of surgery is between 10-12 months and it would appear that Sheets could be ready in time for spring training.
In 2008, while with the Brewers, Sheets finished the season with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He allowed 181 hits and struck out 158 batters in 198 innings pitched.
I have no problem with the Mets trying to acquire the former All Star pitcher, but only after they first bolster their rotation with either John Lackey or Roy Halladay.
The 31 year old Sheets, could end up being a great low-risk/high-reward type player and may be worth a flyer for the back of the rotation.
do I hear a deal loaded with financial incentives?
oh u could bet on it, probably with a vested option for the year after as well.
Hojo, I’m glad you’ve gone on such a tear with your blogs during the hot stove. While I don’t always agree with all of your viewpoints I must say your writing is strong enough where I read through your pieces thoughtfuly and at the very least comprehend your end of the argument. kudos. As far as Sheets is concerned, I’m all for it. Granted he;s healthy.
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.
Yeah, the Mets will be interested in Sheets if:
1) Salary demands aren’t too great.
2) No other team is interested in signing him as the Mets will not get into a negotiations battle.
3) The Mets medical staff clears Sheets as healthy?????????????????????
Does the name Vladimir Guerrero ring a bell???
You say do you remember Vlad he’s only been a really really good player for years… God forbid he has balky knees at his age and he still hits bombs… Ya the Mets staff said say away and look where that got us.. He has a ring and MVP titles and we have well we know what we have..
To me signing Sheets would be akin to buying a high risk speculatve stock on the hopes of big return for a small price. I would be all for it, if the price is held down by significant incentives in the deal and if it is approached as a supplement to the offseason signings strategy and not as its major element. That means Sheets is fine as an add to the staff behind a signing of Halladay or Lackey as the primary staff upgrade. Omar will have his head on the block if we go into the season with Sheets as the top addition to the pitching staff. If it’s affordable, go for Halladay or Lackey plus Wolf and Sheets. Then you have a staff of Santana, Halladay or Lackey, Wolf, Sheets, Pelfrey with Maine in the Pen. If you improve the staff that much, I would back off on spending $ for offense by leaving Murphy in place at 1B to wait for Ike Davis to return, sign a cheap oldie to catch until Thole is ready and concentrate on the LF position for the addition of power to the lineup. With a vastly improved pitching staff, you may actually be able to capture value from your Pitchers Park and have reduced need to protect the pitchers with offense. In that scenario you concentrate heavily upon adding value in the LF position this year and look for more offense over time as Davis and Thole come on board by late 2010 or 2011.
Sorry, meant to say wait for Ike Davis to develop, not return as he’s never been here. Just got too used to waiting for Mets players to return last year LOL.
MASK, MY ONE ISSUE WITH YOUR SCENERIO IS THAT HISTORICALLY NO LONGSHOT GAMBLE SUCH AS SHEETS HAS EVER PAID OFF IN FLUSHING REHARDLESS OF VENUE SINCE 81G ARE NOT PLAYED IN EXPANSIVE ACREAGE & 81 ARE, MY BIIGGEST ISSUE IS WITH WOLF OVER MARQUIS. IF WOLF REALY HAD NO HIDDEN ISSUES HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN PHL,LAD,SD,HOU,LAD ALL SIBCE ’06 FOR A SUPPOSEDLY EFFECTIVE SP ESP A LH ONE. AREN’T SPs HIGHLY VALUED? DOESN’T LA,SD & HOU ALL HAVE FAIRLY STRONG PITCHING EVALUATION REPUTATIONS? YET NONE SAW FIT TO LOCK & LOAD WOLF? WHY? I PREFER MARQUIS CERTAINLY FOR WHAT WE KNOW & RECENTLY FOUND OUT VIA FRENCHY ABOUT HIS “WARRIOR OUTLOOK” & NYM PREFERENCE. WOLF MAY BE A LAMB IN WOLF’S MAKEUP OR WORSE, THE BACK OF HIS IMPRESSIVE CARD MAY BE HIDING UNFIXABLE WARTS NO MAKEUP CAN CAMOFLAUGE. SHEETS, TO ME, SHOULD BE COUNTED ON AS NO MORE THAN THIS YR’S REDDING,DUQUE. WOLF, IS A MUCH BIGGER QUESTION MARK IN MY ESTIMATION, WITH BETTER OPTIONS OF PINIERO, MARQUIS TO CHOOSE FROM IF A BACKENDING CHANGE SHOULD MAINE &/OR PELF BE DEALT FOR A “BIG MUST HAVE” LIKE PRINCE OR ‘DOC’. U NEGLECTED TO CONSIDER OLLIE’S PRESSENCE. HIS CONTRACT DICTATES INCLUSION IF U’VE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION.
62, You’re reading too much into my post. If you read it carefully, you would see I stated that obtaining Sheets should not be a major aspect of the Mets offseason positioning. In fact, I stated that Omar should have his head handed to him if Sheets was presented as the Mets major pitching acquisition. I also stated that they should go after Sheets only if they acquire a better starter such as Lackey or Halladay. Why did I state all those things? Simply beccause of Sheets’ injury history and those kinds of acquisitions generally do not work out (as you noted). My post was a reply to the article stating that I would concur with the acquisition of Sheets only under certain conditions. I brought Wolf into the discussion because he has been featured on the blog recently. I was simply following up on the recent discussions. Aside from leaving Ollie out of the dscussion (which you have discovered I addressed further below in another post), my suggestion shows some promise regarding a means to bring in Sheets to the Mets while minimizing risk. That was the objective of my post. If he is able to regain form, Sheets can be a valuable pickup as long as the price is controlled.
Regarding Wolf, you are overstating the risks based on no evidence. You continue to harp on questions regarding Wolf, that no one else sees. You are fantasizing over these risks, in my opinion, and building a mountain out of a mole hill. Wolf can be a key acquisition for the Mets as long as they do more than that to upgrade pitching. Stick to the record of his actual performance and stop turning over rocks looking for a hidden snake.
Regarding Marquis or Pineiro, I have no problem with those acquisitions as alternatives as long as the Mets do not engage in exessive biding for them. I believe one of either Lackey or Halladay is still the prime priority.
As they say in Texas Holdem, I’m all in. We really need to resolve our catching situation so that we can entice the pitchers we want. Money alone may not be enough for these guys.
I’m not sure signing pitchers returning from surgery is the right way to go.
I agree 100 percent with what you said at the end. I have no problem bringing in Sheets for a one year deal as long as the Mets dont think he is the answer. It would help but, they are still going to need a solid number 2 starter. I mean lets face it, even when he was in his prime it was only a matter of time before he went on the DL.
I love the Hot Stove,MMM.How about this lets sign Sheets,that would be swell fellas.Santana is coming of surgury tooo.Wow we could have a stellar rotation.
Santana-Sheets-Bedard-Harden and Ollie.
We should sign Nady to play left.
The Mets are thinking about bringing back Delgado,we could have an all DL team.That would be fantastic.Go Omar You the Man
Of course the Mets would be interested in Sheets. He’s an injury risk!! While they’re at it, sign Brad Penny as well. Two starters who are perfectly capable of missing 25 starts in 2010 would be a perfect fit for these Mets! Let’s also sign the aging Vlad Guerrero to play left field. He might be the new Moises Alou (2008 version). Plus, re-sign a 1B who played 26 games for us in 2009 and this team would be perfect!
Sorry for the sarcasm, but these are the things I expect as a disillusioned and bitter Mets fan these days given the recent history of the team’s front office.
**BREAKING NEWS ALERT**
This just in: Eric Gagne wants to make a comeback in 2010. Is willing to take a Minor League contract. Mets set to offer Gagne a 3 year, $25 million deal to replace Putz as K-Rod’s set up man.
MLB trade rumors reported Gagne’s comeback and willingness to pitch in the minors. The Mets stuff is just a joke……….I think.
LOL!
great ideas, maskman, but something is missing. oliver perez. if we had a rotation as you described it, that would mean one of a few things: a. somebody actually took him off our hands b. he retired or c. we cut him. nothing likely there. otherwise, he IS a $12,000,000 part of our rotation. hope is that his 2010 winter workout ethic attendance at the Athletes Performance Institute, some kind of boot camp for wayward pitchers, will pay off next year.
Scott, You’re right, I just dismissed Ollie as worthless because in my mind I have relegated him to Country Club status, away on permanent leave leading the good life while everyone else has to work for a living. He does hang over this team as a dead weight, doesn’t he? It will prove interesting as to what happens to him in 2010. Will he contribute anything to earn a little bit of the largesse he will be receiving? Amazing that we have 2 yrs to go with that load! Imagine having a $12M long reliever as a mop-up man! WOW!
MASK, PERHAPS U SHOULD TRY ACTUALLY ROOTING FOR OLLIE TO IMPTOVE/SUCCEED ala CASTILLO. HIS MAY, HOPFULLY, END UP BEING A HUGE BARGAIN DEAL WHEN VIEWED ALONGSIDE LOWE’S SIMILARLY REDICULOUS ALBATROSS, AS ATLANTA NOW IS DESPERATE TO UNLOAD HIM NOW THEIR KEEP- AWAY STRATEGY WORKED. FORTUNATLY, OMAR DID.’T ‘TAKE THE BAIT’ OFFERRING LOWE MORE THAN 4/60 ala NYY AS MANY WANTED, UNFORTUNATLY JEFFIE LISTENS TO THE WFAN MOB AS HIS PRIMARY IMPETUS FOR DECISIONS. WE’RE IN VERY DEEP TROUBLE IF HE HAS IN FACT EMASCULATED OMAR. UNTIL 2010 IS COMPLETE I BELIEVE YOU CAN’T FAIRLY EVALUATE THE OLLIE DEAL. OLLIE TRULY HAS BUT ONE TRUE PROBLEM, ie THROWING CONSISTANT STRIKES. IN GAMES WHERE HE HAS ISSUED 3 OR LESS BB HE DOMINATES & USUALLY VICTORIOUS. WARTHEN’S FOCUS MUST BE ONLY LASERED IN ON THAT. U & I CERTAINLY HAVE GONE MANO Y MANO ON OLLIE; BUT IT ISN’T COINCIDENTAL THAT ATL, PHL & NYY HAVE STRUGGLED MORE THAN SUCCEEDED ASGAINST HIM. ONE SET OF ALMOST IDENTICAL QUOTES I REMEMBER FROM ’07 SEASON CAME OUT OF JONES’ BOYS IN ATL BOTH DESCRIBING ABs Vs OLLIE AS “EXCEEDINGLY UNCOMFORTABLE”, WHEN ASKED BY BRAVOS ANNOUNCERS. NOW DAN “THE MAN” HAS TO CULTIVATE & ENHANCE THAT APPROACH, IF SO, WHAT A BARGAIN WE MAY HAVE. IF NOT, A TRUE BUST YOU CAN HONESTLY RANT ALL OVER WITHOUT A TROUBLESOME WORD FROM ME. LETS GO METS! LETS GO OLLIE! LETS GO METS!
62, There is nothing better I would like to see in 2010 than a renewed Ollie who is capable of pitching at a level commensurate with his contract. Unfortunately, his 2009 performance (or lack therof) has left me with little hope of that. Consequently, I have written Ollie off in my mind and have relegated him to Country Club status as a freeloader for another 2 yrs. I hope that I am wrong on that. If Ollie’s real problem was his knee, I would buy in to his potential resurgence. However, I think the knee was secondary and the real problem is in his head. That’s just my thinking and I could very well be wrong. If the problem is in his head, it may not get straightened out. If it is his knee, then there is hope that he can get his timing back and be effective. I truly hope that is the case.
In any event, I think the Mets need to adopt a strategy that accounts for a continuing ineffective Ollie. That means planning for a rotation without him, such as Santana, Halladay, Wolf, Sheets, Pelfrey (you can substitute Marquis or Pineiro if you wish for Wolf or Sheets). That means that Ollie becomes the mop-up man as the long reliever, which is a pretty expensive long reliever. Until Ollie demonstrates that he is capable of starting effectively, I believe that is the role the Mets need to assign to him, and I have seen articles that they are considering that very thing. In the meantime, if the Mets can sign 3 starters for this rotation, I belieeve they should do it and plan on both Maine and Ollie in the pen to start the season. If things turn out differently and Ollie demonstrates he can pitch effectively in NY, then make an adjustment and make Sheets the set-up man.
The bottom line is that the Mets need to make every effort to get starting pitching for this team.
I’ve written off Ollie myself. I no longer feel that he will ever rise to the level of success he enjoyed in 2007. It’s hard to say this about one so young, but he peaked in that season and it’s all down hill since.
Joe, Glad to see that I’m not alone regarding Ollie.
Ollie looks so much to me like Al Leiter at the end of his career, trying to hit the inside corner on right handed batters but unable to do it consistently. The result is tons of walks (just part of the game according to Ollie indicating the problem is in his head) and blown up innings. It is really hard to have confidence in him. With Ollie, I believe, the Mets need to find a strategy to deal with failure or we are headed for another very long season. We shall see whether Warthen is up to the task of turning him around. This will make for an interesting topic during the 2010 season.
I like the idea of putting Maine in the pen.I think with the style he pitches and amount of pitches per inning he needs to only pitch 1 inning at a time.
Yes, with his weak shoulder problem, 1 inning at a time may be a better approach for him. As a starter, he runs out of steam before getting in his 5 innings for the W with high pitch counts. On the other hand, as a reliever, he may be very effective.
I also agree with moving Maine to the bullpen. Not only will he be able to thrive with his above average 4 and 2 seam fastballs, but his changeup and curve would make him a formidable weapon and a solid setup man. The only problem I see is that he might get 5 million in arbitration, and going by the Mets thinking in the past, I doubt they will shuffle him to the bullpen even though it’s the best place for him.
Hopefully Omar and Jerry see that too/?? Maine can just rear back and throw harder,knowing he doesn’t have too save himself,or hold back.