Could Sheets Be an Option for the Cubs?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Jerry Crasnick speculates that if the Cubs lose out on getting Peavy and lose Dempster to another team, they could turn to Ben Sheets.

 

Link.

 

The Cubs could also be in the mix, but only if they fail to trade for Jake Peavy or lose Dempster through free agency -- or both. The Mets, Yankees, Orioles and Dodgers are among the other clubs in search of starting pitching. But two years after investing $47 million in Jason Schmidt, the Dodgers' risk tolerance isn't especially high.

 

The article speculates that Sheets may not get a long term deal due to his health issues, and Sheets has a littany of them. But when he's healthy, he's good.

 

From the article...

 

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Morry Gash

 

Despite pitching with a sore elbow down the stretch, Ben Sheets was 1-2 with a 3.33 ERA in five starts in September.

Sheets, 30, is one of the biggest talents on the open market this winter. He has a better career strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.85-to-1) than Johan Santana, Roy Oswalt and Roy Halladay, and a lower career WHIP (1.20) than Josh Beckett and Brandon Webb. He was also the starting pitcher for the National League at the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium in July.

 

The article erroneously says Sheets makes his offseason home in Dallas. Ben just built a house in the Frenchman's Bend subdivision here in Monroe and he and his wife have now moved their offseason home here.

 

I've heard from people around here that Sheets wants to pitch close to home and prefers to stay in the National League. Houston and Atlanta most fit that bill, but I agree with Crasnick that Maddux's presence on the Rangers' coaching staff could sway him to the Rangers. All that aside, if someone is willing to go with years and dollars, Sheets would probably take the financial security over pitching close to home.

 

All that said, if we could get Sheets on a reasonable 3 year deal maybe with some incentives and options, he would be an excellent pitcher. My biggest concern if we did sign Sheets is that our two best pitchers in Harden and Sheets could be hurt at any time.

 

Due to his time at UL-Monroe (then Northeast Louisiana), Ben is one of my favorite non-Cubs. For sentimental reasons, I'd love for him to pitch for the Cubs.

[UMFan83]

So Sheets would be the Kerry Wood to Rich Harden's Mark Prior?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So Sheets would be the Kerry Wood to Rich Harden's Mark Prior?

 

He's risky. But he nearly threw 200 innings last season.

[UMFan83]

So Sheets would be the Kerry Wood to Rich Harden's Mark Prior?

 

He's risky. But he nearly threw 200 innings last season.

 

And his arm almost fell off in September, giving the Brewers little to nothing down the stretch and in the playoffs.

[Cubswin11]

I really hope not he is such a injury risk and the last two seasons when the Brewers needed him the most down the stretch run he got hurt and couldn't pitch. Last year was a little more sever with the tear or pull or whatever in his elbow but in 2007 he had a sore hamstring or something minor like that and he didn't pitch for the last month and a half of the season and it brought a lot of question surrounding his desire to get out there. I want no part of Sheets.

[YearofDaCubs]

I'd take the risk on Sheets over Dempster but I probably wouldn't sign Sheets to more than a 3yr deal.

[David]

It's just one writer's speculation based on nothing other than the fact that we may lose out on Peavy and that Dempster may leave and that Sheets is an available pitcher. Why even bother talking about it?

 

Sure, we might have interest on any pitcher out there if we lose Dempster and don't get Peavy.

[UMFan83]

It's just one writer's speculation based on nothing other than the fact that we may lose out on Peavy and that Dempster may leave and that Sheets is an available pitcher. Why even bother talking about it?

 

Sure, we might have interest on any pitcher out there if we lose Dempster and don't get Peavy.

 

Why not? It's not like we have a game to talk about.

[David]

I guess. I just hate that others will run the wrong direction with something like this and be like "omgz could the Cubs be going after Sheets?" just because some writer said that they could wind up among a group of teams who COULD need to sign a starting pitcher.

 

It happens all the time....huge pet peeve of mine with this kind of stuff.

 

Think Phil Rogers or Sam Smith speculating that the Cubs or Bulls could or should be after someone (based on no actual information) and then the major outlets running with it as "Bulls after 'x player'?"

[UMFan83]

I guess. I just hate that others will run the wrong direction with something like this and be like "omgz could the Cubs be going after Sheets?" just because some writer said that they could wind up among a group of teams who COULD need to sign a starting pitcher.

 

It happens all the time....huge pet peeve of mine with this kind of stuff.

 

Think Phil Rogers or Sam Smith speculating that the Cubs or Bulls could or should be after someone (based on no actual information) and then the major outlets running with it as "Bulls after 'x player'?"

 

I can't wait for an article starting like this:

 

Imagine this: the ultimate Cubs starting rotation headed by Jake Peavy and followed by Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster and....Ben Sheets? Ted Lilly a 6th starter and long relief man? It could happen. Jerry Cransick....

[wade]

I think if the Cubs can't work a trade for Peavy and fail to resign Dempster they may try to get A.J. Burnett. :wink:

[shnsajax]

Someone will end up overpaying for him.

[CubinNY]

I think if the Cubs can't work a trade for Peavy and fail to resign Dempster they may try to get A.J. Burnett. :wink:

Lowe please.

[Backtobanks]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

[wade]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

[St.Paul Cub]

I'd take the risk on Sheets over Dempster but I probably wouldn't sign Sheets to more than a 3yr deal.

 

Agreed. Maybe a team option for the 4th based on incentives, but 3 would probably be it. He's risky, but at the same time isn't a bad fall back plan.

[wade]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

 

So, you're taking the over?

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

 

So, you're taking the over?

 

They're due!!

[17 Seconds]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

 

You mean a WHIP that high?

[SouthSideRyan]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

 

You mean a WHIP that high?

 

Oh...yeah. I'm an idiot.

[wade]

Harden + Sheets = 30 starts

 

I'll take the over.

 

What about under 1.25 WHIP on the two?

 

The last time either of them had a WHIP that low was 2004.

 

You mean a WHIP that high?

 

Oh...yeah. I'm an idiot.

 

So, you're taking the under? :D