Ben Sheets (Was Sheets Signs with A's)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I drove by the field a few minutes ago and it either was over or about to be over with, so I didn't stay and hurried back to work before I was missed.

 

There were quite a few cars in the parking lot, and many of those appeared to be rentals.

 

We should be getting some final reports soon. I've texted a friend of mine who knows Ben and I'll see if he can get me any information on whether anything is close.

[Clem Fandango]

http://bases.nbcsports.com/2010/01/ben-sheets-is-going-to-make-a-lot-of-money.html.php

 

We're getting some partial scouting reports from Ben Sheets workout down in Louisiana today, courtesy of a series of tweets from Trenni Kusnierek of the MLB Network. (

)

 

The summary: there were about 20 scouts watching Sheets. He started a bit erratically, hitting 88-90 on the gun and sometimes missing his spots, but then got comfortable and started humming it in more consistently, topping out at 91. After a second round including some breaking pitches, a scout told Kusnierek that Sheets looked good: "Good mechanics. Great shape. Is way ahead of where he'd be velocity wise at [the beginning of a] normal spring."

 

That sound you hear is about a half dozen teams calling Sheets' agent offering him something like $8 million plus incentives or options or whatever.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[CUBZ99]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

 

Great photo.

[Backtobanks]

I don't think the Cubs can afford Sheets, no matter what happens today. If he's willing to sign a reasonable base/high incentive contract, a dozen teams would jump on that. There are too many teams more desperate than the Cubs for starters so some GM will pay more than he should for Sheets. Unless there's some other reason (he wants to play for the Cubs, he wants to stay in the NL Central, etc.), I can't see him coming here.

 

i think the cubs could afford sheets, but his asking price is way too high, especially after coming off of a surgery to the body part where he makes his money and being away from the game for a year.

 

i'd be willing to listen to a 1/6-7 heavy on incentives but 2/14-15 is too risky. but then again if he wants that money we have the gm foolish enough to give him more than he asked for, along with a ntc.

 

 

I guarantee that if you think he's worth 1/6-7 heavy on incentives, somebody will give him 2/14-15.

[Soul]

Yeah, this "Cubs have all but signed him" business is a lot of hooey. He's tossing 90+ MPH; there are more teams than the Cubs who will be in the running, and I really doubt our offer would come in tops dollar-wise. But we'll see.

[haubrich91]

Next few days should be interesting.

 

It's good to see him pitching near to what he's able to though.

[Keener98]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

[CUBZ99]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

Yes, that is quite the wish list for a guy that hasn't pitched in a while and has a lengthy history of injuries. I can't see any team willing to go that high.

[haubrich91]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

Lol, does he want to be on the Yankees?

[Soul]

Next few days should be interesting.

 

It's good to see him pitching near to what he's able to though.

 

Well -- it's only good if he signs with the Cubs :)

[Old Style]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

What hat is he wearing? And did he get the same skin treatment that Sammy Sosa did on his right arm?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

A local article on his outing.

 

Link

[Rob]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

What hat is he wearing? And did he get the same skin treatment that Sammy Sosa did on his right arm?

 

That's a sleeve.

[SouthSideRyan]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

What hat is he wearing? And did he get the same skin treatment that Sammy Sosa did on his right arm?

 

That's a sleeve.

 

No, it is a hat.

[Rob]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

What hat is he wearing? And did he get the same skin treatment that Sammy Sosa did on his right arm?

 

That's a sleeve.

 

No, it is a hat.

 

Oh... I was WAY off.

[Backtobanks]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

$6-$7 million with another 3-4 in incentives and a mutual option on a second year sounds about right to me.

[javy knows my name]

Link

 

http://cmsimg.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DI&Date=20100119&Category=UPDATES02&ArtNo=100119021&Ref=AR&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

What hat is he wearing? And did he get the same skin treatment that Sammy Sosa did on his right arm?

Hahahahah

 

Yes, but only up to the wrist

[Keener98]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

$6-$7 million with another 3-4 in incentives and a mutual option on a second year sounds about right to me.

 

Sounds to me he wants 10mil guaranteed plus incentives

[erik316wttn]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

$6-$7 million with another 3-4 in incentives and a mutual option on a second year sounds about right to me.

 

Sounds to me he wants 10mil guaranteed plus incentives

 

For 2 years I'd sign him right now. If that's per year, which it is, no thanks.

[sweetpeteman]

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone hears Ben Sheets will seek "at least $10 million, plus lots of incentives, and a second-year, player-controlled option."

 

Ha good luck with that Ben.

 

$6-$7 million with another 3-4 in incentives and a mutual option on a second year sounds about right to me.

 

Sounds to me he wants 10mil guaranteed plus incentives

 

 

What he wants and what will be offered will be very different. He will probably sign for something like 8/1 + incentives + a mutual option. There is no way, unless some really stupid, desperate team (Mets) does it, that he will get 10+ and a player option.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I may be in the minority, but I don't have a problem offering Sheets a deal that guarantees him 10 million. Maybe the money isn't there, but if it is, there really isn't much else on the FA market worth spending it on and if Sheets is healthy, he's a damn good pitcher.

 

I would offer him something like this- 8 million base for 2010. Include up to 4 million in incentives based on starts. 1 million if he makes 20 starts, another million at 24 starts, another at 26, and a final million at 30 starts...or something like that. In addition, I'd give him a 12 million option for 2011 that becomes guaranteed at 25 starts in 2010. There would be a 2 million buy-out on that option.

 

This contract would guarantee him 1/10 (base + buyout) and if he is completely healty, it's a 2/24 deal which could be a steal for a pitcher of Sheets caliber.

 

I don't know if the Cubs could fit such a deal in the budget, but I think it is worth the risk.

[davell]

I would take Bedard over Sheets, assuming Sheets wants more money than Bedard does. I may would take Bedard over Sheets with all things being equal actually.

[champaignchris]

Again, I don't understand why you let Harden walk if you're going to turn around and pay Sheets $10M for one year. Harden signed for $7.5M for one year with the Rangers.

 

I understand not offering arbitration to Harden if you're not going to spend the money, or if you're going to spend the money on something obviously better or at a different position.

 

However, signing Sheets cheaper than what it would have cost to keep Harden makes perfect sense.

[dew1679666265]

I would take Bedard over Sheets, assuming Sheets wants more money than Bedard does. I may would take Bedard over Sheets with all things being equal actually.

 

I've wondered that myself. If Sheets is demanding $10 million for one year and Bedard is willing to take less, I'd be more for Bedard myself.