SHEETS: Worth the risk?
One scout told the MLB Network: “Good mechanics. Great shape. Is way ahead of where he’d be velocity wise at [the beginning of a] normal spring.”
The Mets, in need of rotation help, will compete with the Cubs, Rangers, Seattle and St. Louis, who are also said to be interested.
Initially, Sheets was after a one-year deal worth $12 million, but reportedly the market is at one year for $8 million and loaded with incentives.
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Who’s remaining in the free-agent pitching market isn’t good, and it seems as if the Mets are thinking who they currently have is better.
The Cubs want Ben Sheets and appear willing to spend the $12 million or so it would take to get him. He’s good when he’s healthy, worth the coin, but there’s no guarantees he’ll hold up. Ditto with Mark Mulder, who’s talking with Milwaukee.
The Mets waited for the market to come back to them on Joel Pineiro and the pricing might well have. So has the competition to get him: Los Angeles, St. Louis and Washington are linked to him as well as the Mets. Washington also has interest in Doug Davis. Can’t imagine the Nationals getting both, but what if?
That leaves us Jon Garland, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, John Smoltz, Mike Hampton (been there done that), and Chien-Ming Wang.
There are flaws with all of them, just there are flaws with the Mets rotation, which now has four arms, three of them coming off surgery (Santana, Perez, Maine). They’ll liable to get Garland as their No. 5 and call it an offseason.
At one time, Joel Pineiro was seeking three years at $10 million a season. One published report had the Mets in it for $15 million over two years – with an inevitable option – which is far more palatable. Considering Pineiro’s history – don’t forget, he’s only a handful of games over .500 for his career – this is a more realistic starting point.
Meanwhile, Ben Sheets, a reclamation project, is thinking about a one year deal for $12 million, with the Cubs interested. Sheets might turn out all right, but he might not, also, and he’s too big a risk for the Mets.
Good morning all. Hope this weekend is smiling on you.
It was fun last night. I didn’t expect that much talk on a Saturday night. It makes me feel good that people are responding to the blog. I can’t explain the Cubs. No curse. They just got waxed there was no bad luck. The series was decided with Game 2.
Off to get some breakfast. A veggie omelet. I like to put Tabasco and strawberry preserves on mine. I call it `sweet heat.’ Try it, you’ll like it.
Will spend much of the day sending out resumes and clips. This job hunting is a bear. Will have the playoffs and football on, and, of course, I’ll be monitoring on-line so feel free to drop a comment or two.
My NFL picks:
Chicago over Detroit
Green Bay over Atlanta
San Diego over Miami
NY Giants over Seattle
Philly over Washington
Carolina over KC
Baltimore over Tennessee
Indy over Houston
Denver over Tampa Bay
Dallas over Cincinnati
Arizona over Buffalo
NE over SF
NO over Minnesota
In the playoffs, I like the White Sox, Brewers and Red Sox.
Enjoy the morning. I’ll look for you this afternoon.
What's on your mind?
Talking playoffs.
What would they do if they ever won? Probably win again, just like the Red Sox did.
I’m watching the Rays-Sox. Tampa Bay losing in the second and Scott Kazmir is struggling. The Rays are the best story of the playoffs, but you can bet the networks hope it will be Boston and the Cubs. Two storied franchises playing in antique stadiums. They are salivating over the potential ratings already.
I’m watching, so if you want to chat, feel free.
With the Mets losing tonight, manager Jerry Manuel said Johan Santana would start Saturday against Florida on three days rest.
“I’m very concerned,” Manuel said. “We’ve put ourselves in a tough spot and we have nobody to blame for that but ourselves.”
Manuel said Santana told him he wanted to pitch on short rest on Thursday. Santana threw 125 pitches in his last start this week against the Cubs.
Should Sunday mean anything, Oliver Perez will pitch on three days rest in the season finale.
``Death by Bullpen''
However, right now Jerry Manuel has the luxury of using the expanded roster. That won’t be the case next week. He’ll need to pick a pitching staff. I think it will be 12 deep.
Here’s mine:
1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. Pedro Martinez
5. Aaron Heilman
6. Scott Schoeneweis
7. Pedro Feliciano
8. Joe Smith
9. Brian Stokes
10. Luis Ayala
11. Duaner Sanchez
12. Richard Rincon
