…no, we’re not talking about the traditional garb of Red Sox fans. We’re talking about Ben Sheets. He’s attempting a comeback, and apparently auditioned last week for four teams, including the Yankees.
Cashman should be all in on this guy. He’s obviously a huge risk — he’s been out of baseball since 2010 and has the health record of 60-year old hooker in Bangkok. But that risk is going to mean his price will be incredibly cheap relative to his upside. No one thinks he’s going to revert to his 2004 self — though it’s notable that he had such a season, a level which few other pitchers in history have achieved (2.76 xFIP over 237 IP, 8.0 WAR, 62 xFIP-). His last mostly healthy season was 2008, where he put up a 3.88 xFIP over 198 innings. If he’s healthy, he’s a solidly above average pitcher with an intriguing and demonstrable upside. Obviously, it’s a huge if.
Can he come back effective at this point? After all, this is a once great pitcher that has been beaten down by injury, is now 33, and who we last saw putting up a nothing-to-write-home about 4.27 xFIP (102 xFIP-) in 2010.
There is a very recent precedence. Johan Santana, a once great pitcher, is now 33. He missed all of 2011 after undergoing surgery on his throwing arm, and is currently having an ace level season that would be a nice addition to any team in MLB.
Sheets could possibly add another dominant arm to the Yankees bullpen, which will be huge come playoff time. He might also serve as a pretty good insurance plan should one of the Yankees’ starters succumb to injury.
Why not?
16 Comments
rob balis June 17, 2012 13:33
to pitch him out of the bullpen? ughhh lol
Kevin S. June 17, 2012 13:52
Can’t see Sheets accepting a bullpen role if there are teams willing to give him a starting gig.
Brian S. June 17, 2012 13:58
I like him.
Mark Prior June 17, 2012 15:13
What about me?
Brett Pedroia June 17, 2012 15:20
Did you say BANGCOCK?
Ben Sheets June 17, 2012 18:14
I’ve pitched in 20 games over the last 3 years.
I need to get paid TODAY!!
Click me June 17, 2012 22:59
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc
rough truth June 17, 2012 23:15
This is hilarious. Ben Sheets is a joke.
Randy Levine June 18, 2012 00:11
Why not trade for Johan instead?
Duh June 18, 2012 09:44
Where exactly do we see a fit here? We’ve got five starters, and they are all doing well. We’ve got a solid bullpen as it is, with Robertson coming back soon and for what it’s worth, Joba coming back at some point. Really, the only role I see is replacing Garcia. I just don’t get this. Insurance? Okay, sure, but I don’t see a guy like this wanting to do anything other than start, and there’s more than one club that will give him that opportunity.
Keyboard Hero June 18, 2012 10:36
Roberston pitched friday, he’s back FYI
Duh June 19, 2012 14:07
My bad … I meant “back to form” soon, assuming it’s going to take a few games to get back into game shape.
Joeybagonuts June 18, 2012 22:36
Do you think Sheets is ready to slot in to a big league rotation tomorrow, Duh?
Or do you think the suggestion here is that NY take a chance on him and maybe he gets some action next year? You can never have too much pitching.
Duh June 19, 2012 14:09
I don’t think Sheets is ready now, no, nor do I see a need for him. No, you can never have too much pitching, but c’mon … you can’t bring a guy like that in and expect him to produce if he’s only used twice a week in a relief role. As for next year? Honestly? If he was five years younger, sure you can take a flyer on him, but I’m really not all that worried about next year right now. We’ve already got a big question mark with Pineda next year.
Joe Páwlikowski June 19, 2012 14:24
He’s a cutie pa tootie. Sign Joe Pawl up. ASAP.
Pingback: Sheets | Yanks in Exile