Sheets signs with A's
A's beat writer Mychael Urban reports that it's a done deal, press conference at 3 p.m. CST.
EDIT: Looks like it's for $10MM plus incentives. Will be interesting to see the full breakdown.
about 2 years ago
Jeff Sackmann
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Glad its not with the Cubs
but it strikes me as odd that Billy Beane would spend the kind of loot Sheets was reportedly looking for on a pitcher with huge durability issues.
…or does it?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 12:14 PM CST reply actions
sheeter
good luck benny. one of the few guys who’s been a brewer long enough to make it weird seeing him in a different uniform.
here’s to hoping the california weather and diet is less conducive to causing blisters and inner ear infections.
At least its not the Cubs
Good luck to him
"A D+ Grade? That must have been a Wittardo grade"- @73_MC
circle march 5!
the play in spring training! and i’ll be in town for march 11 (their game at maryvale). hopefully he gets an inning then, though i doubt it.
by Capt Science on Jan 26, 2010 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
For what it’s worth, though, Sheets was (emphasis on was) the kind of player Beane would be looking for. He doesn’t walk batters. Ever.
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 12:37 PM CST reply actions
And as for the injuries, well he held onto Crosby and Chavez for ages.
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 12:38 PM CST up reply actions
Isn't it more likely that he's hoping for a big half and a trade?
You KNOW Sheets is going to miss starts.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
Big first half, that should read
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 12:46 PM CST up reply actions
That's a convienent number.
He’s got fewer 200+ IP seasons than not.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
Any time you’re within 2 innings of a 200 IP season, I’d call it a full season…
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
That's a pretty exacting standard
when 162/5 = 32.4
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jan 26, 2010 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
32 Starts is a full year for a 3-5th starter
Sheets isn’t/wasn’t a 3-5th starter
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
so, in other words
if a guy misses a single start, he doesn’t qualify by your standard?
sheesh.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jan 26, 2010 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
Are you going to make a Sporcle quiz for that?
I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
It's probably a few more than 25
I think the list got cut off since I’m not at home. Still, we’re not talking a lot of guys.
I think I see where Mykenk is coming from...
He’s equating “full season” to “complete season”.
34+ starts is what you’d expect from a #1 pitcher who is able to pitch the entire season.
Perhaps 15-20 years ago
But when only 3 or 4 guys per year get to 34 starts now, it’s hard to expect that from a random team’s #1 pitcher.
Then I guess I’ll inform Halladay, Greinke, Lincecum, etc. that they didn’t have full seasons last year.
My point was that people talk about Sheets like he’s Rich Harden or somebody (who has pitched over 148 IP just once and never more than 189 IP) when in reality he was more durable than people remember during his time with the Brewers (and even in his injury-plagued seasons a 2-4 WAR pitcher, though that’s a different subject…)
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
Well, he was durable at the beginning of his career.
As he’s gotten older, it’s been a different story; he only averaged about 24 starts per year over the last four seasons (not including last year, of course).
Yes, we do. Yes, it is.
Haven’t heard anything about options though.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
I would guess so
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
Oakland is always a good place for a pitcher reclamation project…I can see Charlie Marlow’s scenario playing out. But like I said, Beane does hold on to injured players.
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 12:54 PM CST reply actions
I'm not trying to be contrarian
but I wouldn’t call $10M+incentives on a 1 year deal a ‘reclamation project’.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
It's a stretch
but for someone who is always a threat to contend for the Cy Young Award, $10MM on a one-year deal is as cheap as it gets.
There just aren’t very many precedents for guys like Sheets to be reclaimed (reclamated?) after missing a full year.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jan 26, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
reclamationed
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
reparations
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Jan 26, 2010 7:46 PM CST up reply actions
If he’s topping out at 91 mph though…these incentives are based on a past performance with 95-97 mph.
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 1:01 PM CST up reply actions
Incentives
More than likely they are based on appearances (starts) and awards (Cy Young, All-Star, MVP, etc.)… not really anything to do with his velocity.
I think those are related…
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 1:14 PM CST up reply actions
I think it is more related to his health than how fast his fastball is.
He can still be an effective pitcher with less zip on his fastball.
He's not topping out at 91mph.
Expecting him to be throwing at actual game speeds 4 months before the season starts is ridiculous. His velocity will be right where it’s always been
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
I thought it was
and you were just going with Sheets’ season starts later than everyone else.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
+1
91 at this point is a very good sign for Sheeter’s velocity. He’s farther removed from his injury than the other injury risk-type SPs, with more rehab time. Very good upside signing for the As. I’m glad he’s not on the Cubbies.
Except he is
When it comes to returning from injury (especially one of Sheets’ severity), you never assume he’ll return to full speed; hence the incentives…Helllloooooo, Francisco Lirianoooooo…
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
he might not return to full speed.
but assuming he’s at full speed now is irresponsible.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
because he just started throwing one month ago…
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 2:19 PM CST up reply actions
except that, he didn’t just start one month ago…
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe not, but if he was smart (and I'm not saying he is)...
… he’d make damn sure he’s not at full strength yet.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
Or, at least, if his agent is smart
Bettman's Nightmare: A Blog Where Hockey Aficionados Dismantle That Mighty Empire, One Balsillie at a Time
http://bettmansnightmare.blogspot.com/
by Bettman's Nightmare on Jan 26, 2010 2:22 PM CST up reply actions
I thought he said it was only like the 4th time he's thrown off a mound.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
If signing Gagne to a 1 year deal for $10M was a good deal
This is the greatest signing in the history of ink.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 1:05 PM CST reply actions
Funny...
When I saw the phrase “1 year- $10M” I immediately thought of the Gagne signing and started to shake.
Get a ife broseph
That signing Gagne to a $10M deal was a good idea?
Yes. A lot of people said it.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
Yep
He was very good in Texas in 2007, and terrible in Boston. Sample size and a ‘setup role’ contributed to folks feeling able to justify the signing. I remember being somewhat excited, but a bit apprehensive that so much money was going to a closer. I mean, after Turnbow, it couldn’t get any worse, right?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:37 PM CST up reply actions
NL Hitters, investors in baseballs, The Happy Youngster...
were other supporters of the signing.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
Doug Melvin, too
anyone with a changeup can get paid at the backend of the Brewers bullpen.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
Also
who the hell is The Happy Youngster?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
Some dipwad that chases baseballs hit out of the park...
and harasses future Rookie of the Year winners…
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
Ah
that doesn’t help me much.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 1:46 PM CST up reply actions
He seems like an assclown
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
He is.
Where were you when we played the Marlins this year, and he caught Coughlin’s first HR? It was national news that week. Deadspin was even on it.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Are you serious?
Ohh…didn’t he try to sell it back to him or something?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 26, 2010 5:46 PM CST up reply actions
He wanted all sorts of stuff, like Hanley's auto....
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Yep, definitely a douche
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Jan 27, 2010 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Just google happy youngster.
That should explain the whole thing.
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
What I'll miss about Sheeter...
…is how enjoyable it was to watch a game when he actually was healthy enough to pitch.
Catch ball. Throw ball. Repeat. I’d be interested to compare the average game time for a game Sheets started, as opposed to say Davis (or worse, Vargas).
Yeah, makes me wonder
It didn’t give the defense time to fall asleep behind him with the game always moving. I wonder if the fielding % in Sheets’ starts bears that out?
Signing two of the most injury-prone but dominant pitchers
Sheets and Duscherer. Gonna be interesting to see how it plays out.
Sounds like the offseason I was hoping the Brewers to have.
They got Duch for cheaper than i had expected, but Sheets cost way more than I had expected.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I'm going to post the same thing I posted at HalosHeaven
Does anyone really expect an uninjured Sheets to finish the season in an A’s uniform? Billy’s planning to pay him around $5M for 3 months, then flip him for prospects to a contender, who will get to cover the rest of his salary and probably most of the incentives.
But then, with Ben, there’s always the injury risk….
That depends on how good the A's team is
If they sign Damon too, they’re hardly a lock for 90 wins, but … if a couple youngsters progress faster than expected, maybe it’s an 85-87 win team and they contend.
As in the Holliday deal, Beane is bringing in a player who could put a marginal contender over the top, and who will be worth a lot at the deadline either way. One of the reasons Sheets is so attractive, I’d imagine, is that he’s got the potential to be an absolute stud, but he can be had on a one-year deal. So if things go right, they get the benefit but aren’t stuck paying him in 2013. If things go wrong (for the team), he’s a ridiculously valuable commodity and Billy can host the prospect bidding war of the year. If things go wrong for Ben … well, that’s the game, and again, the A’s aren’t stuck with the damages beyond this year.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jan 26, 2010 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
Say Sheeter finishes the year healthy, how do the Elias rankings work?
I thought they were a combination of stats from the last 2 years. Since he didn’t play last year, does he not get a type A/B ranking?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I'm not saying it's a bad signing, by any means
It has tremendous upside potential, from the A’s perspective. I just don’t think the A’s are going to contend this season, Sheets or no Sheets, (M’s are much improved, and the Halos have declined, but not precipitously) so I suspect Beane’s going into this with his eyes open, and expecting to get the most value by flipping Ben in July.
Tom H. with a quote from Melvin:
Melvin said he met with Sheets’ agent, Casey Close, at the winter meetings in early December in Indianapolis and was told what they were seeking in terms of money. They hadn’t spoke since.
“I mentioned a figure that we’d be willing to take a risk at,” said Melvin. “He said he could get more than that. I said, ’I’ll pass.’”
wonder what that number was
$5 plus $5 or 6 in incentives would’ve been fun. but then, it’s not my budget.
it’s all moot anyway.
by Capt Science on Jan 26, 2010 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
I'd be worried
Assuming he’s not on the DL at that point, he still would be a pretty big risk at that point of the season. Whether it’s some random injury or simply arm fatigue, expecting Sheets to be able to pitch the entire season in his first season back from major arm surgery is a huge gamble.
If the Brewers would acquire him at that point, then that would mean that despite having 6 starters for spring training, they would be short-handed… not a good thing.
Id be excited to have him at the trade deadline if he was healthy and hadn't pitched yet this year
aka if Benny started Spring Training in May. He gets into shape in July. He is dominant for 2-3 months and then has an inner ear infection, and a blister in November, with arm fatigue from preparing to lug a WS ring around….
by BrewCrewBrian on Jan 27, 2010 6:41 AM CST up reply actions
And i have an unhealthy obsession with Sheets but I'll take Davis at 1 for $5 mil over this for sure
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
Sheets has an unhealthy obsession with the 15 day DL
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jan 26, 2010 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Question for you then,
Would you rather have:
1) Sheets at $10 MM +incentives
Or
2) Davis and Hawkins for $3.5 + 4.25 + incentives?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I have to agree, but what if Sheets is more like 7.5 + incentives?
that’s a tough one, when the salaries are equal. I’d have to say Sheets.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
just as a qualifier...
Does anyone want DD starting a playoff game for us? Does anyone think we can win a playoff series with YoGa and Wolf as our 1-2? If not, then why did we spend our offseason spinning our wheels signing marginal players?
Because you can't have 3 aces on a staff.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
And you've got a strange definition of "marginal"
Who’d you want?
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
the braves did it
i’d buy the argument the brewers can’t have 3 aces on a staff, because they’ve never done it. although i guess you could argue caldwell, vuckovich (who won the cy young somehow), and sutton…
by Capt Science on Jan 26, 2010 5:00 PM CST up reply actions
The braves didn't go out and sign 3 aces though.
They had 3 pitchers develop into “aces”. Which, arguably, the Brewers could have, if Gallardo calms down, Parra stops being a nutjob w/runners on, and Wolf repeats or improves on last year, that’s a pretty solid 1-3. Add Davis to that?
Sure, it’s optimistic, but that’s what preseason is for,
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
Actually --
They signed Maddux after he had won a Cy for the Cubs
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
except --
Sutton, Vuke and Caldwell only played together for about a month or so. Vuke was injured 83 and 84, and Caldwell wasn’t much of a pitcher after 81 — certainly not ace-ish.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Jan 26, 2010 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
well, you could argue that none of them were aces
looking bad at the stats, they aren’t all that grand. and vuck would not have won the cy if the voting was held today.
but i was trying to be positive. it’s difficult for me, so cut me some slack…
by Capt Science on Jan 26, 2010 7:13 PM CST up reply actions
Did backtocali hack into your SB Nation account? :)
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
To answer your question:
Does anyone think we can win a playoff series with YoGa and Wolf as our 1-2?
The Phils won in 2008 with a rotation featuring Cole Hamels, the Ancient Moyer, and Brett Myers. So: yes, I think we can win a playoff series with Yo and Wolf as our 1 and 2 starters.
You know...
Will be interesting to see the full breakdown.
Like we haven’t seen that multiple times back here in Milwaukee already…
I know it's extremely unlikely, but the A's have agreed not to offer Sheets arby if he's a type A free agent.
Follow: @mykenk. Read thoughts: http://mhenk.blogspot.com.
That answers my question from yesterday about him being Type A/B eligible
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
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