There's increasing buzz about the Yankees' interest in Ben Sheets, possibly an indication that they're not confident they're going to be able to sign Burnett. As this blog noted two weeks ago, the difference between Burnett's and Sheets' 2008 and career numbers are smaller than you'd think.
Sheets
2008: 13-9, 3.09 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 198.1 IP, 181 H, 158 SO, 47 BB, 139 ERA+
Career (8 seasons): 86-83, 3.72 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 1428 IP, 1402 H, 1206 SO, 313 BB, 116 ERA+
Burnett
2008: 18-10, 4.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 221.1 IP, 211 H, 231 SO, 86 BB, 105 ERA+
Career (10 seasons): 87-76, 4.23 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 1376.1 IP, 1199 H, 1278 SO, 568 BB, 111 ERA+
When healthy Sheets is one of the better pitchers in the game. Sheets is also a year younger and can be signed for less money and less years than Burnett. It might not be the worst idea for the Yankees to go after Sheets, especially if they don't think they can sign Burnett.
What do you guys think?
16 Comments:
I've been saying all along we should take a chance on Sheets. But the only way I'd do it is if he'd be the 5th starter with Hughes not part of the 5 man rotation. IF Hughes was the 6th man, with Sheets as 5, I'd definitely take a shot.
If they sign CC and re-sign Pettitte, for a rotation of CC, Wang, Pettitte, Joba, and Sheets, I'd be ok with that. If they can't sign CC, then I don't know if I'm comfortable relying on Sheets as a 4th with Hughes as #5, considering the injury risks with Hughes, Sheets, and even Joba.
But as an alternative to Burnett, I probably would have as much confidence in Sheets as AJ. Not to mention Sheets has better control. I think Sheets can battle through on his "off days" much, much better than Burnett. AJ is all or nothing.
If that rotation - or one with Burnett for that matter - stayed healthy this team could win 110 games. And yes, I know how big of an if that is.
Exactly. CC, Wang, Joba and Sheets are easily capable of winning 20 games each, and even a healthy Pettitte has a chance of 18+ wins. The problem is getting them all 30 starts a piece.
That being said, I'd take the chance, as I don't see much other choice right now. Other than signing a guy like Lowe or an innings guy like Garland, there's not much else you can do. Having Hughes as one of our #6 ready to go would be good insurance.
Then all we have to do is sign Manny for LF (move Damon to CF), and Teixeira for 1B.
Remember when the Red Sox tooka shot with David Ortiz, they should sign sheets. lowe and just offer up 155 or 160 to CC. say take it or leave it. If he doesn't, throw it at Mark Teixeira.
I will go to war with Sheets, lowe Wang Jaba and either CC or bring back Andy as a fifth starter
Add Mark to that line up. I am ready to go to war. The really big money should go to CC or Mark, if not Mark, the Manny.
Sabathia, Wang, Sheets, and Joba could easily win 20 games apiece?
C'mon, Joba will be lucky to win 13-14 games with his innings cap and even the '98 Yankees had just one 20-game winner on that team (David Cone).
Forget Manny and forget Teixeira. Stack the rotation and worry about the offense after they've fixed the rotation.
There is no substitute for starting pitching and they cannot simply mash their way through 162 games in the toughest division in baseball.
I don't remember "Murderer's Row plus Cano" winning any rings but I do recall several locker room celebrations when they had the deepest rotation in baseball from '98 - '03.
Ok, firstly, the 20 wins thing is with regard to their ability, not innings limits or injury risks. Hence my conditional "The problem is getting them all 30 starts a piece." I didn't not say they would win 20 each, only that they all have that kind of ability.
Secondly, the part about Manny and Tex was a joke. You don't honestly think I'm suggesting that the Yankees will pay $150M for CC, $150M for Tex, and another $50-$60M for Manny, do you?
I'm good with sheets guys.
Hey Peter, I just added your blog to my blogroll.
YES! Like the idea. The two numbers that jump out at you where Sheets beats Burnett are ERA and BB.
Sheet really has significantly better control, but he's not much worse for Ks (even considering the IP difference), which I never really realized.
Since this seems like such a popular idea I'm going to add it to the poll on the left.
he probably wont ask for too many years or dollars. he would be a an amazing number 3 or 4. 3 years for 45 with an option year should be good, right? i havent heard nay other teams interested in him.
I couldn't see him getting a better offer than that. He was due to get around $13-$14 million if he has accepted arbitration, so it shouldn't take much more to get him to sign a 3-year deal.
Sheets is a no brainer.
What are the other options?
Peavy does not want to be a Yankee. We yankee fans have a short memory, and when he doesn't ptch well, we will be all over him.
CC will be a Yankee unless he takes less money to be close to home. Add lowe, and we have three really good options. Add Andy, and we have six pitchers not including Phil Hughes. If he pitches well in the minors, he is a huge chip for a really good first base option if we need it. OR, Center field.
Or if Sheets gets hurt.. we have him
You know, Sheets would work for me.
Mike
Sign CC, Sheets and Dunn. Then trade Kennedy, Horne and Melky for Delmon Young. Trade Matsui for prospects.
CC
Wang
Sheets
Joba
Hughes(Aceves/Coke)
Damon (CF)
Jeta
Arod
Dunn (DH)
Posada
Cano
Nady (RF)
Swisher (1st Base)
Young (LF)
Molina
Ransom
Miranda
Gardner
Mo
Marte
Melancon
Bruney
Veras
Coke
Aceves
(Geese, Robertson, Edwar Ramirez, Alba, HungryHumberto Sanchez & Britton all in reserve at AAA or trade bait)
I'd go to war with that team. Solid all around!
Delmon young ain"t worth that at all. Even Tampa got rid of him.He has a high ceiling, But not worth all those chips
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