Oh Sheets

No wonder Ben Sheets hasn't signed with the Rangers yet...

MLB.com is reporting that Sheets has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and might need surgery.

This isn't some minor thing, a torn flexor can mean a lot of time on the disabled list and that's the last thing Sheets needs at this point.

This presents an interesting dilemma for Sheets and for any team that was/is interested in signing him: what do you do?

There would appear to be two choices:

1) Sheets sits out until he's healthy and then signs a contract
2) Sheets finds a team willing to sign him to 2-year deal with the first year basically guaranteeing nothing and the second year having a low base salary with a huge incentive package based on innings pitched and/or starts.

I'd take a shot on Sheets under that 2nd scenario as long as I wasn't giving up a ton of money. Maybe $1 million for '09 to allow him to rehab in my team's system (maybe a bonus or two if he's on the playoff roster - assuming the team reaches the playoffs) and then a $3 million base for '10 w/ incentives that could bring his earnings up to $12-14 million.

Too bad for Sheets. He's a stud who could really help a team at the front end of the rotation.

UPDATE: Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated is now reporting that Sheets will have surgery and that Sheets hopes to return in July or August. My thoughts on Sheets remain the same.

KW