BallHype - Latest Ben Sheets News Articles

Andy Pettitte Inexplicably Rejects New York Yankees' Offer

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 08:53:30 +1900

Well, it's been rumored for a while, but it appears somewhat official now: Andy Pettitte has rejected the Yankees' $10 million offer. Why? Andy Pettitte is not worth t10 million bucks. Not close. He's old and bad, and he's had injury trouble. He was recently mentioned in the Mitchell Report. But because he's a fan favorite, and because he plays for a spend-happy team, he gets special treatment and is able to receive such an outlandish offer. And he's rejecting it. I'm stunned. How greedy can you get? The Yankees can get Ben Sheets, a better and younger pitcher, for similar money. They can get Derek Lowe without spending much more. They can snatch Oliver Perez from the Mets as well. They really don't need Andy Pettitte. Does he honestly think they're THAT desperate to sign him? It Is High posted an open letter to Pettitte beseeching his return, and at first, I agreed wholeheartedly. Who better to open the new Yankee Stadium than Andy Pettitte? But after this stunt, I really don't care. ...

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The Cleveland Indians and Ben Sheets?

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 19:43:00 +1900

Back in 2005, the Indians signed SP Kevin Millwood to a one year contract after teams shied away from him because of elbow problems. The move paid major dividends for the Indians as Millwood delivered with a 2.86 ERA as he led the young Indians pitching staff. Millwood parlayed his great season with the Indians into a huge contract with the Texas Rangers a year later. Fast forward to 2008, the Indians have just spent roughly $15 million bucks adding Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa to the team. After a lack luster 2008, the Indians now appear set to seriously compete for a division crown. This team has the potential to be very deep and dangerous. However, I still believe that the Indians are still another starting pitcher away from being serious competitors. Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, and Scott Lewis might become good pitchers one day, but who knows what they can bring to the table in 2009? Furthermore, the Indians will likely get nothing out of Jake Westbrook, who is expected to miss the entire ...

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Veteran Free Agents Are Plentiful, But Where Will They End Up?

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 03:19:05 +1900

With Spring Training coming closer and closer, there still remains a ton of veteran players yet to be signed for this upcoming season. Obviously, former Dodgers Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe are the cream of the crop at their respective positions, but what about the other free agents? Sure-fire Hall-of-Famer's John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Pedro Martinez are still out there for someone to take a risk on, as are Kenny Rogers, Andy Pettitte, and Curt Schilling. Even on the offensive side, outfielders Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, and Rocco Baldelli are all waiting for someone to extend an offer. Where are these guys going to wind up? Here are my predictions for the "other" free agents and where they will land. Starting Pitchers: Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz: Despite their eventual plaques in Cooperstown, not many teams have shown interest in taking a risk on these aged veterans. All three had injury problems last year, so I expect all three to return to ...

Find more top sports news, videos, and blogs on BallHype: MLB, Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets, John Smoltz, Bobby Abreu, Ken Griffey, Boston Red Sox

Cubs Sign Miles, and Trade DeRosa

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:02:02 +1900

The Chicago Cubs have signed switch-hitting infielder Aaron Miles to a two-year, $4.9 million dollar deal. Miles spent the past three years in St Louis, and hit .317 with 379 AB a year ago. The signing of Miles makes Marc DeRosa the odd man out. DeRosa, who hit .281 with 21 HR a year ago, has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for three minor league pitchers. DeRosa is a fan favorite coming off a career year, but has been on the trade block all winter longer. The signing of Miles is another step in trying to make the Cubs everyday lineup more balanced. Once the Cubs sign Bradley, they will have a lineup that consists of two switch hitters and a platoon system in center. Once the Marquis trade is announced, the Cubs will have saved nearly $10 million. Some of that money will go to Bradley, but it also may allow the Cubs to open up trade talks with Jake Peavy or possibly sign Ben Sheets.

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Why Did The Dodgers Not Re-Sign Penny?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:40:33 +1900

There has been nary a peep about Brad Penny all off season. And with just about every team in need of starting pitchers, many would wonder why Penny's name was not being thrown around the rumor mill. I mean after all he has post season experience, has had some great years, and throws electric stuff when he is healthy. Of course he was injured this past year, but so was Ben Sheets. In fact, Sheets has a more injury prone resume than Penny does. Yet we have heard Sheets mentioned a lot more than Penny in this off season. Plus, the Dodgers are more in need of starting pitching than most other clubs. Why did they turn down his $9.25 million club option (a relative bargain considering today's market) for this year and instead opt to pay him $2 million to get out? Sure there are issues with his health, but the Dodgers should know better than anyone what the health situation with Penny is, right? With all the reports coming out of Boston that they have inked him to a $5 million one-year contract with ...

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Should the New York Yankees Still Try To Sign Ben Sheets?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:35:03 +1900

Ok , maybe it could be considered gluttony (as well as risky), but I am of the mind that the Yankees shouldn't stop at four top-of-the-rotation starters...Not when Ben Sheets is still out there. Much has been said about the Yankees concerns over the health issues that have plagued Sheets during his career. The Yankees are correct to take such a prudent approach, especially considering their recent commitment to A.J. Burnett for the next five years. Also, the money wasted on Carl Pavano over the past four years has surely embarrassed the organization and is widely considered one of the worst free agent signings, well,...ever. The point is that the Yanks have wasted truckloads of money on bad signings and acquisitions (see Jaret Wright, Kei Igawa , Kevin Brown, etc.) but none of these starters came with the upside that Sheets offers. I won't deny that Sheets gets hurt and that he has historically struggled to reach the 200 inning mark, but didn't Josh ...

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No Hot Stove for St. Louis

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:38:06 +1900

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. It is not like you missed anything if you were out of the internet loop the last few days. I know that Josh from Cardinals Best News Links insists there is some Cardinal news out there, but you really have got to look to find it. Brad Penny is off the board, signing with the Red Sox. I know a number of people were interested in bringing him into St. Louis and it would have been an interesting idea. But Penny's health issues I am sure scared off the Cardinals, as apparently Ben Sheets's have done. The commissioner answered some more questions on his blog . Thankfully, he does not think the Cards would go with Carpenter or Wainwright in the closer role. He also terms Sheets as "another project", which seems a bit off-track. Sure, Sheets has had injury problems in the past, but it is not like he is a Chris Carpenter, a Matt Clement, or a Mark Mulder that is going to need rehab before he can ever play for the Cards. ...

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In Other News...Top Nine Jewish MLB Players Ever

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:08:31 +1900

"O.J. Simpson...not a Jew. But guess who is? Hall of Famer Rod Carew." That line is part of Adam Sandler's song "It's Time for Channukah." Although, as Ben says, "Christianity holds baseball together and makes a lot of player similar," jewdism is very important to the sport, too. Jews have been a minority in America forever, and are also a minority in baseball. Finding a good jewish player is rare. So, let us count down the top Nine baseball players who will be liging the candles of the Channukah Menorah tonight.

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