Ben Sheets has always been loaded with talent. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Today, after getting out from yet another riveting shift at Best Buy, I heard an interesting little tidbit on the 20/20 update that WFAN provides. Apparently, the Mets have informed Ben Sheets that they are interested in his services, but I get worried at the mention of his name.

Injuries. They have surrounded him recently, and the Mets are all to familiar with those kinds of injuries. With people’s jobs on the line, are they really sure that he is ready to go? I have no doubt that he still has the talent, but what would the Mets have to give up to get such a deal done? Personally, I think he will still be able to bait a team into giving him a multi-year contract. The talent is just too tempting. Whoever takes the jump will have him pitching in their rotation in 2009.

His 86-83 record in eight seasons really doesn’t do him justice. Most of the time he was playing on a Milwaukee team that was just downright atrocious. He still managed to post a 3.72 ERA during those eight seasons which separates him from the pack already.
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Ben Sheets is not the answer for the Mets. (PHOTO BY ICON SMI)

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

One idea that I have seen in multiple places recently is to sign Ben Sheets to a one-year contract with incentives, and I couldn’t be more against that potential acquisition. First of all, haven’t we learned anything about those who have been hurt? Maybe we should bring some healthy bodies into the fold. I would much rather the Mets pony up the dough for John Lackey, but that’s just me.

I am not saying that Sheets doesn’t have potential to be a solid pitcher. In fact, he probably has ace stuff. The Mets just can’t afford to take such a chance. I think he will be a bad signing for whoever takes the chance, but there is an outside shot that he could be the pickup of the off season, but that pretty much goes for anyone.

The guy certainly has accomplished a good amount. In eight healthy years in the league, Sheets has won ten games seven times. He may make some team lucky, but Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel can’t afford to have another injury risk in town. It just doesn’t pay to take the chance.
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BY MIKE BARRETT
STACHE WRITER

Now that Omar has landed his prize free agent pitcher in Oliver Perez, he should by no means be content with what he has done this off season. There is still work to be done. The following two moves easily put the Mets as the favorite to be the top contender in the National League this year.

1. Sign Ben Sheets for 2 year contract

This move makes a tone of sense for the Mets. Yes you can say that Sheets is injury prone and there are questions surrounding his shoulder and elbow this off season, but his upside is totally worth it. If Sheets is what he was last year, the Mets will have one of, if not the, best 1-2 punches in the National League with the Diamondbacks duo of Haren/Webb and the Cubs Zambrano/Harden as their main competition. And what if Sheets does need to miss time with an injury? That is why Mets have Tim Redding, Freddy Garcia, and John Neise. Depth in pitching is a sure fired way to win ballgames and by signing Sheets, the Mets would have that luxury.

2. Sign Manny Ramirez to a 2 year contract with a club option for a third year.

This is the move that needs to happen. Manny Ramirez is the best hitter on the market and what the Mets need the most. It gives protection in the lineup, a clutch hitter, and a club house presence that takes the pressure of David Wright and Jose Reyes. And perhaps what Manny does bring is insurance. The Mets best power hitter is currently Carlos Delgado and there is no guarantee that he will be the Delgado of last season. Also it is Delgado’s last year under contract and presumably the Mets are planning n moving Daniel Murphy to first base. How does that affect Manny and the Mets? Well next years best free agent hitter is Matt Holliday who will be looking for a long term deal. This doesn’t fit the Mets because Holliday is a left fielder and in 3 years, that sport will likely belong to the Mets crown jewel, Fernando Martinez. So what Manny does give is the power hitter to hold down left field until F-Mart is ready, insurance for when Delgado likely leaves, and having the best right handed hitter in baseball isn’t a bad ting either.

So there you have it. Two moves that make the most sense for the Mets and make them arguably the top team in the NL. Hopefully, they come true because I sure can’t take another collapse in September due to lack of pitching and hitters that freeze when the pressure is on.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

A New report that has been released by NY Baseball Digest is suggesting that the Mets have decided that if the Oliver Perez solution is not resolved by the weekend, then they could potentially be moving on and addressing their needs elsewhere. I know this is just a waiting game between the Mets and Scott Boras, but this is getting out of hand. There is no pitcher out there that would fit this team better than Oliver Perez.

I like Ben Sheets, but I am not willing to even make a two-year commitment because I feel like this would be a Carl Pavano signing all over again. He would start maybe 10-15 games in the two years combined, and that is not what this team needs. This team needs a guy who is durable and who is clutch, and Oliver Perez has proved to me that he can be both of those things.

Randy Wolf is another lefty option, but I believe that he and the Dodgers will eventually come to terms, much like Jon Garland did with the Diamondbacks. I think Wolf is smart to see what happens with Perez, because if the Mets move on from Ollie, Wolf’s pricetag probably would go up. He’s too old and is another guy that has had injury problems. He also didn’t have very impressive numbers.

The last guy and possibly worst option being discussed is Pedro Martinez. If Pedro wants to come back on a minor league contract with incentives, fine. But if you think he is going to fill the void left by Oliver Perez, than you must be smoking something.

It’s time to get this done, because things could get ugly from here on out.