Injury history, bad timing hurting Sheets | Hot Stove News Tracker

One of the best free-agent pitchers may still be waiting for his first multiyear offer to come in.

There's no evidence Ben Sheets has received any proposals for two years or more yet, though he's drawing interest from at least the Rangers and Yankees, and very likely his old Brewers team, as well. Sheets rejected Milwaukee's offer of arbitration and would figure to get a two-year offer at some point.

Sheets has had a career that's comparable or even better than A.J. Burnett, who's signed with the Yankees for $82.5 million over five years, but is being hurt by bad timing.

Both pitchers have suffered from a variety of injuries in their otherwise impressive careers. The only difference appears to be in the timing of Sheets' latest pain. While Burnett pitched superbly in the second half last year and wound up with a career-high 18 victories, Sheets finished at 13-9 with a stellar 3.09 ERA but suffered a September injury that appears to be giving teams pause.

Several teams have been poring over Sheets' medical reports, including the Yankees and Rangers. However, the Yankees appear for the moment to be waiting for Andy Pettitte to give them an answer about their $10-million, one-year offer before making a bid to Sheets.

Sheets' medical reports are said to not contain anything alarming. But he has had a variety of aches and pains over the years, involving his back, elbow area and other areas.

Last year's injury is said to involve the flexor tendon muscle and not the actual elbow. Even so, teams are being very cautious with him so far.