2009-02-07T00:02:13-05:00 <div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/23101/ben-sheets-blog25.jpg" alt="Ben-sheets-blog25" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">Ben Sheets' impending surgery makes it clear why he had <br />not garnered a whole lot of interest this offseason.<br />Kelvin Ma/Icon SMI<br /></div> </div> <p>Free agent right-hander <strong>Ben Sheets</strong> is planning to have the flexor tendon tear near his right elbow surgically repaired and is hopeful for a return in the second half of the 2009 season, his agent <strong>Casey Close</strong> told SI.com.<br /><br />MLB.com first reported today that Sheets was considering surgery.<br /><br />After failing to receive any offers reflective of his superior talent, Close said Sheets concluded, "I'm just going to get this fixed.''</p> <p>Noted sports surgeon <strong>James Andrews</strong> will likely perform the surgery.<br /><br />Sheets has had a career comparable to <strong>A.J. Burnett</strong> yet Burnett's big second half last season led to an $82.5 million, five-year deal, while Sheets, who actually started the All-Star Game last year but hurt his elbow in September, was getting only one-year offers with relatively low bases (probably no more than $5 million) and mostly incentives.<br /><br />At one point, Sheets and the Rangers were discussing the framework for a two-year deal, but when that fell apart, Sheets determined he'd be better off having the surgery now and gambling that he could return to his usual form. Sheets was 13-9 last year, but teams were focused on his flexor tendon tear and the uncertainty it was causing. Sheets also noticed how Burnett's excellent few months attracted a lot of attention on the free-agent market and is hopeful he can come back as a difference maker in July or August.</p> 2009-02-05T16:16:35-05:00 24 2009-02-05T16:16:35-05:00 1 3 10 2009-02-07T00:02:12-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/483/1/thumb/byebyetn.jpg 2198 rhymeister tea town aka Tokyo 4851 24 The Rangers would do well to revisit the deal but on a 2-year basis gambling that he will return to form. It usually take a complete year though to rehabilitate ELBOW injuries so Sheets might not be a monster again until mid 2010 season. 4249110 2009-02-06T12:47:01-05:00 11 TN Braves Fan 79 Knoxville 8763 23 Sheets could have saved four months by having the surgery in October if he needed it then instead of trying to get teams to sign him with a torn flexor tendon. Sheets is a great pitcher when healthy but he isn't healthy enough to win many games. 4241631 2009-02-06T12:31:57-05:00 105 NY Purnell Millbrook 248220 22 I wished the Mets had signed this guy. Goes to show how much I know. How many people contribute to this section and admit they were wrong? 4241372 2009-02-06T09:20:15-05:00 1 WI Elsie Nekoosa 681169 21 This unique situation exposes another flaw in the draft compensation system. The Brewers have already gotten zipped having to accept the Yankees second round pick instead of their first because CC was not the top free agent the Yankees signed. Now, if Sheets doesn't sign before the draft, his draft compensation goes away also. That compensation should be in place no matter when he signs!!!! 4237322 2009-02-06T07:08:25-05:00 724 neehow 13985 20 As a Brewer fan, I'm elated that he is gone, Sheets is an injury waiting to happen. By losing him, the Brewers have the money to sign a decent pitcher to replace him. Good Luck, Ben! 4236711 2009-02-06T04:37:30-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/239/981/thumb/DSC00135.jpg 38 NY Candid Opinion Poughquag 240301 19 Didn't the Yankees sign someone from the Cubs a few years ago to a two year deal and he had surgery the first? 4236611 2009-02-06T04:08:24-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/636/121/thumb/edgar_martinez_autograph.jpg 125 WA tracejuno Seattle 636761 18 At least now we know why nobody wanted him. Hey, does Manny need a new knee or something? 4236575 2009-02-06T00:05:57-05:00 3 TX dustbadger Waco 613271 17 frickin' Rangers, FRICKIN' Jon Daniels. We wait all off season and sign nothing to address the profound hole, all the while focusing on one questionable guy. It's almost comical, even if they would have gotten him under that 2 year deal he would have immediately gone into the menagerie of talented guys who are good for 3 starts at a time. Its almost as if the Ranger's Karma doomed Sheets. 4236008 2009-02-05T23:30:14-05:00 19 OK PJ Fuller Edmond 54741 16 Hmmm. Benny must be kicking himself for turning down arbitration....1 year, $12 Million. Actually, he should be kicking his agent....repeatedly. 4235705 2009-02-05T16:24:47-05:00 54 IL Sports Know it all Palatine 431579 3 He's a real bargain now. Pick him up for a 2 mill deal with a club option if he's healthy for say 5 mill next year. 4231850 2009-02-05T22:23:07-05:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/594/155/thumb/penn_state.jpg 8 PA OppoJack 594795 He's a real bargain now. Pick him up for a 2 mill deal with a club option if he's healthy for say 5 mill next year. 15 Good point. If you can get him cheap, go for it. 4235217 24 <div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://img.fannation.com/upload/si_blog_post_images/23101/ben-sheets-blog25.jpg" alt="Ben-sheets-blog25" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align: left;">Ben Sheets' impending surgery makes it clear why he had <br />not garnered a whole lot of interest this offseason.<br />Kelvin Ma/Icon SMI<br /></div> </div> <p>Free agent right-hander <strong>Ben Sheets</strong> is planning to have the flexor tendon tear near his right elbow surgically repaired and is hopeful for a return in the second half of the 2009 season, his agent <strong>Casey Close</strong> told SI.com.<br /><br />MLB.com first reported today that Sheets was considering surgery.<br /><br />After failing to receive any offers reflective of his superior talent, Close said Sheets concluded, "I'm just going to get this fixed.''</p> <p>Noted sports surgeon <strong>James Andrews</strong> will likely perform the surgery.<br /><br />Sheets has had a career comparable to <strong>A.J. Burnett</strong> yet Burnett's big second half last season led to an $82.5 million, five-year deal, while Sheets, who actually started the All-Star Game last year but hurt his elbow in September, was getting only one-year offers with relatively low bases (probably no more than $5 million) and mostly incentives.<br /><br />At one point, Sheets and the Rangers were discussing the framework for a two-year deal, but when that fell apart, Sheets determined he'd be better off having the surgery now and gambling that he could return to his usual form. Sheets was 13-9 last year, but teams were focused on his flexor tendon tear and the uncertainty it was causing. Sheets also noticed how Burnett's excellent few months attracted a lot of attention on the free-agent market and is hopeful he can come back as a difference maker in July or August.<br /><br />Doctors told Sheets he could try to pitch through it but that at some point it would probably go. They also told him they wouldn't know when that would be until he got on a mound and threw at maximum effort.<br /><br />By getting the surgery now, Sheets removes the uncertainty. He also gambles that the free-agent market will be slightly better next season. "With 10 or 12 starts, he's going to be in pretty good shape," Close said.</p> 47664 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/100/64/thumb/Heyman_Jon.png 0 NY Jon Heyman New York 10084