A's sign Ben Sheets to 1 year / 10 mil contract w/ incentives

[Providence A's]

Ben Sheets agrees with Oakland Athletics for one season, $10 million - ESPN

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics added another veteran arm to their young rotation, agreeing to terms Tuesday with free-agent righty Ben Sheets on a $10 million, one-year contract.

The 31-year-old Sheets has been plagued by injuries. The four-time NL All-Star didn't pitch in the majors last season while recovering from elbow surgery but last week held a pitching session for several scouts in Louisiana.

The A's sent two representatives to watch Sheets throw, director of player personnel Billy Owens and minor league roving pitching instructor Gil Patterson.

"They liked what they saw," assistant general manager David Forst said in a phone interview. "Enough to lead us to think that we should pursue this."

This could be a huge deal if he stays healthy. He should thrive at the Coliseum. I like it and they can afford it as they had money to spend.

[DirtyKash]

It's too bad the A's don't have Harden anymore. He'd make a great 1-2 punch with Sheets.

[cjkalt]

Over or Under?? (Ben Sheets Special)

First Day on the DL: May 10th
2nd DL Stint: June 25th
Last Game as an A: July 15th
ERA in August 4.50
ERA in October 4.60

[Trendy Bastard]

lol^

I think 10m is too much for a pitcher that missed an entire season. I'm glad the Cubs passed.

If he stays healthy, I could see them really banking off him come July 31st.

[redsrbetter]

Congrats A's fans! I truly hope he and Dusch work out for you guys. Two high risk and really high possible rewards! I like it!

[missionhockey21]

Who wants to bet the hope by Beane is that Sheets pitches like a rock star for 20 or so starts and then flips him for a top notch prospect? If Sheets is injured this season before he is dealt, depending on the injury, he may or may not be brought back. If he is awesome (read: healthy), the A's will have a trading chip and if that is the case, it makes it unlikely for them to retain him past 2010 and a healthy Sheets will get more in a trade than compensation picks.

[Kingdom]

In other news, Oakland signed the duct tape to keep Sheets arm attached to a 1 year, 4 million dollar contract. With incentives. (Johnny Damon is pissed again!)

[Providence A's]

If the A's are in the playoff hunt, they won't deal him. The division is up for grabs IMHO. The Angels lost more than they gained. The Mariners improved. The Rangers are the Rangers. And the A's added pieces to go along with the young players improving.

[Saber]

The division is up for grabs, but the A's are still the worst team in it.

[missionhockey21]

I don't know, if the A's are in the hunt and Sheets is pitching like a #1 (and in that stadium, he could put up silly numbers), I have a hard time thinking that Beane wouldn't deal him if the package included a young arm to replace him. But obviously you know the A's better than I prov, that was just my line of thinking.

[Providence A's]

The division is up for grabs, but the A's are still the worst team in it.

We'll see about that.

[Kingdom]

The division is up for grabs, but the A's are still the worst team in it.

So I can cross you off the Rajai Davis leads the A's to a division crown fan list?

[catman]

The A's had some money to spend and got some good talent for it. I think Sheets would have been a better fit with the Mets or Cubs, but he should be fine in Oakland.

[Providence A's]

So I can cross you off the Rajai Davis leads the A's to a division crown fan list?

He's on the Joel Pineiro leads the Angels to the division crown list.

[Saber]

I think the A's really have a shot this year, provided they don't actually have to step to the plate.

Daric Barton? Really?