Sheeter?

[RockCoCougars]

It's time to start my obligatory annual thread to discuss the merits (or lack thereof) of bringing Benny back into the fold. Assuming that he wants to play and is ready to give it a go come February, would you throw him a NRI? Obviously, as we stand now the rotation for next year is set 1 through 5- but a lot can happen between now and April.

[yoshii8]

No doubt, I'd give him a NRI or non guaranteed minor league deal in a second, one of my favorite Brewers ever.

[burnzy24]

With his arm troubles he might be best used in the bullpen somewhere. Maybe taking K-Rod's spot?

[Bernman23]

The only problem projecting him into the bullpen is he stunk at the beginning of his starts. But if he were brought in as an NRI or on a minor league deal, it'd be a low risk move, so why the hell not.

[markedman5]

Is he even healthy enough to pitch?

[RockCoCougars]

I'm not sure. By spring training, it will have been a year and a half since his surgery. Not sure if he will be able or even willing to pitch by then, but I've seen his name on the free agent lists.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I say bring him in and give him a chance at a bullpen spot. Definitely can't hurt.

[Roscoe Chill]

All I have to say is wow.

[craigharmann]

To replace Cory on the radio, sure. Goodwill ambassador, sure. Pitcher? Pass.

[DuWayne Steurer]

No.

 

I'll be glad when Benny's been out of baseball long enough for the suggestions of bringing him back to stop.

[endaround]

After all the Brewers never, ever have had success with reclamation projects under Melvin....

[DuWayne Steurer]

After all the Brewers never, ever have had success with reclamation projects under Melvin....

I didn't indicate that they haven't.

 

But let me ask it this way.

 

If Sheets were not an ex-Brewer, would we still see the amount of interest in bringing him in as there is? Let's take sentimentality out of the equation.

[burnzy24]

Let's take sentimentality out of the equation.

We are. Sheets has a ton of talent, is still relatively young at 33, and has had some arm troubles lately. He is probably done as a starter but could potentially thrive in a late-inning bullpen role. If he signs for a low price and it works great, if not, oh well. I could care less if he was an ex-Brewer or not, he could be a low risk high reward type of guy and they are exactly the types of players the team should be looking at. You seem like you would be upset even if the Brewers offered him a minor league deal.

[RockCoCougars]

Sure there is sentimentality involved, but everyone here watched Sheets at his peak. Only three years ago, he started the all star game. It's probably less than 50/50 that he will even try to play again and even then maybe a ten to one chance that he will pitch effectively. That said, if he's willing to come to camp for little or no risk, why not give him a shot? You may catch lightning in a bottle. If nothing else, you bring him back to the fold and allow him to retire as a Brewer. I wouldn't throw away money like the Rangers have done with Brandon Webb, but if Sheets is willing to take a non-guaranteed NRI, what is the harm? I'd give an NRI to anyone with Sheets' track record.

[MNBrew]

You can never have too much talent. If bringing Ben Sheets back represents an upgrade because of what he can presently do, it's an effort worth making.

 

Unfortunately, I wonder if this may be an altogether moot point because, remembering his departure, the bridges may already be burned beyond repair.

[Oldcity]

Yeah, we're not talking like what Oakland did and spending 10 mil to see if he has anything left. A NRI would be great, but I doubt he'd want to come back after the way he left.

[RightFieldCoder]

I agree with MNBrew. As much as we want him back, we burned Sheets and JJ's bridges. They are not coming back until we replace the front office.

[BREWCREW5]

I doubt Sheets is very fond of Melvin and if he is able to pitch, would surely accept something from a team other than the Brewers.

[burnzy24]

If it comes down to the Brewers being the only interested team in Sheets for a NRI, I think Sheets would get over whatever slight he felt the team was responsible for. Maybe at that time he considered the bridge burned, but I doubt Sheets, at the age of 33, would hold such a grudge that he would rather retire than pitch for the Brewers in the majors again. With his injury history, it may just come to this.

[BREWCREW5]

If it comes down to the Brewers being the only interested team in Sheets for a NRI, I think Sheets would get over whatever slight he felt the team was responsible for. Maybe at that time he considered the bridge burned, but I doubt Sheets, at the age of 33, would hold such a grudge that he would rather retire than pitch for the Brewers in the majors again. With his injury history, it may just come to this.

Yes and you are basing this on the Brewers being the only interested team. If Sheets can pitch (big if there) and for a NRI, most teams would be in on him. He would not choose the Brewers. He probably bases his injuries on being overworked by the Brewers.