Why the Pittsburgh Pirates Should Sign Ben Sheets

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

First, the price would be right. Yeah, Sheets is probably injured, but he's good. Meaning that he'd probably be worth more as a cut-priced injured player than many a full-priced healthy player.

According to Brewers' Featured Columnist, Jesse Motiff, "The best Sheets could hope for after missing an entire season would be a one-year, incentive-laden deal with a base salary likely between $2-3 million." That would not be more than the Pirates' established pitchers, Paul Maholm, and Zach Duke are making.

According to FanGraphs, Sheets' average annual value is about three and a half wins over replacement, even counting injuries. (He could be a Roy Halliday or C.C. Sabathia without them.) That may be more than Maholm or Duke can contribute in a given season, even when healthy. That's also about as much as say, Lastings Milledge can be expected to contribute as a hitter.

Second, Sheets could affect the balance of power in the National League Central Division, at least between Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, arguably Pittsburgh's biggest bugaboo. Pittsburgh was a decidedly better, if losing, 38-47 (.447) team outside its division, than inside, and actually beat non-division rivals at home in 2009.

But the Pirates' 5-9 record against the Brewers is representative of its overall 24-52 (.316) record in its division. And unlike the case with other divisional opponents, the Pirates have not won a game in Miller Park in over two years.

Sheets could be a huge part of changing that equation. Certainly you don't want to see him on the other side.

Third, and most important, Sheets would fill an important "hole" in the Pirates rotation, which is now good, but needs to get better. They have a plethora of back end pitchers, Kevin Hart, Jeff Karstens, and Dan McCutchen, but need a true top of rotation starter.

Maholm has been there by default. Ross Ohlendorf and even Charlie Morton show potential for filling this role, but don't yet have enough experience.

Imagine a Pirates' rotation of Sheets, Ohlendorf, Morton, Maholm and Duke (yes, Maholm and Duke might be the fourth and fifth starters). And Sheets' periodic absences would give the back-enders a chance to step up to the mound.

Finally, such a signing would demonstrate that the Pirates can recruit top notch talent for relatively little money. They took a baby step in the right direction this year by signing "orphaned" Eric Hinske for a song, then trading him to the Yankees for two minor leaguers. The signing of Sheets, or someone like him, would be much more than a "baby" step.

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