Where Will Ben Sheets Sign?

Former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets is one of the best arms left on the market, however he also comes with the biggest question mark. 

Sheets, still in the midst of his comeback from surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his forearm, seeks a one-year contract between $10-$12 million. 

Sheets, who made roughly $23 million over his final two years in Milwaukee, inked a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers before the 2009 season, but a failed physical revealed tendon damage. The right-hander instead opted for surgery and missed the entire season.

Yesterday, he continued his audition around baseball by pitching for scouts of the Giants and Padres, and 20 additional scouts at University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Those two teams increase the list of suitors, rumored or otherwise, for Sheets.  The Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Dodgers, Reds, Cardinals, Athletics, Pirates, and Blue Jays have all openly expressed interest or at least kept back channels open.

The variable surrounding Sheets is return on investment.  Even at one year, his asking price may be too high for smaller market teams.  That could price out clubs like the Reds, Pirates and Blue Jays.

The Mets clearly have a need for rotation depth. If they have any intention of seriously competing with the Phillies, they need someone to back up Johan Santana even if it comes with some risk.

The Phillies essentially swapped Cliff Lee for Roy Halladay, but that did not add depth to their rotation.  With Philadelphia, Sheets could pitch in a no-pressure role behind Halladay and Cole Hamels.

Lack of starting pitching depth exposed the Dodgers the last two postseasons. Adding Sheets would provide a veteran presence behind Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.

St. Louis would be a soft landing spot for Sheets who would undoubtedly benefit working with Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. Duncan is known for reclamation projects and could help Sheets quickly re-establish himself.

Any of these four teams are logical fits for Sheets, but a small market team looking to roll the dice cannot be overlooked. With the lack of pitching depth around baseball someone is going to take a chance on Sheets. It is a matter of the right-hander, who has sniffed 200 innings just once since 2004, proving he is healthy and gaining the trust of the team that ultimately lays out an eight-figure deal.