Texas Rangers May Sign Ben Sheets, Pending Injury History

Free agent starting pitcher Ben Sheets may be close to signing with the Texas Rangers, according to multiple sources. However, the Rangers have discussed Sheets' extensive injury history within their organization, and are monitoring this potential signing very closely.

The Rangers, who have traditionally struggled from the starting pitching position for the last five years or so, are in desperate need to add a starter. The starting pitchers currently on the Rangers' pitching staff are Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison, and Brandon McCarthy. The Rangers have three other starters who are competing for rotation spots, in Kason Gabbard, Dustin Nippert, and Eric Hurley.

Ben Sheets would undoubtedly become the ace, or top starter, on the Texas Rangers staff. However, Sheets has had many injury issues over the past few years, raising questions all around the league with regard to his durability. His pitching style (high strikeouts) add even more stress onto his arm, and it can't bode well for his future.

The medical reports seem to be holding the Texas Rangers back at this point from making a move. His injuries last season seemed to drain his otherwise strong free agent value, and many teams simply do not want to take the risk. While Sheets and his agents desire a multiple year deal, it is extremely unlikely he will get it, just because of the questionable state of his elbow.

Pitching seems to be at a premium on the free agent market, and the two best pitchers, CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, were quickly scooped up by the New York Yankees. The Atlanta Braves quickly followed suit and signed Derek Lowe to a lucrative free agent contract. Ben Sheets, and his injury issues, have seemed to devalue him significantly, possibly making him a free agent steal. The Rangers seem to be the only ones currently chasing after Sheets, but they are only willing to offer a one-year deal.

The Baltimore Orioles, despite in desperate need for a staff arm, have declined any kind of interest in Sheets on his injury history alone. It simply does not seem like there are many teams out there who are willing to take a chance on him. While the Rangers don't exactly have a ton of money to throw around this offseason, this may be a gamble that they will have to take. The Rangers' Nolan Ryan and pitching coach Mike Maddux both want to bring Sheets in.

If the medical reports seem to be in Sheets' favor, the Texas Rangers will likely agree to a short term contract with the star pitcher.

Source: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090125&content_id=3770890&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex