Knuckle Curve » ben sheets

Ben Sheets Considers Elbow Surgery

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:01:09 +0000

Ben Sheets, a free agent pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who starting the 2008 MLB All-Star Game this season for the National League, is considering having elbow surgery that will knock him out of action for the 2009 campaign. The timing of his surgery is obviously a disappointment considering that his free agent stock would drop considerably.

Before this news broke, we had Ben Sheets ranked as a top ten baseball free agent. Last season, Sheets had a 13-9 record and a 3.09 ERA. Over the last five seasons, the 30-year-old hurler hasn’t had an ERA higher than 3.82.

If Sheets has the surgery, he’d be unable to get back on the field for approximately ten months. Not long ago, Sheets was closing in on a contract with the Texas Rangers that would have guaranteed him two seasons. Now, following this news, nothing is guaranteed for Sheets.

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Top Ten Baseball Free Agents Still Available

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:25:51 +0000

1. Manny Ramirez
Could Ramirez be heading to the Giants?

2. Derek Lowe
The Mets are after Lowe.

3. Adam Dunn
Dunn might replace Ramirez in Los Angeles.

4. Milton Bradley
The latest rumors have the Cubs most interested.

5. Oliver Perez
Expect the Mets to retain him.

6. Pat Burrell
The Phillies look to be moving on.

7. Orlando Hudson
Sleeper of the free agent market.

8. Bobby Abreu
Breaking down but still a solid player.

9. Ben Sheets
Risky signing but could reward.

10. Randy Wolf
Could quietly be steal of the offseason.

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Top Five Free Agents in Baseball 2008

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:02:31 +0000

1. Mark Teixeira
A natural hitter, Mark Teixeira has a chance to be one of the best players in baseball over the next decade. PREDICTION: Re-signs with the Los Angeles Angels.

2. CC Sabathia
Although he had a shaky start to the 2008 baseball season with the Cleveland Indians, he was great once he got traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. PREDICTION: Signs with the New York Yankees.

3. Manny Ramirez
Even though Manny Ramirez was hated at the end of his tenure with the Boston Red Sox, he proved that he’s a great player once traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. PREDICTION: Signs with New York Mets.

4. Ben Sheets
The other Brewers pitching free agent, Ben Sheets will garner plenty of interest because teams would love to get a potential ace. PREDICTION: Signs with the Texas Rangers.

5. Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn is a very capable hitter who should help any team drive in runs in the middle of the lineup. PREDICTION: Signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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CC Sabathia No-Hitter Video – Brewers Appeal Call

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:43:28 +0000

If you listen to the Milwaukee Brewers, CC Sabathia was robbed of a no-hitter on Sunday. Sabathia, who the Brewers acquired from the Cleveland Indians earlier in the season, ended up pitching a one-hitter after an earlier call was scored a hit instead of an error.

Ironically enough, the fielder in question was Sabathia himself. Andy LaRoche of the Pittsburgh Pirates hit a dribbler to the mound that Sabathia tried to field with his bare hand. Sabathia wasn’t able to come up with the ball and LaRoche was safe at first base.

After the game, the Brewers announced they will protest the judgment call. They will send in videos to the league and how the league will overturn the hit and turn it into an error. If that happens, Sabathia will have to be given a no-hitter.

Here is the CC Sabathia video of his potential no-hitter that was ruined by what could have been called an error.

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C.C. Sabathia Traded to the Brewers

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:46:10 +0000

After weeks of trading speculation regarding where C.C. Sabathia would be traded, the Milwaukee Brewers have emerged as the winners of the Sabathia sweepstakes. Sabathia will join Ben Sheets to give the Brewers one of the best one-two punches in all of baseball.

Sabathia, who won the AL Cy Young Award last year, was traded for four minor leaguers. Those minor leaguers are believed to be Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson and a fourth minor leaguer to be named later. The biggest name in that package is LaPorta, who is a slugging outfielder who is currently in Double-A.

The Brewers will welcome who is pitching very well. However, Sabathia struggled mightily to begin the season. Currently, Sabathia has a 3.83 ERA to go with a record of 6-8.

Expect to see Sabathia in a Brewers uniform rather quickly, as some reports have him pitching as soon as Tuesday.

Here is a CC Sabathia video regarding his trade to the Brewers:

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Fast Starting Pitchers

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:02:27 +0000

Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister, Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals in recent years have already been eliminated from the playoffs at this point in the season. However this year, the Royals actually find themselves over .500. Why? Look no further than the pitching of Zack Greinke and Brian Bannister. These two pitchers have 0.75 and 0.86 earn run averages, respectively.

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
After a solid season last year, many thought Cole Hamels would be better this season. But this better? Hamels has a 0.82 ERA and has given up only 11 hits in 22 innings. At the age of 24, Hamels is quickly becoming one of the best pitchers in the game.

Ben Sheets, Milwaukee Brewers
Ben Sheets has been good for a long time now. This year, he’s pitching even better than ever. Sheets has authored a 1.17 ERA and a record of 2-0. He’s on pace for yet another great season.

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
While he’s no youngster, Mariano Rivera is proving that old guys can pitch, too. At 38-years-old, Rivera has been dominant to begin the season. He has five saves, a 0.00 ERA, seven strikeout and no walks in six innings. After a relatively shaky season last year, Rivera is showing he still has some gas left in the tank.

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