UPDATE: The A’s signed Ben Sheets to a one year $10 million deal.  He could earn up to $12 million with incentives.Jon Garland signed with Padres to a one year deal.

Wow, look at the A’s breaking the bank. I can’t blame the Mets for not spending $10 million on a guy who didn’t pitch last year, and just look at his medical history below. I do however blame the Mets for not going hard after Lackey and then after that not making a stronger push on Pineiro or Jon Garland. Do people really not want to play in CitiField??? Or do we not have any money to spend or are we just doing a horrible job in the front office?? I’m interested to see how Chin Mien Wang looks, at least we know he has played in New York. If healthy I’d rather see him than Smoltz here.

ESPN is reporting in their insider section that the A’s may have already made an offer to Ben Sheets. He’s looking for $8 million guaranteed, that’s a lot for someone who didn’t pitch last year. Here’s a look at his medical history:

- 2003, Sheets was troubled by bulging discs in his lower back.

- A series of inner ear infections that caused dizziness and a loss of balance forced Sheets onto the disabled list for a period of time in the beginning of the 2005 season.

- Sheets started the 2006 season on the disabled list but quickly came off it only to pitch three starts before going on the DL again with shoulder tendinitis.

- A strained hamstring in August of ‘07 forced him to miss the rest of the 2007 regular season.

- At the end of the 2008 season he incurred a tear in his right elbow and did not pitch in the playoffs. He did not pitch at all in 2009.

All that said, his upside is huge. He is absolutely nasty when healthy. I would like him on the Mets but just when we get excited about having a nice one, two punch he will get hurt and most likely will not be available in September when this team will need pitching the most. I would still take him over John Smoltz though and he’s still the best pitcher left on the market. What I would love is signing both  Jon Garland and Sheets but we know that’s not happening.

By the way doesn’t Ben Sheets look like Sean William Scott aka Stiffler from American Pie???

The Mets continue to have dialogue with John Smoltz  and possbily seem him as backend starter. Smoltz, 43, posted a 4.26 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 40/9 K/BB ratio in seven starts with the Cardinals last season. He looked like garbage in Boston prior to coming to the N.L.

I’m sorry but did we not learn our lesson on signing has been former Atlanta Brave aces?? He might be decent in CitiField, but c’mon no more old timers please!

In the end Jon Garland might make the most sense. You pretty much know what you’re getting out of him, sort of like a Steve Trachsel. He’s not an ace but pretty consistent and he will get you innings.