Cubs interest in Sheets gains steam

Cubs GM Jim Hendry loves to go after rehab type players in hopes that they can provide a high reward, as was evident when he signed players like Reed Johnson, Wade Miller, and Jim Edmonds. Well it appears that he is going to use that mentality once again this off-season. As Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports indicates that he thinks the Cubs are going to sign Ben Sheets.

The Cubs have shown interest in Sheets, who missed all of the 2009 season due to injury. But Sheets, when healthy is very capable of being one of the top pitchers in the game. And if you add that type of pitcher to a rotation that already features Carlos Zambrano, Randy Wells, Ted Lilly, and Ryan Dempster the Cubs could have one of the top rotations in the National League next year.

Sheets is reportedly seeking a deal worth $7MM-$12MM, but general speculation is that he will eventually sign a one year deal worth $7 million. If you remember one of the key reasons the Cubs did not bring Rich Harden back was because they feared that he would have accepted arbitration which would have paid close to $10 million, and the Cubs were only willing give him $7 million to $8 million for one year. So it would make sense that they would be interested in Sheets, if he only costs them $7MM or $8MM.

Signing Sheets would be a very good move for the Cubs. Because like I said, when he is healthy he is by far one of the premier starters in the game, and would add to an already solid Cubs rotation. Also, with Lilly likely out till May, it would add more value to the Cubs by having a guy like Sheets in April.

While Lilly is out the Cubs plan to go with the Rotation of Zambrano, Dempster, Wells, Silva, and Samardzija.