I think the Brewers could afford $16-17 million over 4 years. That's about the top level they could spend on any one player. The question is whether
they'd spend it on Sheets or not. It's a tough call given his history and the fact he's never won more than 12 games (I know it's not all his
fault but still, a guy with his stuff sooner or later needs to put up 17 or 18 wins). I hate spending big money for mediocrity (like they did with Suppan).
It's a lot easier finding average production from pre-arby talent than it is finding top of the rotation pitching.
There are guys that will be available for around that price. Burnett is pretty similar to Sheets both in production, age and health. I would guess he'd get around those same numbers. Dempster is another who's in that age range who off this season is likely to cash in around those numbers. The benefit of getting him would be taking him away from Cubs but he hasn't been a starter over an extended period. Oliver Perez is a little younger and lefthanded but has a career of a wide variance in his performance.
Then there's bargain hunting. If the Dodgers let Penny go, is his health worth taking a risk on? Derek Lowe has never been a number 1 but he's got great consistency and durability and might come at a discount in years and dollars because he's a little older. And what about Jon Garland? Basically a solid number 3 and still young enough that 4 years makes sense. Or if the Yankees get Sabathia, does a year or two of Mike Mussina make any sense?
In short once you get past Sabathia and even Sheets, there's still a lot of guys out there. With 3 million fans in 08, Attanasio is going to feel pressure to bring somebody in to replace one of the two he figures to lose.
There are guys that will be available for around that price. Burnett is pretty similar to Sheets both in production, age and health. I would guess he'd get around those same numbers. Dempster is another who's in that age range who off this season is likely to cash in around those numbers. The benefit of getting him would be taking him away from Cubs but he hasn't been a starter over an extended period. Oliver Perez is a little younger and lefthanded but has a career of a wide variance in his performance.
Then there's bargain hunting. If the Dodgers let Penny go, is his health worth taking a risk on? Derek Lowe has never been a number 1 but he's got great consistency and durability and might come at a discount in years and dollars because he's a little older. And what about Jon Garland? Basically a solid number 3 and still young enough that 4 years makes sense. Or if the Yankees get Sabathia, does a year or two of Mike Mussina make any sense?
In short once you get past Sabathia and even Sheets, there's still a lot of guys out there. With 3 million fans in 08, Attanasio is going to feel pressure to bring somebody in to replace one of the two he figures to lose.
