A recent report has said that right handed pitcher Ben Sheets needs surgery on his right elbow to fix a partially torn flexor tendon. Teams such as the Mets, Yankees feared that Sheets was hurt worse than he acknowledged and GM's Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya should be commended for avoiding the injury risk that was Ben Sheets.

The report surfaced after Sheets failed a physical with the Texas Rangers, who then pulled their two year offer. Even though Sheets' former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, might have to pay for the surgery, Sheets is not (and was not before this report) a candidate to rejoin the team. In my conversation with a Brewers front office member, "We would have liked to have him back, but were told that Sheets has no interest in returning to the Brewers."

Sheets removed himself from a September game last year after complaining of pain in the upper forearm. It was the same symptoms Billy Wagner had prior to his own 2008 season ending Tommy John surgery.

Before this recent news, Mike Silva and I had discussed the Sheets possible injury situation many times. My thought was that a 3 year deal for Sheets (assuming a lower per season rate of say $5-6 million) would be better than a one year deal. The reasons was that if Sheets needed elbow surgery, get it done right away and Sheets could come back healthy 11-13 months later. With recent medical advancements and rehab training regimens, the average comeback time from TJS now is about 12 months.

That is why I believe Billy Wagner will be a big part of the Mets September stretch drive in 2009. He had his surgery mid September 2008 and if he rehabs well, has incentive to come back.

So, If Sheets gets the surgery now and is out for the entire 2009 season, shouldn't we assume he will be ready by spring training 2010? At worst case on a return timetable it might even be in May 2010. That would give Sheets to take it easy in the spring, with an extended Spring Training and a few rehab starts in the Florida State League.

Then why wouldn't a team with some available resources (Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, anybody with an extra $5-6 million this year) sign Sheets for three years at $5-6 million per? Sheets will likely not make any money this year and teams next season won't be as eager to sing the guy after TJS and a year rehab. They would want to see Sheets pitch first, bring him in for workouts and then offer him the same type money anyway. Look at what happened to Freddy Garcia this year. No one next year will give Sheets more than a 1 year deal.

The Yankees have already done this several times! When they selected Andrew Brackman in the first round of the 2007 draft, they knew he already NEEDED elbow surgery. Brackman finally began his pro career this past fall in the Hawaiian Winter League, and is expected to begin the 2009 season in the warmth in High A Tampa.

Also, in 2006 the Yankees selected elite college closer Mark Melancon in the 9th round knowing he needed elbow surgery. Even though Melancon pitched briefly for short season Staten Island that September (he closed out and saved the Championship Game), he immediately had surgery after the season.

Back from surgery, Melancon rehabbed early in Tampa, Moved up to Trenton early summer and then AAA Scranton a few weeks later. He thoroughly dominated all levels. He is envisioned by the Yankee brass to be the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera and is the main reason why Joba will remain a starter.

If pitchers are coming back for TJS easier every year, and throwing just as hard and well as before surgery*, why not sign Sheets to a three year deal for good money. Sheets will be 31 years old during the 2010 season and would still be young enough to be effective after surgery.

*Many times the pitchers throw even harder because the surgery tightens the tendon even better than God created. Doctors are truly magicians with this surgery. When pitchers have an injured arm, TJS is music to the ears, while "Rotator Cuff" and "Labrum surgery" is the surgery equal to meeting up with Michael Myers** on Halloween evening. NOT GOOD.

**Movie trivia- The actor who played Michael Myers in the Halloween movies was Tony Moran, brother of Erin Moran who played Joannie Cunningham on the 1970's TV show Happy Days. He hasn't done much since, but neither has she.

Sheets would be perfect for the Mets or Yankees under this longer term scenario, because they have the resources and the front offices have an uncertainty with some of their younger pitchers. If the Yankees were willing to take those risks with unknown amateurs, why not take the plunge with an established All-Star?