Ryan Theriot gave a hearty endorsement Thursday to the idea of signing free-agent starter and fellow Baton Rouge, La., native Ben Sheets.
During an interview on "Chicago Tribune Live," the Cubs shortstop addressed the early season rotation vacancy due to Ted Lilly's injury, saying: "The front end of that rotation is pretty tough... and maybe you throw in a Ben Sheets and see what happens."
Sheets, who missed the 2009 season following elbow surgery, will work out for prospective teams on Tuesday in Louisiana. The Cubs plan to be in attendance and would like to sign Sheets to a one-year, incentive-laden deal.
"That'd be great," Theriot said. "I think we all know what Ben can do on the field, a dominating shut-down pitcher. When he's right, there's not many guys that are better. But from a clubhouse standpoint, (he's a) very intricate, nice fellow, and brings kind of a different feel to the clubhouse.
"(He's) someone I would welcome with open arms, not because I've known him for a long time, but he brings a 'Scott Eyre feel' to the clubhouse -- a light, funny, keep-everyone-on-their-toes type of feeling."
Sheets' asking price may be too high, but the Cubs hope his interest in playing in Wrigley Field trumps his desire to get the biggest contract.
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Jim, did you mean Jeff Baker at 2B? I kind of like the idea of signing Miguel Tejada to play SS, move Theriot to 2B and use Baker and our utility guy. Tejada has a year left in him I think. I really like Theriot but he is average at SS at BEST!
Sheets should lobby the Cubs for a good shortstop, then maybe he's sign! The Cubbies are solid up the middle with, what-his-name at second, Byrd in center, Theriot at short, and who ever behind the plate? With that outfield and the middle infield as it is, Sheets better strike out everyone!
Bob is either a idiot St. Louis fan or White Sox fan. Ignore his posts.
Bob, Cardinals have Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse, Penny and possibly Piniero. I like the Cubs' starting staff, but is that a serious post? I like Reed Johnson, but come on! Holliday blows him out of the water. The race for the Central is going to be a tight one, hopefully the Cubs can pull it out.
wow someone should drug test that fool
Lord... Bob again? Ben Sheets is worse than Harden! Please... please stop commenting on something you obviously know nothing about! Anyone reading this please see Bobs take on Reed Johnson being a better player than Matt Holliday in the Johnson thread from a few days ago!
I agree with Doug, Miller was a horrible signing and this will be too! Stop spending money on used cars, this is just another "stop-gap".
find the money. sign Sheets and answer to Ricketts later.
Sounds a lot like Wade Miller revisited.
I'd love to have Sheets, but cha-ching! We're out of money...
Y'know.....it's always somethin' !