According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com The Mets and Athletics might be in the best position to sign highly touted starter Ben Sheets due to their sufficient funds. He described the two teams as ones that can be "aggressive." Olney believes potential suitors such the Rangers do not have the cash to land Sheets, and with the recent acquisition of Vicente Padilla, the Dodgers are now out of the running.
However, Olney also believes Jon Garland is the best fit for the Mets, especially if they are unwilling to be aggressive for Sheets. Garland had been asking for a three year contract earlier in the year, but when compared to the contracts Pineiro and Marquis got (2 year deals) that dream is probably over with.
Personally, I am torn. Sheets offers the Mets a potential second ace and devastating rotation. If healthy, Sheets is one of the best starters in the game and would certainly make the Mets a legitimate playoff contender. But if Sheets were to get hurt, especially early in the year, the media would have a fit, and the Mets would most certainly falter. The psychological effect of having ANOTHER star signing get hurt alone could sink the team. Signing Sheets is certainly a gamble, but one I think is worth taking. Garland on the other hand is not that impact player the Mets crave, and would merely be a perfect #3 starter. However, he would give the Mets a stable and solid start every fifth day (which this team could use with a rotation filled with "what-ifs") and probably around 30 starts next season.
In all honesty, I think the Mets need both Sheets and Garland. But either would help the club. However, realistically, I think the Mets should take a gamble on Sheets if they truly think he is healthy. The impact he would have could really make the difference next season.
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