No reliever even got up in the bullpen.  That never happens.  Well…almost never.  In 20 years as a coach/manager Ned Yost remoarked that it happened only 3 times for the team he was coaching.  Twice this year.  Both times with Sheets on the mound.

The guy has an NL leading 3 complete games.  He’s 9-1 with an ERA of 2.59.  If it weren’t for some blown saves his record would be better.  If it weren’t for what he called, “the worst inning of my career”, he’d be second in the league with an ERA of 1.90.  He’s already pitched 104 innings which is about the same as all of 2006.  When healthy, he is one of the best pitchers in the game.  And this year he’s proving it.

Yet, on a local radio show after last night’s stellar performance 80% of the listeners who called in — these are Brewers fans mind you — said Doug Melvin should trade Sheets right now because his value will never be higher.  What?!?!?

I will cut them some slack.  These are the same fans that have waited 25 years for a return to the playoffs.  They’re used to getting rid of the high priced talent for a bunch of prospects.  That’s what the Brewers do.  But, when you’re in the middle of a pennant race you don’t trade away the best pitcher in all of baseball at this moment.  Hell, people around here have talked about making a trade for Sabathia. 

Why in the world would you acquire Sabathia and jettison Sheets?  That nets you out to the same team.  Wouldn’t you want to add Sabathia and keep Sheets?  Doesn’t that sound much better?  You’d have the guy who’s #2 in the majors for K’s and the guy who’s #1 in the majors for complete games in your starting rotation.  I bet I know what the guys sitting in the bullpen would pick.

I know Sheets will be expensive to re-sign, but he’s proving why he’s worth it.