The Ben Sheets saga.

I've always been a supporter of Ben Sheets, injuries and all. I was hoping that this free agency would show that his injuries were hurting his prospects and he would sign a smaller, incentive laden contract with the Brewers, as we'd gladly have him back.

This might not happen, as Sheets' has reportedly told Brewers' brass that he is moving in a different direction.

??

I tried to opine my thoughts about this, but the folks over at www.brewcrewball.com did I much better job than I could possibly do. Here is their take:

"Brian Anderson reports that Ben Sheets "has informed the Brewers that he is going in a different direction."

I always thought that phrase was interesting, especially in this case. I can see how an organization might truthfully use the phrase "going in a different direction" as a result of a chance in team philosophy. An NFL team might switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense, requiring more from an outside linebacker than your current OLB can offer, talentwise. Or a team in any sport might decide that this is a "rebuilding year" and trade some established veterans for younger and less proven talent.

I'd be curious to see if Ben Sheets actually said he wants to go in a "different direction," because that phrasing really doesn't make any sense when you're a person instead of an organization. What direction are the Brewers going in that Ben wants to veer from? Requiring that pitcher use their hands to pitch, and not their bare feet? Catapulting pitches across the plate using your hat? Before this season, you could say that the direction Ben wanted to go to was "winning baseball," but that doesn't apply anymore after the 2008 season.

Admittedly, this may merely be some inexact writing on BA's part --- it wasn't offered as an exact quote by Sheets or anything. Just the same, it's the first time I saw a report of Sheets not wanting to return to Milwaukee, and I'd be curious as to why."

"Requiring that pitcher use their hands to pitch, and not their bare feet?" That's good stuff.