Both deals include incentives.Sheets, 31, was arguably the best pitcher remaining on the market, even after missing all of the 2009 season due to injuries. He went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in his last full season. Many thought the Mets would be aggressive going after Sheets, especially after passing up on Joel Pinero. The Mets are now reportedly after John Garland and John Smoltz.
Nady, also 31, was nicked from the picture last season due to his second Tommy John surgery. In 2008, Nady's last full season, he hit .305 with 25 homers. Nady was always on the Yankees radar, and if Damon -- along with some other possibilities -- didn't work out, the Yankees would have attempted to sign him.
So how does this tie into Damon? Had the Athletics not been able to sign Sheets, they would've likely made a run at Johnny Damon due to the fact that they need to add depth to the middle of the lineup.
The Athletics can now be taken off the list as suitors for Damon. They had cash available, but after spending $10 million on Sheets, it's likely they are out. Now that Nady is also off the market, the Yankees now have less options for left field, making Damon's return even more likely.
The Yankees still keep insisting that they have a budget of $2 million to stick to, and Damon continues to insist that $2 million is not enough. Many believe that both sides are willing to compromise, making a one-year, $5 million deal a fair estimate.
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