Mychael Urban has tweeted that the A's have signed Ben Sheets and there will be a 1pm press conference to announce it.

The rumored dollar amount is $8m for one year.

We've been waiting for some word of this for a few days now, ever since the rumors popped up that the A's were in the running.  The other rumor, which I hope goes away now, was that the A's were interested in Johnny Damon. With Sheets a part of the rotation, the pressure is reduced for the young arms who may show signs of the Verducci Effect, or a reduction in performance the year after a big increase in innings pitched.

Sheets sustained a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow at the end of 2008, missing the playoffs. He hasn't pitched in a game since, but reports from last week's pitching session were good. If he can stay healthy, he should have a really good year. The Coliseum is a good place for pitchers to reignite the spark in their stalled careers.

I see him as trade bait if the A's are not contending come July, and I'm fine with that. The team still has holes to patch for the upcoming 20-teen Dynasty, and a healthy Sheets could get a patchwork of young'uns in return.