Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald writes that that Cubs’ observations of Ben Sheets was that he threw “free and easy.”

Miles says that some observers have termed the Cubs as the favorites to land Sheets, but both parties are not close to an agreement since Sheets may fall out of the Cubs’ price range. The free agent pitcher is asking anywhere between $6-12 million for one year. The Cubs are in a position where they can only offer an incentive-laden deal with a low base salary.

Sheets, 31, did not pitch in 2009 due to a torn flexor tendon.  He was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2008.

You can see Ben Sheets’ statistics here.