B.J. Ryan, a Blue Jay?

[Ray Finkle]

-According to the New York Daily News, the Blue Jays have agreed to terms with B.J. Ryan on a five-year, $47 million contract.

Wow that's a lot of years and money for a relief pitcher in my opinion. Although Ryan is good, he's not a top guy like a Rivera, Gagne, Lidge, Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner or K-Rod.

He's probably a top ten closer but who knows when a pitcher is going to suddenly lose it like Keith Foulke. If the Jays get A.J. Burnett or another bat they might be very tough this year.

 

[FaninPatsyLand]

That Jays team is going to be tough next year as is, and if they add another bat or Burnett, they're going to be a MAJOR pain in the ***.

That team always gives us fits, Halladay is a beast, and Ted Lilly just flat out owns us. The AL East might not be just a two team race next year, JP Riccardi has done a hell of a job with that organization.

 

[finfansince72]

uKnow wagner is lovin that deal, hes gonna bank when he gets a new deal.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Of course Wagner loves the deal, now he can go back to both the Mets and Phillies and ask for more money. He's better than Ryan and now the Mets don't have someone to fall back on (unless they start talking to Hoffman).

 

[Pink_Dove]

If he signs A.J Burnett as well, that's a whopping 97 million dollars for a pitcher with a lifetime record of .500 and a setup man who they'll be asking to close. Very risky but Ricciardi knows he's gotta do it next year. And if it doesn't work out the next guy on the job's going to be stuck with all that money tied up in those 2 players. Of I forgot, MLB doesn't have a salary cap.

 

[GreenMonster]

That Jays team is going to be tough next year as is, and if they add another bat or Burnett, they're going to be a MAJOR pain in the ***.

That team always gives us fits, Halladay is a beast, and Ted Lilly just flat out owns us. The AL East might not be just a two team race next year, JP Riccardi has done a hell of a job with that organization.

Another decent move by JP although in the last couple of years of his deal he will be making a ton on the Bluejays. I also vow this is the year our lineup is not dominated by Ted Lilly.

 

[phunwin]

As a Mets fan, I'd like to thank the Jays for overpaying for Ryan. One, I think Ryan is overrated anyway and was hoping they'd get Wagner or Hoffman instead. Two, this deal probably prices Billy Wagner out of Philly's reach. I think the Mets will sign Wagner for 3 years, $36 million, with an option for a 4th year at $10M.

EDIT: I need to take back some of what I said; Ryan's better than I thought. I thought he was a couple years older than he is. But at 29, his progression is pretty normal for a big league pitcher; he struggled for his first couple years, started to figure things out by age 27 and got good at 28 and maintained it at 29. The steadily improving K/BB ratio is what's most impressive and is probably the best indicator that he'll keep it up. Better move than I thought for the Jays.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ryanb.01.shtml