Cubs sign B.J Ryan

[Traps92]

Featured on Wiretap Headlines, the Cubs signed former Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan to a minor-league deal on Thursday. He’ll report to Mesa, Arizona, Sunday and then on to Class AAA Iowa.

The Blue Jays let him go last week, and the Cubs are on the hook for only a prorated share of the major-league minimum salary. Ryan is owed about $15 million between now and the end of next season, thanks to the five-year, $47 million contract the Jays signed him to before the 2006 season.

What are your thoughts and predictions of B.J Ryan performing in a Cub uniform?

[Rainman66]

I'll be surprised if they use him as closer, Kevin Gregg has been solid for them this season.

[Modern_epic]

I'll be surprised if they use him

[mikero]

I think he has a decent shot to make the team, especially with their lack of lefties...

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=284825

The Cubs have only one left-handed reliever, Sean Marshall.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella employed a unique strategy to keep Marshall in the game last weekend, moving him to left field when a righty reliever came in, then bringing him back to pitch one batter later.

[Peteros]

I still can't believe we have to pay this bum, $15 million for this year and next year. What a waste!

16 years and counting! Later.

[Modern_epic]

Yeah, I was exaggerating, to a degree; I think he will make the team, they will realize he is useless even to mop up after 30 games or so, and then DFA him.

[chargerxthirty]

The Bayou Jellyarm is back.

I'd love to see this hick get some at bats. Lol, it'll probably happen rarely, but if BJ gets a chance to swing the lumber, i gotta see it.

He probably won't though, because the likelyhood that he survives an inning is minimal. Laule

[CapeCrusader]

Since the Cubs signed him...don't they pay part of his contract?

[youngLion]

Since the Cubs signed him...don't they pay part of his contract?

Yes, the prorated veterans minimum. It's a non-factor.

[Modern_epic]

Since the Cubs signed him...don't they pay part of his contract?

Yes, the prorated veterans minimum. It's a non-factor.

Are you trying to say that amount is offset? Because I don't believe MLB does offsets like the NBA, though I' may be wrong.