BJ Ryan

[Howling Mad]

Released.

I want to give him an opportunity.

I'm going to guess his ballooning 6 plus era isn't worth 12 mil. Thats right 12 mil. How does this work, is he out right released, so we can pick him up for cheap? do we pay the rest of his salary? do we have to wait until all teams in his division don't claim him?

I ain't no Billy Beane.

He's a lefty. An all star two years back to back, 05/06 I think, sub 3 era for most of the past 5-6 seasons, veteran guy, yada yada.

My two guesses.. he roided, or he's been hurt and 12 mil isn't sitting pretty on the DL, especially with that TOR team.

[GYBE]

I watch a lot of Jays games. He hasn't had one outing this year where he's looked really sharp. I'd take a chance on him for $400,000, but I'd put him in Iowa to see what he does in AAA first.

[Howling Mad]

WWhats up with this guy? Does he have injury issues, velocity down? movement consisten? My only guess is he's expensive and injured

[GYBE]

He had TJ surgery in 2007. In 2008 he came back with a very decieving 2.95 ERA. His walks were way up and his K's went down. You could see trouble coming, but I didn't think he would collapse this fast.

He's lost about 3-4 MPH of velocity and it's killed him. Especially on his slider. It used to be unhittable, but the loss in speed had made it a lot flatter. But, he's left-handed so it wouldn't hurt to give him a shot.

[Howling Mad]

Cubs have interest in ex-Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan
If they sign lefty, Sean Marshall could return to rotation

July 13, 2009

The Cubs are expected to make a run at former Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan when he clears waivers Monday, possibly making room in the rotation for Sean Marshall.

Ryan was put on waivers with $15 million remaining on his five-year, $47 million deal, and any team that claims him would have to pay the freight. After Ryan clears waivers, he becomes a free agent, and any team can sign him for $200,000 in '09 and $400,000 in '10.

Former Toronto outfielder Reed Johnson said Ryan "would be a great fit in this clubhouse," but cautioned that several teams are likely to be interested in signing him. The risk isn't great because Toronto will be paying the bulk of his salary, and the reward is there if Ryan can regain the velocity that made him such a dominant reliever.

If the Cubs do sign Ryan, they could send him to the minors to get some work in before bringing him up to be their late-inning left-hander.

Marshall has done an outstanding job since replacing Neal Cotts in that role in May, allowing three runs in 15 2/3 innings (a 1.72 earned-run average) heading into Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against St. Louis.

"I feel like I'm helping a lot down there as the only lefty," Marshall said. "I've been working pretty hard getting up almost every game, but I feel like my arm is in shape to continue to do that. And if they need me to step back and stretch my arm out to start, if that's what helps the team, I'll do that too."

Marshall has not allowed a run at Wrigley Field in his last 11 outings dating back to June 2.

[Posey H8er]

Why not take a risk on him if the price range will be low?

[ChronicKerr]

Why would we move Randy Wells out of the rotation?

[The Sheik]

Why would we move Randy Wells out of the rotation?

We wouldnt. We have 4 starters at the moment. Marshall can fill in while Dumpster gets better, then he goes to long relief and we maybe finally release Patton.

[ChronicKerr]

That is what I was thinking too. The headline stated moving Marshall back in the rotation, I assumed if you get moved back into the rotation they meant for more than 1 or 2 starts.

[Fukudome1]

the ink is dry bj is a cub. minor league contract. i think its worth the risk for how cheap he was

[Howling Mad]

Chicago Cubs sign reliever B.J. Ryan
Will rehab in Mesa, then go to Triple-A Iowa

4:26 PM CDT, July 16, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The Cubs signed lefty reliever B.J. Ryan and will send him to their spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz.

Ryan, who was a closer for Toronto, will work out in Arizona and report to Triple-A Iowa. "We're very excited and see a lot of upside," assistant GM Randy Bush said.

There's no timetable yet for his stint at Iowa.

[Posey H8er]

Very nice move by the Cubs, low risk, high reward possibly.

[GYBE]

Yeah, I like it. He most likely gives the team nothing, but it's worth a shot for the minimum salary.

[Happily married guy]

I like it too!

The guy saved 32 games last year, had a 2.95 ERA and 1.28 WHIP! He obviously started off poorly this year (so have others), and he got bombed in his only appearance in July, but in June, with 11 appearances he was 2 - 0 with a 1.04 ERA!!! May have a control problem with 6 walks!

This could be a steal! I think that we are only going to have to pay for a pro-rated minimum, like maybe half of the $450,000!