Rosensmack

[fearthecubs]

On the list of bad contracts, this one would rank among the worst. Five years, $47 million for left-hander B.J. Ryan, a free-agent reliever who has been a closer for exactly one season and never pitched in a late-season pennant race.

 

Several major-league executives were in disbelief when they heard the reported terms. Their shock will turn to anger if the deal is completed and they are forced to bid for free agents in a grossly inflated market. Major League Baseball officials would be equally outraged, knowing their pleas for fiscal responsibility are again being ignored.

 

"It's so shocking, it's almost laughable,"

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5110978

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Never pitched in a late-season pennant race? That would be about 32nd on the things I'd be concerned about Ryan.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

lol. Riccardi has the competition overspending now. someone explain to me how this is a negative, even though he supposedly overpaid for BJ Ryan. someone list the available closers who have pitched in a late season pennant race.

 

if we're going to criticize, let us (GMs included) at least have valid and supportable arguments.

[badger1679666666]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

[fearthecubs]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

Is he 35M better than Eyre? Hmmmmm.

[Blueheart05]

Never pitched in a late-season pennant race? That would be about 32nd on the things I'd be concerned about Ryan.

 

To be honest, this is something I thought about as well when reading the terms of the signing. Think about it, it's one thing to close games in May and June, it's another to close them when the games are of extreme importance. It reminds me of Lidge who, as we all know, was lights out during the regular season yet seemed to crack in the postseason. Who would have really predicted it? Of course, it's yet to be seen how Ryan will perform in "big" games but it's hard to argue that the years and money are not a huge gamble for a guy who's largely untested as a closer.

[Jehrico]

Never pitched in a late-season pennant race? That would be about 32nd on the things I'd be concerned about Ryan.

 

There's 31 other things about Ryan that you are more concerned about? I thought you were pretty high on him :lol:

[NorthsideAvenger]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

I, for one, do like BJ Ryan, but I never thought the Cubs would have had a chance to sign him. And looking back at it now...getting Demspter sign at the contract he sign, and getting Howry/Erye are looking like relative bargains.

 

With that said....who thinks BJ Ryan will be the #1 bust of a FA signing next yr?

[SouthSideRyan]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

That's a really odd group to define as elite.

[Jehrico]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

That's a really odd group to define as elite.

 

I think he was picking out the best closer options on the FA market last year. Last year, nobody made out with a good closer in the FA market without getting ripped off.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

That's a really odd group to define as elite.

 

I think he was picking out the best closer options on the FA market last year. Last year, nobody made out with a good closer in the FA market without getting ripped off.

Gagne wasn't available last year.

[Jehrico]

Call me crazy but after Benitez/Percival/Gagne/Urbina I really don't mind not spending 10 mil a year on a closer.

 

I realize that those injuries have no predictive validity for the future of Ryan, but it's just not what I'd want to do. Even though everyone on NSBB has a sever mancrush for the guy.

 

That's a really odd group to define as elite.

 

I think he was picking out the best closer options on the FA market last year. Last year, nobody made out with a good closer in the FA market without getting ripped off.

Gagne wasn't available last year.

I thought he was FA eligible, but reupped with LA during the offseason...my bad...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Never pitched in a late-season pennant race? That would be about 32nd on the things I'd be concerned about Ryan.

 

To be honest, this is something I thought about as well when reading the terms of the signing. Think about it, it's one thing to close games in May and June, it's another to close them when the games are of extreme importance. It reminds me of Lidge who, as we all know, was lights out during the regular season yet seemed to crack in the postseason. Who would have really predicted it? Of course, it's yet to be seen how Ryan will perform in "big" games but it's hard to argue that the years and money are not a huge gamble for a guy who's largely untested as a closer.

 

Career postseason ERA of 2.33 - he had 6 scoreless appearances in the 05 postseason and one of those apperances where he was scored upon, he got the save. He started his postseason career with 22.1 IP and just 2 ER (0.81 ERA) before Albert Pujols homered in Game 5 of this year's NLCS. Maybe his arm finally got worn out after being abused the past 3 years?

[craig]

Who knows how accurate the Ryan contract rumor is. And he seems like a very good pitcher with a bright future.

 

I know when Dempster signed, some thought guaranteeing $15/3 for a guy with such a short track record of success, and some control concerns, was a bit high. But the Ryan rumor kind of puts Dempster's contract into perspective. Seems safe to assume that had Dempster gone free agent, he could have gotten as much and probably considerably more than he got from Hendry.