Yardbarker: BJ Ryan

Will Godfrey or Ricciardi Be Brought Back?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:19:56 -0500

Blue Jays President Paul Godfrey's contract expires at the conclusion of this season and it is not yet clear whether or not the Jays will bring him back. Under Godgrey's watch, the Jays have suffered 9 straight seasons without a Play-Off birth, extending the streak to 15 years or 14 seasons. Every year under Godfrey's watch, there has been hype that the Jays could unseat the mighty Yankees or Red Sox and make the post-season but every year the same result happens, a disappointing 3rd or 4th place finish(except in 2006 when they finished 2nd) while being 10 or more games behind the Wild Card. Every year it's something different. In the early 2000's the Jays had Championship quality hitting but had AAA pitchers. When Gord Ash was let go and JP Ricciardi brought in, hope was restored but the same result happend. But instead of having the Championship hitting, the Jays now had a lack luster bullpen, an average rotation and a middle of the road line up. Fast forward a few years to 2008 and the Jays have one of the best rotations, the best bullpen but now have the most inconsistent line up in baseball(especially with RISP). So, over the course of Paul Godfrey's 9 year tenure, the Jays have 180'ed and can't seem to find the right mixture of quality hitters, starters and relievers that will let them contend for a Play-Off spot.

JP Ricciardi still has 2 years left on his contract extention from 2005 but has an opt-out clause that gives him the power to leave if Paul Godfrey is no longer President of the franchise. Ricciardi has been nothing short of a disappointment for the Jays as he's gone through 4 managers in his 7 year tenure (Carlos Tosca, Buck Martinez, John Gibbons and Cito Gaston). Fans don't trust him since he lied about the seriousness of BJ Ryan's injury in 2007 and he also lied about apologizing to Adam Dunn for publicly criticizing a player, who at the time, was hitting better then any Blue Jay(Ricciardi says he called Dunn personally and apologized but Dunn says he didn't). Many in the Greater Toronto Area believe that Ricciardi will be gone by October 31, 2008. Who would replace him though? The popular choice among fans is Cito Gasto, who many believe is owed the spot because of what happend in the mid-1990's. Oher options that could help the Jays in the front office include Cincinnati Reds Special Assistant Bill Bavasi(brother of ex-Jays GM Peter Bavasi), Yankees GM Brian Cashman, Mets MLB Scout Wayne Krivsky, former MLB Executive Of The Year Cam Bonifay or San Diego Padres Front Office Assistant Paul DePodesta.

Posted by Will McComb

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Will Godfrey or Ricciardi Be Brought Back?

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:52:17 -0500

Posted by Will McComb

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Is B.J. Ryan Expendable?

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:52:57 -0500

Thus far in the 2008 MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed having statistically the best bullpen in the American League and one of the best in baseball. One of the biggest surprises this season has been 27 year old rookie LHP Jesse Carlson, who has been the Jays most reliable reliever this season(6-1 record, 1.82 ERA, 52 K's, 22 BB's, 2 Saves, .195 Opponents Avg., 1.05 WHIP). He has a very deceptive delivery and can get righties out just as easily as lefties. He often K's righties with a good, hard sweeping curve that gets in on their hands. This gives the Jays 3 solid left-handed relievers in Carlson, Scott Downs and closer BJ Ryan. With Carlson's unexpected emergence, does this mean the Jays could potentially trade Ryan to fill in a gap in another position? It's hard to say because Carlson is just a rookie but he possesses a closer's mentality, strong composure, extreme confidence, above average repetoire, etc. And Ryan is currently in Year 3 of his 5 year, 47 million dollar deal. In his first year as a Jay, Ryan was nearly unhittable through most of the season but he was over-worked by then Jays manager John Gibbons, who would often have Ryan come in to get a 4 or 5 out Save. His 2nd year was wiped-out due to Tommy John Surgery and so far in his 3rd year, Ryan's been good but not great, which is to expected has he's a year and 4 months removed from having his Tommy John Surgery. The Jays could potentially trade Ryan to a team in need of a closer for a Shortstop plus Prospects. With Francisco Rodriguez being the most sought after Free Agent reliever, the Jays could dangle Ryan and see what offers come out of it.

Posted by Will M.

Is B.J. Ryan Expendable?

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:49:17 -0500

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/30: Shaky Pens

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:37:05 -0500

This time of year very few closers are truly safe. The situations in Pittsburgh and Cleveland are unsettled, and Detroit has thrown another surprising name into their bullpen mix. Jonathan Lee sorts it all out in this week's Closer Report.

Second Half Players to Watch

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:23:24 -0500

Every year there's a select group of players that have a great second half. These are the players that can be the difference between you winning your league or finishing in the middle of the pack and having to listen to "Johnny I Didn't Even Watch a Game" brag about how he beat you. Some players tend to warm up when the weather does, and others had such poor first half's that I can't see a repeat in the second half. So let's go around the horn and look at who I think will turn things around post All Star break.

Fantasy Strategy: Avoid the Elite Closers!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:00:35 -0500

Stay away from Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon, and Frankie Rodriguez. In fact, stay away from all the great closers - they just aren't worth it.

Top 10 MLB Before & After Names

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:22:59 -0500

My friends and I like to play a game we call the before & afters. We match sports players/managers/personnel last names up with another sports figure with the same first name. It can be fun and quite creative. After brainstorming through the Major League, On Deck Sports proudly presents the top 10 before & after names of baseball. The winner(s) is probably the best before & after I've heard, period, unless our viewers can take the cake and come up with a better number one. And so we begin… [...]

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/17

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:42:29 -0500

Injuries have created new ninth inning situations in both Seattle and Atlanta. Brandon Morrow steps in for the Mariners while the Braves welcome back an old face who should step right into the closer role. Also, there is a shake-up at the top of the rankings in this week's Closer Report.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/10

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:04:22 -0500

Brandon Lyon hasn't given up a run since April 6. J.J. Putz suffered another injury, and Troy Percival is set to return. Find out where these three rank, and expanded middle reliever rankings in this week's Closer Report.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/10

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:59:39 -0500

MLB Stock Market - June 12th Edition

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:29:06 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon runs down several baseball Bulls and several baseball Bears in the latest edition of Stock Market. Joe Crede? Oh yea, he's definitely a bull. Sidney Ponson? Ehhhh ... not so much.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/3

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:07:07 -0500

John Smoltz lasted just one game before electing to undergo season-ending surgery. Rafael Soriano, coming off his own injury, takes over for the Braves who also await the return of Mike Gonzalez. Most other bullpen situations have stabilized for now, but some players will be prime candidates to be traded to contenders very soon. Find out who in this week's Closer Report plus rankings for middle relievers.

Fantasy Rundown: Bruce Almighty

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:01:20 -0500

Jay Bruce had a spectacular debut week in Cincinnati, and should be a top fantasy option for the rest of the season. He wasn't the only top prospect reaching the big leagues however as Oakland called up Carlos Gonzalez. Elsewhere in this edition Ken Griffey Jr. nears a milestone, Bartolo Colon keeps winning, and Dontrelle Willis regains a starting spot.

AccuScore Closer Report - 5/28

Thu, 29 May 2008 15:19:18 -0500

Joe Borowski makes his return to the Cleveland bullpen, and Salomon Torres has taken control of the situation in Milwaukee. Old stand-bys Trevor Hoffman, Billy Wagner, and Mariano Rivera are proving they still have it and John Smotlz could be poised to make his return as well. All that plus more in this week's Closer Report.