Yardbarker: BJ Ryan

Cubs Sign B.J. Ryan to 1 Year Deal

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:16:35 -0500

No more Neal Cotts! Well, Neal had Tommy John surgery but the Cubs have a lefty in the pen! WOO! /end homerism BREAKING: Cubs Sign BJ Ryan (ESPNChicago Twitter)

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

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.

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. ...

Rehab Report: BJ Ryan, Armando Benitez & Gus Chacin

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:26:25 -0500

Down in Dunedin I lucked into catching rehab assignments for BJ Ryan, Gustavo Chacin & Armando Benitez. Is Ryan ready to rejoin your fantasy roster? Exclusive notes & photos within.

B & C Exclusive Interview: Jawin' with Johnny Mac

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:32:12 -0500

Blue Jays infielder John McDonald recently got on the horn with the good people over at Bugs and Cranks to talk about David Eckstein, Chief Wahoo and being traded for himself. The man is the best shortstop in the American League (if not baseball) and if you don't think so -- it's one of two things -- you haven't seen him play or you just have no idea in general. Enjoy Johnny Mac!

Fantasy Bullpen Breakdowns - AL East Closers, Setup Men & Sleeper Middle Relievers

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:31:09 -0500

With saves always being a hot commodity in fantasy baseball and the holds category gaining in popularity, it is important to keep an eye on relievers during Spring Training. In the coming week, FSE will examine the bullpens of each Major League team and see who will be filling the roles of closer and setup man come opening day. In addition, we will highlight a few sleepers to keep an eye on from each roster. The AL east team are first up...

Closer News: B.J. Ryan, George Sherrill, C.J. Wilson, and Rafael Soriano

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:00:13 -0500

We have the latest closer news from around baseball for your fantasy draft.

Sprint Training Fantasy News and Notes: Closers On The Mend, (Baltimore, Toronto), Oakland, Minnesota

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:29:15 -0500

We once again look at the rest of the articles, so you don't have to. We have closer news from around the league as well as some news on some rehabbing closers and a 3B sleeper pick.

Jamie Campbell Interview with Blue Jay Way

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:25:27 -0500

Great insight on the Jays

BJ Ryan Out For Year After Tommy John Surgery

Thu, 10 May 2007 20:08:28 -0500

B.J. Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery today, officially ending his 2007 season. The LHP need to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John Surgery) in his left elbow.

GNUru Mailbag:Young and the Restless (Fantasy Owners)

Fri, 04 May 2007 20:28:58 -0500

The GNUru provides advice to a reader about Michael Young. The owner who dropped Michael Young made one of the most common mistakes in fantasy baseball- that is, drop a proven fantasy baseball player off to a slow start. In the article, "So the Season, Has Started Now What?", the GNUru advises owners to be ready to pounce on under-performing stars who are dropped by impatient owners.

Around the Horn: Patriot's Day Edition

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:05:21 -0500

You have to feel bad for the Yankees at this point as their pitching staff is decimated. (ok...not too bad) Its interesting to look at Arod's contribution this year, clearly better than in years past, but still not excelling in clutch situations (aside from the granny to win it) as much as you might think. The trick is he has been in high leverage at bats 11% more than any other player in baseball this year. Lots of chance to fail and to succeed. And he's done both.

GNUru Mailbag: Free Agent Frasor!

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:36:39 -0500

I have just put BJ Ryan on the disabled list. Al Reyes (Tampa Bay) and Jason Frasor (Toronto) are available as free agents, who should i pick up? Thanks, Chuck Read the GNUru's Response....

Ryan blows another save. Is a big $$$ Closer contract worth it?

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 14:25:19 -0500

Is their really a reason to spend $10+ million on a closer when you can get a marginally (3% - 4% Save conversion rate) poorer closer at a 50%+ discount?