07-12-2009, 09:54 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The Cubs are expected to make a run at former Toronto 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, but 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 said it probably would take him three or four bullpen sessions to get stretched out enough to return to the rotation.
Marshall said facing left-handers primarily while pitching out of the bullpen has helped with the command of his curveball. He has grown more comfortable in the late-inning role after starting the season in the rotation, and has not allowed a run at Wrigley in his last 10 outings, dating back to June 2.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Ryan was put on waivers with $15 million remaining on his five-year, $47 million deal, but 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 said it probably would take him three or four bullpen sessions to get stretched out enough to return to the rotation.
Marshall said facing left-handers primarily while pitching out of the bullpen has helped with the command of his curveball. He has grown more comfortable in the late-inning role after starting the season in the rotation, and has not allowed a run at Wrigley in his last 10 outings, dating back to June 2.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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This is not some silly theory that's unsupported and deserves being mocked by photos of Xena. ![[Image: ITgoyeg.png]](http://i.imgur.com/ITgoyeg.png)