07-15-2009, 09:02 PM
Didn't see this posted yet.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/16...tarnt14.article
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs leading pursuit for ex-Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan
July 14, 2009
BY CHRIS DE LUCA cdeluca@suntimes.com
ST. LOUIS -- Though the Cubs might be shut out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes, they are zeroing in on a Toronto Blue Jays pitcher. Team sources confirmed Monday the Cubs are the leading contenders for left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan, the former closer who was released Wednesday by the Blue Jays.
''He would fit in great with the guys,'' said Cubs All-Star lefty Ted Lilly, a former Blue Jays teammate of Ryan's. ''I've heard that was a possibility. It would be nice to get him back on track and pitching the way he is capable of -- which is dominating. It would be fun to watch.''
Ryan, 33, was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA and two saves in four chances in 25 outings. Ryan cleared waivers Monday and is expected to sign with a new team later this week. The Blue Jays are on the hook for the $15 million owed Ryan for the rest of this season and all of 2010. His new team would pay only a prorated share of the major-league minimum of $400,000.
Acquiring Ryan would allow the Cubs to move lefty Sean Marshall back to the rotation, but Ryan likely would need to work himself back to form at Class AAA Iowa. He spent time on the disabled list because of shoulder tightness and scouts says his velocity has dropped and his location has been a problem. Ryan, who saved 32 games last season and a career-high 38 in 2006, has walked 17 and struck out 13.
Lilly admits it would be a gamble for the Cubs, though there wouldn't be much downside at this price.
''Hopefully, he's healthy and feeling good,'' Lilly said. ''I think it would be great to have him as a teammate.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/16...tarnt14.article
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs leading pursuit for ex-Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan
July 14, 2009
BY CHRIS DE LUCA cdeluca@suntimes.com
ST. LOUIS -- Though the Cubs might be shut out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes, they are zeroing in on a Toronto Blue Jays pitcher. Team sources confirmed Monday the Cubs are the leading contenders for left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan, the former closer who was released Wednesday by the Blue Jays.
''He would fit in great with the guys,'' said Cubs All-Star lefty Ted Lilly, a former Blue Jays teammate of Ryan's. ''I've heard that was a possibility. It would be nice to get him back on track and pitching the way he is capable of -- which is dominating. It would be fun to watch.''
Ryan, 33, was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA and two saves in four chances in 25 outings. Ryan cleared waivers Monday and is expected to sign with a new team later this week. The Blue Jays are on the hook for the $15 million owed Ryan for the rest of this season and all of 2010. His new team would pay only a prorated share of the major-league minimum of $400,000.
Acquiring Ryan would allow the Cubs to move lefty Sean Marshall back to the rotation, but Ryan likely would need to work himself back to form at Class AAA Iowa. He spent time on the disabled list because of shoulder tightness and scouts says his velocity has dropped and his location has been a problem. Ryan, who saved 32 games last season and a career-high 38 in 2006, has walked 17 and struck out 13.
Lilly admits it would be a gamble for the Cubs, though there wouldn't be much downside at this price.
''Hopefully, he's healthy and feeling good,'' Lilly said. ''I think it would be great to have him as a teammate.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->