Jays set to confirm Ryan deal
Team to announce closer’s signing today Ricciardi defends stunning $47 mil’ pact
The Blue Jays plan a press conference this afternoon to formally, finally, confirm the signing of free- agent closer B. J. Ryan. Reached at his home in Worcester, Mass., yesterday, general manager J. P. Ricciardi persisted in saying, one more time, that “ nothing was finalized.” When it was suggested we’d probably see him today, though, he replied, “ I think you will.” And we’re not going to Worcester.
Ricciardi, of course, will have some explaining to do, particularly in that the widely reported numbers — five years for $47 million ( all figures U. S.) — are stunning.
If correct, it would be the largest contract, in total dollars, ever given a reliever, never mind one coming off just one full season as a stopper.
It was an impressive season, granted, for the 6- foot- 6, 260- pound left- hander who turns 30 three days after Christmas. He converted 36 of 41 save opportunities for the Orioles, striking out an even 100 against 26 walks over 70 innings, while logging an ERA of 2.43. But still, for a team that headed into the off- season with a starting pitcher and a couple of bats at the top of its shopping list, this comes more than a little out of left field.
It will certainly raise the bar on the cost of remaining free agents in an already inflated marketplace and an accompanying outcry from other team executives, dismayed that so- called fiscal responsibility may yet again be taking a back seat.
“ Each club has to do what each club has to do,” said Ricciardi. “ We’ve got a budget going to $70 million to $75 million ( from a little over $50 million in 2005). I don’t think anybody should have to explain itself as to how it spends its money.”
It’s a bold stroke and certainly not without considerable risks, but it definitely sends a message — most assuredly to other free agents and, hopefully, in particular to Florida free- agent starter A. J. Burnett, whom the Jays have also reportedly offered five years.
“ It lets them know that, if we’re interested then we also have the resources,” said Ricciardi.