Wow I mean aside from all the times he is serving up game winner home runs to David Ortiz he is a good pitcher but 9 million a year over 5 years that is over paying a guy to come to Canada. Guess that means A.J is a longshot. Speaking of longshot's ESPN insider in there baseball section under the rumor section where it list's the Blue Jays as going after Overbay. If anyone has access and can post it up here thanks alot.
Associated Press
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK -- B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays have reached a preliminary agreement on a $47 million, five-year contract, a high-ranking baseball official said Friday.
Ryan, a left-hander who turns 30 next month, is getting the largest deal given to a reliever, topping the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera had with the New York Yankees from 2001-04. Rivera just completed the first season of a $21 million, two-year deal with the Yankees.
The baseball official spoke on condition of anonymity because Toronto had not yet announced the agreement.
"We're still talking to him," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "To me, this whole thing is premature."
Ricciardi said he did not anticipate any announcements during the weekend. Pat Rooney, the head of the Chicago office of Ryan's agent group, declined comment. Rooney's partner, John Courtright, is negotiating the deal.
Ryan's agreement with Toronto was first reported by the New York Daily News on its Web site.
He had 36 saves in 41 chances last season for the Baltimore Orioles and went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 100 in 70 1-3 innings. He had a $2.6 million base salary, earned $200,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished and $25,000 for making the AL All-Star team.
After he became a free agent, the New York Yankees inquired whether he would want to become Rivera's setup man, but Ryan chose to remain in the closer's role.
Ryan's contract might have repercussions on Billy Wagner's negotiations with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. Wagner earned $33 million over four years in a contract he agreed to with Houston before the 2002 season.
The New York Mets have offered just over $30 million for three years, a deal that contains a 2009 option that could raise the value to $40 million. The Phillies also are trying to re-sign him
Associated Press
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK -- B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays have reached a preliminary agreement on a $47 million, five-year contract, a high-ranking baseball official said Friday.
Ryan, a left-hander who turns 30 next month, is getting the largest deal given to a reliever, topping the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera had with the New York Yankees from 2001-04. Rivera just completed the first season of a $21 million, two-year deal with the Yankees.
The baseball official spoke on condition of anonymity because Toronto had not yet announced the agreement.
"We're still talking to him," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "To me, this whole thing is premature."
Ricciardi said he did not anticipate any announcements during the weekend. Pat Rooney, the head of the Chicago office of Ryan's agent group, declined comment. Rooney's partner, John Courtright, is negotiating the deal.
Ryan's agreement with Toronto was first reported by the New York Daily News on its Web site.
He had 36 saves in 41 chances last season for the Baltimore Orioles and went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 100 in 70 1-3 innings. He had a $2.6 million base salary, earned $200,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished and $25,000 for making the AL All-Star team.
After he became a free agent, the New York Yankees inquired whether he would want to become Rivera's setup man, but Ryan chose to remain in the closer's role.
Ryan's contract might have repercussions on Billy Wagner's negotiations with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. Wagner earned $33 million over four years in a contract he agreed to with Houston before the 2002 season.
The New York Mets have offered just over $30 million for three years, a deal that contains a 2009 option that could raise the value to $40 million. The Phillies also are trying to re-sign him
