B.J. Ryan? Sure, Why Not.

B.J. Ryan was once the Blue Jays‘ well-compensated closer, but he was off to a horrendous start in 2009 and the team elected to cut him, eating the $15 million they still owe him for 2009 and 2010.  Ryan has since cleared waivers, and according to the Sun-Times, the Cubs are all over him like smug on a Cardinals fan.

The question is, why should I as a Cubs fan become excited over the prospect of the team signing a former top-notch closer who was so bad this year, a team was willing to eat $15 million rather than keep him around to work out his issues?

The answer is, I shouldn’t.  But, since the Cubs would not have to pay him much, and since they really are kind of desperate for another lefty arm in the pen, I see this as a worthwhile gamble.  The idea is that, with Ryan in the fold, the Cubs could shift Sean Marshall back to the rotation to hopefully fill the void left by Ryan Dempster and his bad toe.

In other words, the Cubs do not think they can land another reliable starter via trade, leaving them to pursue options like this.  It could turn into a great move, if Ryan somehow regains his velocity and command.  It’s his second year back from Tommy John surgery, and sometimes it takes that long for a guy to fully return to form.  Then again, sometimes guys never return to form.  Clearly, the Blue Jays had given up hoping.