Blue Jays release B.J. Ryan

July 9, 9:21 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Tom Mihalek

The Toronto Blue Jays have released former closer B.J. Ryan from his contract that had one (and a half) years and about $15M left.  The 33-year-old left-handed closer signed a five year $47M deal before the 2006 season, which was at the time the largest deal ever given for a relief pitcher. 

Ryan delivered in 2006 with a truly dominant season.  He registered an ERA of 1.37 and struck out 86 batters in 72.1 innings of work while allowing only 42 hits and 20 walks.  He would go on to miss most of 2007 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but looked to be fully recovered last year.  In 2008 he was solid, though his strikeouts (per nine innings) fell and his hits and walks (per nine innings) rose dramatically.  2009 has not been kind to Ryan thus far, as a 6.53 ERA and a 7.4 BB/9 ratio has earned him his outright release.

Why shouldn’t you give long-term, expensive contracts to relief pitchers?  The answer to that question is now just two words: B.J. Ryan.  Ryan flamed out so violently that not only is he not worthy of closing games on Toronto, he doesn’t even belong in the bullpen at all.  He’s lost about 4 mph on his fastball and slider, probably as a result of both injuries and overuse.  Scott Downs and Jason Frasor have closed games effectively for Toronto this year, and they are making less than $5M combined. 

B.J. Ryan will most likely get another chance to prove himself based on his history, and what we all know he’s capable of when he’s healthy.  But the Toronto Blue Jays will never get another chance to reinvest the huge sum of money they wasted on an unimportant position and a guy who came in well below expectations.