Alex's Sports Blog

Over the weekend, free agent closers BJ Ryan and Billy Wagner both got huge contracts.  The Phillies are currently talking to Tom Gordan, who also will get a nice chunk of money. 

  I'm sure you've all heard that BJ Ryan is now the highest paid closer in the history of baseball.  Ryan signed a 5 year, 47 million dollar deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Billy Wagner recently signed a 4 year, 43 million dollar deal wit the New York Mets.  The Mets have added Carlos Delgado already this offseason, and adding Billy Wagner proves the Mets are tired of being considered the second team in New York.  The Mets are also in talks with catcher Bengie Molina.  What an offseason it's already been in Queens.  The Toronto Blue Jays have roughly 160 million to spend over the next couple of years.  The Jays are willing to throw money around to get a big name.  Did they overpay for Ryan, yes they did.  I understand why they did it though, they need to throw a lot of money at top name players to go play in Toronto, which isn't a top baseball city like Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York.  Ryan is now with the Blue Jays, who are currently throwing a lot of money around for the services of free agent starter AJ Burnett.  If Toronto lands Burnett, and winds up with a pretty big bat this offseason, the Red Sox and Yankees better watch out....

  What does all of this mean for free agent relievers still on the market?  Scott Erye and Bobby Howry set the reliever market with their 11 and 12 million dollar deals.  Ryan and Wagner both getting deals over 40 million dollars just puts the icing on the cake for relievers still in the market.   Tom (Flash) Gordan could get a deal from 12-15 million from the Phillies, who are in the market for a closer.  AJ Burnett can sell himself saying that Ryan got a 5 year deal, so why wouldn't you give that deal to a starter.  Last offseason in comparison to previous offseasons was low in the spending category.  This offseason with three huge trades, and two monster contracts has the makings to be 2000 all over again....

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this