BJ Ryan to Sign $47 Million Contract with Blue Jays

Reportedly, releiver BJ Ryan is about to sign a 5-year, $47 million contract to be the closer for the Toronto Blue Jays. To me - the only way this deal makes sense is if that's $47 million in Canadian money. Or does it?

At the current exchange rate of $1 Canadian for $.86 US - that contract would be worth $40.42 million US or a little over $8 million a year. If that $47 million is already in US - then that's $9.4 million per year for Ryan which is too much in my opinion.

Here's what a few of the top paid closers are currently getting paid:

Keith Foulke - $12.5 million over next two years
Mariano Rivera - $21 million over next two years
Jason Isringhausen - $17.5 over the next two years
Eric Gagne - $10 million in 2006 and $12 million option for 2007

OK - so I guess $9.4 million per year for BJ Ryan isn't too far out of the ballpark for a top closer but 5-years?

BJ Ryan will be 30 in December. How many top closers had 5 injury free years in a row starting with their age 30 year?

Mo Rivera was hurt when he was 32 (only 45 appearances) but bounced back to have 3 more excellent seasons (and counting). Don't ask Red Sox fans about Keith Foulke's durability (though we'll take the one great season he's given us). John Wetteland retired at age 33. Trevor Hoffman had five great season from age 30-34 but then completely broke down at age 35. Robb Nenn was out of baseball after age 32. Troy Percival had 5 very good seasons from age 30-34 (but ask the Tigers how he did this year at age 35). Jason Isringhausen has averaged 36 saves per year since turning 30 but he benefits from the 3-outs or less managing of Tony LaRussa.

So I guess the 5-years is a coin flip and a risk the Blue Jays probably have to take in order to get a top player to sign with a Canadian team. If they do sign BJ Ryan - what will they do with Miguel Batista? Does he go back to being a starter or does he become trade bait? Batista has one year left on his contract that will pay him $4.75 million in 2006.

If he goes back into the rotation - that gives Toronto a staff of Roy Halladay, Ted Lilly, Gustavo Chacin, Batista and Josh Towers with Dave Bush and Scott Downs waiting in the wings. Batista could make someone a good third starter or maybe someone else rolls the dice with him as closer again. Either way - he makes an interesting bargaining chip for Worcester's JP Riccardi.

If Ryan is signed and he cuts Batista's blown saves in half (from 8 to 4) and Halladay comes back to 2003 form - then the Blue Jays should be a 90-win team and one or two moves away from contending for a playoff spot.

I don't think Riccardi is done dealing. That's a guarantee.