B.J. Ryan

Columns

1. A look at why Jonathan Papelbon is headed to Philadelphia

   Columns

   11/12/2011

   … setting contractual records? With the sting of the last four-plus-year deals dished out to Joe Nathan , Francisco Cordero, B . J . Ryan and Billy Wagner still fresh, breaking another barrier was going to be a tall task. But he did it. The four-year, $50 …
2. Money in the ninth: Ryan Madson deal raises bar for Jonathan Papelbon, closer market

   Columns

   11/09/2011

   … closing contracts of at least four years at a minimum of $9 million per season. Three of the closers who signed those deals ( B . J . Ryan , Billy Wagner , Nathan) lost at least one year to injury (and in the case of Ryan, it was closer to three years), one …
3. Jonathan Papelbon bracing himself for the brave new world of free agency

   Columns

   10/11/2011

   … question," he told WEEI.com in spring training) is in his sights. The days of the five-year deals afforded former closers B . J . Ryan and Billy Wagner may be a thing of the past. And the age of the four-year contract for game-enders might have taken another …
4. Attempting to unlock the future of a much-maligned Red Sox pitching staff

   Columns

   10/05/2011

   … setting the financial standard for closers one he arrived at free agency. Well, now he's here, and while there won't be any B . J . Ryan or Billy Wagner five-year deals on the horizon, the Sox' closer certainly won't move the market backwards. The thinking …
5. For McDonald, a script six years in the making

   Columns

   04/21/2010

   … rookie McDonald had the chance to observe Burks’ professionalism. The veteran worked the count full against Orioles closer B . J . Ryan , and then lined a single to center. He was then replaced by a pinch-runner. As Burks came off the field, the fans at Fenway stood …

Blogs

1. Source: Jonathan Papelbon headed to Phillies (as long as he passes his physical)

   Blog

   11/11/2011

   … most money ever allocated to a closer prior to the reported Papelbon deal was $47 million, given to Nathan (4 years) and B . J . Ryan (5 years). The highest annual average given to a closer was the $15 million per season the Yankees allocated to Mariano Rivera on two …
2. Friday Red Sox Nuggetpalooza!

   Blog

   06/17/2011

   … 2007-2008)... The Angels’ Scott Downs has made 27 straight interleague pitching appearances without allowing a run, tied (with BJ Ryan ) for the longest such streak ever. Downs’ 1.13 interleague ERA is the best career mark in the league (min. 60 IP): 1.13 – Scott Downs 1.48 – Justin Thompson 1.49 – Francisco …
3. MLB Power Rankings, 6/4: Are the Red Sox in the top 10?

   Blog

   06/04/2011

   … is an earnest but ultimately doomed candidate for State Assembly 16. Blue Jays (29-28, 16). I know they were burned on B . J . Ryan , but given the fact that John Farrell is there and Jon Rauch is what he is as a closer (OK, but just) and has a 350K buyout …
4. Gammons on Big Show: 'Pretty serious concerns about middle relief'

   Blog

   04/09/2010

   … but he only hits fastballs to left center and center. I think about a Wednesday afternoon when he hit the home run against B . J . Ryan . It was a 97 mile per hour fastball down and away and he drove it to the center field bleachers. I want to see what happens …
5. Papelbon: Nathan's injury wouldn't have affected decision

   Blog

   03/09/2010

   … are regularly dished out for starters, the days of giving the kind of five-year deals to closers, such as the one given to B . J . Ryan on Nov. 28, 2005, appear to be a thing of the past. Papelbon, even if something like Nathan occurred when he was making his switch, he …