Jays reach agreement with Ryan
B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays have reached a preliminary agreement on a $47 million, five-year contract, a high-ranking baseball official said Friday.
Ryan, a left-hander who turns 30 next month, is getting the largest deal given to a reliever, topping the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera had with the New York Yankees from 2001-04. Rivera just completed the first season of a $21 million, two-year deal with the Yankees.
The baseball official spoke on condition of anonymity because Toronto had not yet announced the agreement.
“We’re still talking to him,” Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. “To me, this whole thing is premature.”
Ricciardi said he did not anticipate any announcements during the weekend. Pat Rooney, Ryan’s agent, did not return a telephone call seeking comment.
Ryan’s agreement with Toronto was first reported by the New York Daily News on its Web site.
He had 36 saves in 41 chances last season for the Baltimore Orioles and went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He had a $2.6 million base salary, earned $200,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished and $25,000 for making the A.L. All-Star team.
Thome deal finalized
The Philadelphia Phillies and the White Sox on Friday completed their deal that sends slugger Jim Thome to Chicago for center fielder Aaron Rowand.
The trade was announced Wednesday, but wasn’t official until the players passed their physicals. Philadelphia also gets minor league left-hander Daniel Haigwood and a player to be named later.
The Phillies are reportedly giving the White Sox $22 million as part of the deal.
Around the majors
New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya said the team had made offers to a pair of free-agent catchers, Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez. He also refused to rule out trying to acquire Manny Ramirez from Boston, although he wouldn’t go into specifics. … The Los Angeles Dodgers have received permission to interview Tampa Bay Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren for their vacant managerial job. … The New York Yankees are boosting the price of many of their best box seats over $100.