Fan News

In a somewhat surprising move today, the Toronto Blue Jays have cut ties with former All-Star relief pitcher B.J. Ryan.

The Blue Jays signed Ryan to a mammoth five-year deal, which was the largest ever for a reliever at the time, following the 2005 season.

Ryan, who was the Blue Jays' closer as recently as this year, has struggled mightily this entire season. In 20.2 innings pitched, Ryan posted an ERA hovering near seven, which is more than double his career ERA (3.37).

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says that the Kansas City Royals "do not seem terribly inclined" to deal away Mark Teahen.

Now, I being a huge Royals fan am kind of split on this subject. I like Mark Teahen; he might be my favorite Royals player. But he's not an All-Star and most likely won't be.

Last night, before the Mets got blasted to smithereens by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 8-0 loss, Mets GM Omar Minaya addressed the media, again, about the Mets current injury status and its affect on the club for the rest of the season and beyond. 

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Last place awaits the loser of today's game in Arizona. The SHAME of it all. Padres fans deserve better than this, and yet quietly, the NOT fire sale is on again. It's been going on since the Padres traded future All-Star pitcher Fred Norman for a bag of used baseballs back in 1972.

In dealing dependable outfielder Scott Hairston to Oakland last week, the brass resent a message to the players that no one is safe. Padre players should not be surprised. That's how it's done here in San Diego. Here today, a Brewer tomorrow...

The teams that contend and make the playoffs are usually the teams that have the most well rounded and productive benches. A team is only as good as its weakest players.

It takes 25 men to win a championship. 162 games is a long season, spaced out over 180 days. The teams that do contend are able to do so because of a good bench. Everyday starters, despite the name, do not play 162 games per year anymore.

A's fans like myself really appreciate Andrew Bailey.

The rookie righthander has emerged from obscurity to become one of the best relievers in baseball this season. Using a devastating cutter/curveball combo, Bailey has carved up the American League with a 2.67 FIP.

That said, Bailey's not the best reliever on the team. And the guy better than him doesn't get nearly as much recognition.

Michael Wuertz has been the best reliever on the A's.

I know Bailey's got the saves and the flashier ERA, but bear with me.

Albert Pujols is good; almost as good as winning a million bucks.

But is he good enough to make baseball forget the dark times it has been through the better half of this decade?

That seems to be the million-dollar question. If Pujols sets the home run records, season or career, does he take a rightful seat on the throne as Home Run King?

We've seen this story before. A slugger blazes a pace with long balls, he denies using steroids or any other performance-enhancing drugs, and because baseball is desperate for a role model, we believe.