FanHouse BJRyan

We're two weeks deep in baseball and there's been a lot of shifting in value already. In order to make the proper roster moves and know what to look for when you begin trade negotiations, it helps to understand the perceived value shifts that happen each week. So that's when we bust out the complex algorithms and determine who's up and who's down.

Evan Longoria, 3B, TB -- Tee. Hee. Yes, that's correct. I'm flat out giddy over Longoria's call up. He picked up a ribeye on his very first hit and then followed it up last night with is first major league double and then his first major league home run. You should have already added him in every league you play in (or should be doing that right now .... ) And I've heard some people say that there are better, cheaper options for the same type of player; please. Longoria bleeds upside.
B.J. Ryan, CL, TOR -- Ryan missed all of last season after J.P. Ricciardi kind of/sort of tricked everyone into thinking he was healthy. Now he's back and he's closing already. He also looked like he might have dropped some LB's since he last pitched, which never hurt anyone. A very nice add on an underrated Toronto team, although if he gets too hot it might be worth a sell.

BJ Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery less than ten months ago, but he's already getting close to regular-season form and is aiming for an opening day return. He hasn't pitched since April 14th, 2007, and he's itching to get back up on the mound. He showed up to Spring Training in tip top shape and thus far his "rehearsals" have gone well:

"I[My arm] feels stronger, and I feel like I can do more with it. I still try not to do too much, too fast, but on the other hand, I need to get ready to get out there and pitch in some games. Now is not the time to really be holding back a lot."

His in-game debut won't come until Saturday, but he's already gotten in some good practice. He's thrown batting practice and yesterday threw 18 pitches in a simulated game against some mini-Jays (minor leaguers, that is), striking out two and allowing two hits.

He obviously feels good and his excitement to get back into the ring is a great sign. My concern, though, is the length of time he's spent rehabbing. On opening day it will have been less than 11 months since his May 10th, 2007 surgery -- most folks that have the Tommy John don't return to action for at least a year (or in Pavano's case, ever). What do you think, Jays fans? Will he be ready? Are you concerned?

Count me among those who figured the Blue Jays to improve upon last year's second-place finish in 2007. Then they lost B.J. Ryan for the season. And Frank Thomas and Vernon Wells forgot how to hit. And pretty much every starter hit the DL. And the team slowly dissolved in the standings.

But the Jays appear to be making their biggest statement in the season's final weeks, albeit in the role of spoiler -- a role they're playing pretty damn well. Last night, powered by an eighth-inning Russ Adams grand slam, the Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Red Sox, cutting Boston's division lead from 4.5 to 1.5 games in the blink of an eye.

And tomorrow, they open a four game series in Yankee Stadium where they can continue to impact the race.

"It's always fun to get a sweep," Adams said. "But to be playing in games that matter in the grand scheme of things of what's going on in the American League, it's fun to be a part of it. It was back-to-back exciting nights here at the Rogers Centre."

Making baseball in Toronto fun again? Hey, we'll drink to that.