MLB.com romantically envisions left-handed pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, 36, reuniting with the Los Angeles Dodgers after becoming a free agent .As part of its “10 Player and Organization Reunions We’d Love to See” list on Feb. 2, MLB.com recalled Ryu’s connection to the Dodgers .Ryu, who began his professional career in 2006 with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Professional Baseball Organization (KPB), sought to come to the U.S. through a non-tender offer in 2013 and signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Dodgers. The Dodgers paid Hanwha a transfer fee of $25.73 million at the time .Ryu appeared in 126 games for the Dodgers through 2019, posting a 54-33 record with one save and a 2.98 ERA. MLB.com wrote, “Ryu had his moments (due to injuries), but when he was healthy, he was dominant on the mound.” “In 2019, he started 29 games and went 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA, finishing second in the National League Cy Young Award voting,” Ryu recalled.
Ryu was eligible for free agency after the 2019 season and signed a four-year, $80 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. While MLB.com noted that “Ryu has been bothered by injuries more often since joining Toronto, and his effectiveness has declined from his time with the Dodgers,” they also noted that “Ryu can still be a valuable pitcher with careful management. Remember, the Dodgers have a whole season to think about their starting rotation in 2023,” he said, adding that the Dodgers could still utilize Ryu appropriately. Born in 1987, Ryu underwent ACL surgery on his left elbow last June and returned to the big leagues this year, going 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 11 games.
He proved his competitiveness in the big leagues by utilizing his fastball and a variety of pitches .Due to his age and surgical history, Ryu hasn’t received much attention in the free agent market. However, many local media outlets in the U.S. have described him as “a pitcher who could be a good fit for a team in need of a starter .Ryu’s agent, Scott Boras, said, “There’s a lot of interest from big league teams,” and he expects Ryu to stay in the big leagues, saying, “I think he’ll be pitching in the United States next year. “Ryu is also open to the possibility of returning to South Korea. Ryu was not a “KBO free agent” when he entered the major leagues. If Ryu decides to return to Korea, he would have to sign with Hanwha.MLB.com predicted a reunion between Elvis Andrus and Texas, Aroldis Chapman and the Cincinnati Reds, 온라인카지노 Josh Donaldson and the Oakland Athletics, and more.
