MLB Pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu Expected to Secure $11.2 Million Deal

Local media forecast that Hyun Jin Ryu will sign a contract worth approximately $11.2 million.

The American media outlet, The Athletic, highlighted the players remaining in the current free agent (FA) market on the 25th. Previously, The Athletic had ranked Hyun Jin Ryu 36th in this stove league FA ranking.

The Athletic analyzed the current situation, saying, “Starting pitchers have always been strong in the FA market,” and “Even now, when the supply of starting pitchers has significantly decreased, many teams are still waiting to check the players.”

They praised Hyun Jin Ryu, Mike Clevinger, and Michael Lorenzen as players who provided stability to the starting lineup. They predicted that Hyun Jin Ryu would sign a contract worth $11 million for one year.

News recently broke that 35-year-old left-handed pitcher James Paxton signed a contract with the LA Dodgers. Paxton signed a contract for $11 million for one year, with an additional $1 million each for the opening roster entry bonus and performance incentives for the 2024 season. If Paxton fulfills all conditions, he will receive $13 million.

Paxton underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021, missed the whole 2022 season, and returned in 2023 to record seven wins and five losses with an earned run average of 4.50. Paxton is a power pitcher, unlike Hyun Jin Ryu, but it is expected to be a benchmark for Ryu’s contract.

The Athletic stated, “The Baltimore Orioles and the Dodgers are ones of the teams that have not yet meaningfully resolved the starting rotation, and the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox recruited starting pitchers, but they can certainly add more.”

Meanwhile, Hyun Jin Ryu’s agent, Scott Boras, shows significant movement. Starting with Paxton, Boras’ clients Joey Gallo signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals for $5 million, Rhys Hoskins signed a two-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for $34 million, and Matt Moore signed a one-year contract with the LA Angels for $9 million.

Boras is known for waging a long conflict until he gets his desired offer. The 2024 spring camp opens in mid-February, and Hyun Jin Ryu’s destination is expected to be decided soon.