Dodgers’ Free Agency Preview: Hyun-Jin Ryu

While such an early elimination was not the intended result, it gives the Dodgers an opportunity to evaluate their shortcomings. Looking at several memorable players becoming free agents this off season, Hyun-Jin Ryu is one that will grab most of the attention.

The 2019 season was a career year for Dodgers’ ace Hyun-Jin Ryu. He led the league in ERA (2.32) and BB/9 (1.2) while pitching the second-most innings in his career (182.2). Ryu was a massive part of the Dodgers’ success and – alongside Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw – led the team to its seventh consecutive division title while boasting the best team ERA in the league.

A client of iconic sports agent Scott Boras, Ryu will be looking for an upgrade in his contract this offseason. When he became a free agent for the first time in MLB last season, he accepted the Dodgers’ qualifying offer of one-year, $17.9 million. With the Korean southpaw coming off a Cy Young Award-worthy year, the demand for his name will be extremely high.

No More Parties in LA?

Obviously, it is more than just a possibility that Ryu will stay with the Dodgers. Ever since he started pitching in the major leagues back in 2013, he has been one of the few faces to remain a Dodger after six years. With one of the biggest markets for South Korean fans being in LA, it would make sense to re-sign.

When Ryu was out with a critical shoulder injury in 2015, there were plenty of doubts surrounding the return of ‘The Monster‘. Historically, shoulder injuries that required surgery did not favor Ryu’s chances of pitching at his best. But it did not matter to the Dodgers, as they were able to bring Ryu back to full health. A few years later, they have reaped the rewards.

But under poor management and leadership, along with significant bullpen issues, it is difficult to see the Dodgers ending their 30+ years of World Series drought any time soon. This leaves a question for us to answer: What is Ryu really looking for in this free agency? Depending on the answer, whether it is money, legacy, or any other motivation, his destination could change drastically.

Do not be surprised if Ryu does end up leaving the Dodgers. While the team has been a source of growth, he may see better chances of winning a championship elsewhere.

Overlooked, but Not Overvalued

With Ryu coming off a career year, it will be interesting to see how his market value will line up. Boras has already played up Ryu’s value, calling him ‘the best pitcher in the league’ this season. While it is tough to see a scenario where Ryu is overvalued, it is quite possible to see the opposite.

The largest contract ever signed by a South Korean baseball player was Shin-Soo Choo back in 2014 when he signed a seven-year contract worth $130 million. Ryu may break this record, as there is always a large demand for elite left-handed starters in modern baseball.

It is undeniable that there is a significant difference between American and foreign leagues for Asian players in terms of marketing and popularity. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, there are only a handful of cities in the US that have a significant enough market for Asian-Americans. Usually, Asian players gravitate towards teams that either lay along the west coast or are located in large cities. For instance, Seattle, New York, and both Los Angeles teams are best-known for dabbling in the Asian player market. Second, the nationality of players is a factor when fans choose their favorite player/team. This boosts the likelihood of Caucasian and Hispanic players becoming more popular compared to Asian players, who mostly fly across the world to play in the MLB. This is not a bad thing, but simply a way to explain how things work due in terms of markets and money.

With that being said, Ryu could sign a historic contract this off-season. Ryu has never been acknowledged to the extent that he should have, until this season at least. It was an eye-opener for many baseball fans to watch Ryu compete for the most prestigious pitching award for an entire season. Ryu is most likely going to get the recognition he has deserved as a free agent, regardless of interested teams.

Final Value

As previously mentioned, Ryu will be in high demand. The annual salary will be a major factor when it comes to Ryu’s contract. With his recent success, it will take a hefty chunk of any team’s free agency spending.

In terms of free agents available this off-season, Ryu’s name belongs at the absolute top other top-shelf starting pitchers. This bunch includes the likes of Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, and Madison Bumgarner.

Ryu, since accepting his qualifying offer last year, has already been on a great contract. But expect a skyrocket in salary this off-season, whomever he decides to sign with.