The first domino to fall at the 2019 MLB Winter Meetings was Stephen Strasburg, who re-signed with the Washington Nationals on a record-breaking seven-year contract worth $245 million in total value.
Those numbers were shattered the very next day when the New York Yankees reeled in Gerrit Cole on an unprecedented nine-year, $324 million pact. The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly were the runner-up for his services, offering him an eight-year, $300 million contract with deferrals.
With those two officially off the board, the market for the remaining free-agent starting pitchers is beginning to take shape. Among the best available options include a trio of left-handers in Hyun-Jin Ryu, Madison Bumgarner and Dallas Keuchel.
Coming off a career year in which he posted the lowest ERA among qualified starters en route to a second-place finish in National League Cy Young Award voting, Ryu has received consideration from a handful of teams looking to upgrade their starting rotation.
The Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays, in particular, have been most connected to the 32-year-old, while the Dodgers are believed to have interest in retaining him as well.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the St. Louis Cardinals are the latest club to express interest in signing Ryu as recently met with his representatives:
Source: #STLCards showing interest in free agent Hyun-Jin Ryu. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2019
Sources: #STLCards met this week with the reps for Dallas Keuchel and Hyun-Jin Ryu — who are, of course, represented by the same agency. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2019
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays consider Ryu their best option as they search for a starter:
Source: #BlueJays believe Hyun-Jin Ryu represents their best chance to sign a major starting pitcher among the available options, but he is not yet close to making a decision. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2019
The Cardinals entering the mix for Ryu is hardly surprising considering their desire to add another frontline starting pitcher this winter. The club is also looking to find a replacement for Michael Wacha, who recently signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets.
While most of Ryu’s reported suitors reside in the American League, the Cardinals offer him a viable alternative to stay in the NL should the Dodgers decide to go in a different direction.
L.A.’s reported focus after missing out on Cole is signing longtime San Francisco Giants nemesis Bumgarner — another southpaw with an excellent track record.
To this point, the Dodgers’ only reported signing is former Oakland Athletics closer Blake Treinen on a one-year, $10 million deal.
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