Several days before Rich Hill, Russell Martin and Hyun-Jin Ryu officially became free agents, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman declined to handicap the likelihood of re-signing any of the three.
With the Dodgers’ shocking loss to the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series still wearing off, Friedman explained he had yet to fully immerse himself into free agency, potential roster changes and the offseason as a whole.
Although Ryu may not be sought after with the same fervor as fellow free agents Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, the left-hander doesn’t exactly figure to have a shortage of suitors.
However, the general belief across MLB is Ryu ultimately will re-sign with the Dodgers, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Ryu will surely receive interest from other clubs after posting a league-leading 2.32 ERA in 182 2/3 innings last season, but the consensus around the league is that the left-hander wants to stay in Los Angeles and the Dodgers would like to bring him back.
Because Ryu was extended — and accepted — the qualifying offer after the 2018 season, he was not eligible to receive the one-year pact this offseason. Therefore, unlike with Cole and Strasburg, any team that signs Ryu would not face the need to surrender draft compensation.
The 32-year-old is coming off a season that has him in the thick of the NL Cy Young discussion, and has now put together back-to-back impressive years after his career had become marred by injuries.
Agent Scott Boras proclaimed the best is still ahead for Ryu and he argued the southpaw is at least five years younger than his age when being evaluated by number of innings pitched.
A market for Ryu has yet to truly take shape thus far in free agency, which may remain the case until Cole and Strasburg make their respective decisions. There’s been an early indication the Dodgers have interest in Cole despite the club avoiding long-term contracts under Friedman.
Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers reportedly scouted Ryu throughout this past season and could make a play to sign him.
The Dodgers are the only MLB organization Ryu has known since signing out of the Korea Baseball Organization prior to the 2013 season.
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