Is Ryu Hyun-jin's (36) return to Hanwha something that will never happen for the time being? There are quite a few clubs in the United States looking for Ryu Hyun-jin. 'Super Agent' Scott Boras explained Ryu Hyun-jin's popularity and reaffirmed that there is no immediate return to Korea.
Boras, Ryu Hyun-jin's agent, spoke to reporters at a general manager's meeting being held in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA on the 9th (Korean time). held a press conference and mentioned his customers. Regarding Lee Jeong-hoo, who is knocking on the Major League with the posting system in the KBO League this year, “Almost half of the Major League clubs have contacted me about Lee Jeong-hoo. For those who don't know, we brought in Masataka Yoshida. He expressed strong confidence in Lee Jeong-hoo's signing, saying, "Lee Jeong-hoo's ball-snapping technique can be used even at a high level."
He also released a statement regarding Ryu Hyun-jin, another Korean client of Boras. Reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith of 'Sportsnet Canada' posted on his SNS account, 'Boras will play in the major league in the upcoming season, Ryu Hyun-jin, not Korea. He said there was a lot of interest from major league clubs. It reaffirmed that Ryu Hyun-jin's popularity is not small.
Ryu Hyun-jin created a miracle of human victory this year. He successfully returned to the major league stage in August of this year, 14 months after undergoing elbow ligament joint surgery in June of last year. Locals were skeptical about whether Ryu Hyun-jin would return. Citing the fact that he had already undergone numerous surgeries at such a young age, there were doubts as to whether Ryu Hyun-jin would no longer be on the mound wearing a Toronto uniform.
However, Ryu Hyun-jin successfully made a comeback. Ryu Hyun-jin contributed to Toronto's starting lineup in the second half of the year with a record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and an average ERA of 3.46 in 11 games (52 innings) this year, leading the team to advance to fall baseball. However, Ryu Hyun-jin did not appear in the postseason. The four-year, $80 million contract signed ahead of the 2020 season has been finalized.
He announced that he was healthy in his comeback season from elbow surgery. This is the career of Ryu Hyun-jin, who is now a major league veteran. It is perhaps natural to pay attention to a pitcher with a brilliant career who was on the Cy Young Award voting podium. In Toronto, there is even talk of the possibility of Ryu Hyun-jin staying in Toronto. This year, Toronto's Ryu Hyun-jin, infielders Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt, Whit Merrifield, and pitcher Jordan Hicks will qualify as free agents.
Keegan Mathieson, MLB.com's Toronto reporter, said the chances of a reunion with free-agent players "are not very likely." Chapman benefits from a market where fielders are evaluated as below average. He also has excellent defense and will make a lot of money. Kiermaier will sign a multi-year contract with his performance and elite defense this year, and Hicks and Merrifield will also receive a lot of attention from other teams,' he predicted.
However, 'there is uncertainty about Alec Manoa's role next year and beyond. When Toronto explores options to strengthen the fifth position in the starting rotation, he left open the possibility of renewing Ryu Hyun-jin's contract, saying, "At least keep Ryu Hyun-jin's name in the back of your mind."
Kaitlan McGrath, a Toronto reporter for North American sports media The Athletic, also said, 'When I had Tommy John surgery last summer, I wasn't sure if I would be able to pitch again in a Toronto uniform. However, in the last two months of this season, he recovered enough to throw the ball and recorded very good results,” he said. “Ryu Hyun-jin’s return was one of Toronto’s best storylines this season, and the four-year, $80 million contract that ushered in Toronto’s competitive era. It was a wonderful ending to the contract. Although he only appeared in 11 games as a starter, he continued to receive favorable reviews, saying, "He showed that he can still beat batters with accurate commands this season."
Furthermore, 'signing Ryu Hyun-jin to a one-year contract can provide insurance to the starting pitching staff with uncertainty about Alec Manoa. He emphasized that “Ryu Hyun-jin is a popular player in the clubhouse,” reaffirming the possibility of Ryu Hyun-jin remaining.
Rotonto general manager Ross Atkins also said at the season conclusion press conference on the 13th of last month, “We will miss Chapman, Belt, and Kiermaier. “We will see opportunities to fill that hole both internally and externally,” he said, hinting at a breakup. However, regarding Ryu Hyun-jin, “Most of the pitchers except Ryu Hyun-jin are returning. Manoa is also coming back, and Ryu Hyun-jin could be an alternative,” he said, classifying the player as a player likely to renew his contract.