"Halo Hangout," which specializes in LA Angels news on the U.S. professional sports fan columnist site "Fanside," wrote Ryu Hyun-jin's name along with Jordan Montgomery and Marcus Stroman on the 11th (Korea time) for "the three starters that the Los Angeles Angels should recruit, who missed the shorta."
"Both Montgomery and Stroman require multi-year contracts. The cost of recruiting is also considerable," the media said. "If the Angels avoid multi-year contracts and focus on the 2024 season's performance right away, Ryu Hyun-jin would be perfect."
Ryu's health was the reason he recommended a single-year contract with Ryu. In the final year of his four-year, 80-million-dollar contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last year, Ryu garnered three wins, three losses and an ERA of 3.46 in 11 games. Ryu returned to his team in August 2022 due to the aftermath of elbow ligament surgery in June, and was called a man of will until mid-September, but continued to suffer a slump at the end of the season. He has pitched in only 17 games in the last two years, and has not been receiving good reviews in the FA market.
"Thirty-six-year-old left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin is a reliable pitcher, but he has a problem that he can't throw enough balls," Halo Hangout said. "In his 10-year career in the Major League, he has started more than 30 games in only two seasons. He has started only 17 times in the last two years, 11 of which he played for the Toronto Blue Jays last year. Of course, Ryu had a solid ERA of 3.46, but once again, he only pitched in 11 games," questioning Ryu's durability.
If so, what are the benefits of Ryu's one-year contract? "The Angels will find a way for Ryu to stay healthy for a year, and they will likely take low-risk, high-return compensation measures," Halo Hangout said. "If Ryu fails to stay healthy or his productivity declines, he can leave the team after a year. On the contrary, if he shows good health, the Angels will get a solid starting pitcher to help him win. Or it could be a good trade deal."
"If Ryu Hyun-jin is the best pitcher that the Angels contract, fans will be disappointed, but it is better than nothing. The Angels have to do something now, and Ryu Hyun-jin is a pitcher with some guaranteed skills," the media said, recommending that Ryu be hired by the Angels.
Ryu is agonizing over whether to stay in the Major League and return to the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO League. For now, the local situation seems to allow him to extend his mandatory stay in the Major League. Although the New York Mets, a leading destination, announced that they would withdraw from the FA market after recruiting Sean Manaea, the San Diego Padres, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Boston Red Sox are constantly connected with Ryu, and the Angels have been included as candidates for new destinations. Of course, the Angels did not directly express their interest in the team, but it is encouraging that they are constantly mentioned in the U.S. media.
Another positive development for Ryu is that top-rated starting pitchers such as Blake Snell, Montgomery and Stroman have yet to find their new home. Usually, in the Major League, A-level resources complete contracts and then the next group of players find a new team. Ryu still has time.
https://bsc.news/post/safe-totosite-ranking-top-15-major-safe-playground-2024
