7 Teams Now Reportedly in Mix for Hyun-Jin Ryu as Market Heats up
Hyun-Jin Ryu remains one of the top free agents available on the market as Christmas approaches, and one of the few difference-makers still out there on the mound, following Dallas Keuchel's signing. The veteran posted a 2.32 ERA in 2019 to drive up his value this offseason.
The Dodgers should be in the hunt to retain Ryu after missing out on other top pitching talent, but the team is not alone.
There are seven teams now actively engaged in talks for free-agent starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, two who jumped in after not landing Dallas Keuchel. Ryu, who will be the next big free-agent pitcher to sign, will be rewarded handsomely after finishing 2nd in NL Cy Young race with #Dodgers
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 22, 2019
Keuchel found a home with the Chicago White Sox Saturday, and teams that have held out on signing starting pitchers may be panicking. That is why Ryu is getting so much attention right now.
Ryu already entered the offseason as a top free agent. Then, pitchers like Stephen Strasburg, Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner, Cole Hamels, and Keuchel found homes. The price for Ryu only goes up if he decides to sit back and consider the offers.
The #BlueJays have made offers for Hyun-jin Ryu and Edwin Encarnacion, per @JonHeyman.https://t.co/PDgs74tDbG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 21, 2019
Keuchel got a three-year deal worth $55.5 million. Bumgarner received a five-year deal for $85 million. Ryu should command something in the annual range of $15-$20 million and the fact he is one of the best pitchers remaining could push that toward the higher end of the scale. Naturally, it's notable that a few teams appear to have jumped in only after losing out on Keuchel, proving this could get heated quickly out of desperation.
Seven teams engaging in a bidding war is great news for Ryu's bank account.