Specific predictions have been made regarding the free agent contract of Toronto Blue Jays Ryu Hyun-jin (36). Currently, it is difficult to sign a multi-year contract as a 5-inning pitcher, but it is expected that a one-year contract worth $12 million (approximately 16 billion won) will be possible.
On the 9th (hereinafter referred to as Korean time), the American sports media ‘Bleacher Report’ said, ‘There are players who need to prove that they are worth a large investment in the remaining weeks of the regular season,’ and that the completion of the season is important for major league reserve free agent players. 10 people were selected. Players who had been out for a long period of time due to injury or who needed to make up for their slump were eligible for selection.메이저사이트
The media reported, ‘Ryu Hyun-jin, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June of last year, missed most of 2022 and the first two-thirds of this season. Given that he struggled in 2021, it was reasonable to worry that he wouldn’t be able to get close again to the levels that earned him a two-time Cy Young finalist with a 2.30 ERA in 56 games as a starter from 2018-2020. However, he praised Ryu Hyun-jin for successfully rebounding after his return, saying, “Ryu Hyun-jin is showing surprisingly solid form after his return.”
The media then reported, ‘In his second start, Ryu Hyun-jin injured the inside of his right knee (hit by a batted ball), but pitched 4 innings with no hitter. Six days later, against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched 5 scoreless innings, but he pitched only 5 innings in 6 of his 7 starts. Five innings seems to be his new average. “It is understandable that Toronto is limiting the number of pitches for recovery, but if this situation continues, it will be difficult to see Ryu Hyun-jin as more than a fifth starter in the upcoming free agency negotiations,” he pointed out.
After returning, Ryu Hyun-jin pitched 5 innings in all of them except for the Cleveland Guardians game (4 innings) on the 8th of last month, when he missed due to injury after being hit by a batted ball. He was on the mound in the 6th inning in only two games, and the maximum number of pitches was 86. Although he is under management shortly after returning from injury, questions about his ability to digest innings may be raised in the free agent market. As of now, it is evaluated as a 5th choice.
The media said, ‘If Ryu Hyun-jin plays more than 6 innings against the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Yankees in the remaining season, it will cause a big stir. Although it is unlikely that a multi-year contract will be guaranteed, Corey Kluber (Boston) and Johnny Cueto (Miami Marlins), who were the same age as Ryu Hyun-jin last offseason, signed one-year contracts worth $10 million and $8.5 million, respectively. “The fact that both pitchers were ineffective this year may be a bit of a hindrance to Ryu Hyun-jin’s free agent contract,” he explained.
Kluber and Cueto, both 37 years old and born in 1986 and one year older than Ryu Hyun-jin, are both performing poorly this year due to injuries. Kluber’s season ended in mid-June due to a shoulder injury after an extremely difficult season with 3 wins, 6 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 7.04 in 15 games (9 starts, 55 innings). Cueto also appeared in only 8 games (7 starts, 37 ⅓ innings) due to a biceps injury, and struggled with 1 win, 3 losses, and an ERA of 5.54.
Although veteran pitchers in their late 30s, who are at high risk of injury, have shown their limitations, starting pitchers are always in demand in the market. The media expected, ‘If Ryu Hyun-jin finishes strong, he will be able to easily sign a one-year contract worth $12 million, which includes incentives for the number of starts and a second-year option.’ Although it is difficult to guarantee a multi-year contract, he predicted a higher salary than Kluber and Cueto last year and gave a positive outlook on Ryu Hyun-jin’s free agent contract.
Meanwhile, Hyun-jin Ryu, shortstop Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox), outfielder Michael Conforto (San Francisco Giants), pitcher Jack Flaherty (Baltimore Orioles), first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo (Minnesota Twins), and pitcher Lucas Giolito (Cleveland Guardians). ), pitcher Seth Lugo (San Diego Padres), pitcher James Paxton (Boston), shortstop Amedo Rosario, and second baseman Colton Wong (LA Dodgers) are on the list of prospective free agents who need to increase their value for the remainder of the season.