Ryu Hyun-jin finished the 2023 season on the 5th (Korean time). This is because the Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Minnesota Twins in the American League Wild Card Series (ALWS). He appeared as a starting pitcher in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on August 2 and announced his return to the big league after completing a long rehabilitation of one year and two months. After his return, he appeared in 11 games and proved his class with 3 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 3.46 in 52 innings, but unfortunately, he was excluded from the ALWS entry and did not enter the fall baseball stage. When the season ended with Toronto's loss, he qualified as a free agent, ending his four-year stay with Toronto.
After his return, he showed off his health by showing good pitching based on his excellent ball control. ‘FA Ryu Hyun-jin’ is a ‘hot potato’ in the transfer market, with articles pouring in almost every day both domestically and locally. There was a possibility that he would return to Korea after this season, but he directly stated that he hopes to remain in the major leagues, so his return to Korea was virtually canceled. So, which team is likely to be Ryu Hyun-jin's next major league destination?
First, he can sign a new contract with Toronto. This is because Ryu Hyun-jin has shown off his health, and it is difficult to see a pitcher in Toronto who can replace Ryu Hyun-jin. Alec Manoa, who was assigned to Toronto's 5th starting position this season, fell into a severe slump with 3 wins, 9 losses, and an ERA of 5.87. After Ryu Hyun-jin's return from injury, he was excluded from the starting rotation, and spent the last two months of the season in the minor league's Triple A. External alternatives to Ryu Hyun-jin include Blake Snell (San Diego Padres) and Clayton Kershaw (LA Dodgers), who are on the free agent market. However, it is unlikely that they will move to Toronto. Not only is it not easy to compete with other teams, but they are also a burden to Toronto, which currently has many starting pitchers who have signed large long-term contracts.
Toronto general manager Ross Atkins said in a recent interview with local media, "Most of the pitching staff except Ryu Hyun-jin will return. There is also Alec Manoa, but Ryu Hyun-jin could also be an alternative." There was room for a contract renewal with Ryu Hyun-jin. Locally, it is expected that Ryu Hyun-jin will not remain in Toronto, but it is difficult to rule out the possibility of his contract being renewed.
There were also rumors of Ryu Hyun-jin's return to the LA Dodgers. If Ryu Hyun-jin heads to the Dodgers, he can fill the void left by Kershaw. Kershaw, who has performed poorly in the recent postseason, will become a free agent after this season. Therefore, Ryu Hyun-jin's return to the Dodgers is not an absurd prospect.
First, he can sign a new contract with Toronto. This is because Ryu Hyun-jin has shown off his health, and it is difficult to see a pitcher in Toronto who can replace Ryu Hyun-jin. Alec Manoa, who was assigned to Toronto's 5th starting position this season, fell into a severe slump with 3 wins, 9 losses, and an ERA of 5.87. After Ryu Hyun-jin's return from injury, he was excluded from the starting rotation, and spent the last two months of the season in the minor league's Triple A. External alternatives to Ryu Hyun-jin include Blake Snell (San Diego Padres) and Clayton Kershaw (LA Dodgers), who are on the free agent market. However, it is unlikely that they will move to Toronto. Not only is it not easy to compete with other teams, but they are also a burden to Toronto, which currently has many starting pitchers who have signed large long-term contracts.
Toronto general manager Ross Atkins said in a recent interview with local media, "Most of the pitching staff except Ryu Hyun-jin will return. There is also Alec Manoa, but Ryu Hyun-jin could also be an alternative." There was room for a contract renewal with Ryu Hyun-jin. Locally, it is expected that Ryu Hyun-jin will not remain in Toronto, but it is difficult to rule out the possibility of his contract being renewed.
There were also rumors of Ryu Hyun-jin's return to the LA Dodgers. If Ryu Hyun-jin heads to the Dodgers, he can fill the void left by Kershaw. Kershaw, who has performed poorly in the recent postseason, will become a free agent after this season. Therefore, Ryu Hyun-jin's return to the Dodgers is not an absurd prospect.
