A new destination for free agent Ryu Hyun-jin (37), who is seeking to remain in the major leagues, has emerged. The LA Angels have a hole in their starting rotation due to the transfer of Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers).
On the 11th (Korean time), ‘Halo Hangout’, which specializes in news about the LA Angels on the US professional sports fan columnist site ‘Fansied
featured ‘3 starting pitchers the LA Angels should recruit after missing Shota Imanaga’. 지울프-토토
Ryu Hyun-jin’s name was written along with Jordan Montgomery and Marcus Stroman.
The media said, “Both Montgomery and Stroman are pitchers who need multi-year contracts.
The cost of recruiting is not that small,” he said, adding, “If the Angels want to avoid a multi-year contract and focus only on the performance of the 2024 season, Ryu Hyun-jin is a perfect fit.”
The reason Ryu Hyun-jin’s one-year contract was recommended was because of his health.
Ryu Hyun-jin entered the final year of his four-year, $80 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays last year
leaving with 3 wins and 3 losses in 11 games and an average ERA of 3.46. Due to the aftermath of elbow ligament joint surgery in June 2022
he returned in August, and cruised along as a man of will until mid-September, but continued to slump due to a sluggish performance at the end of the season. He has appeared in only 17 games over the past two years and is not well received in the free agent market.
Halo Hangout said, “36-year-old left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin is a reliable pitcher, but he has the problem of not being able to throw enough pitches,” adding
In Ryu Hyun-jin’s 10-year major league career, he started more than 30 games in only two seasons.
He has only made 17 starts over the last two years, 11 of which came last year with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Of course, his ERA was solid at 3.46, but again, Ryu Hyun-jin only appeared in 11 games,” he said, casting a question mark on Ryu Hyun-jin’s durability.
So what is the merit of Ryu Hyun-jin’s one-year contract? Halo Hangout said
The Angels will find a way to keep Ryu Hyun-jin healthy for a year, and will likely take a low-risk, high-reward compensation measure,” adding
If Ryu Hyun-jin does not stay healthy or his productivity decreases, 1 You can leave the team at the end of the year. Conversely, if he appears healthy
the Angels will have a solid starting pitcher who can help them win. “Or it could be a good trade item.”
The media said, “If Ryu Hyun-jin is the best pitcher the Angels sign, fans will be disappointed, but it is better than nothing.
The Angels need to do something now, and Ryu Hyun-jin is a pitcher with some level of skill guaranteed,” he said, recommending the Angels recruit Ryu Hyun-jin.
Ryu Hyun-jin is currently debating whether to remain in the Major League or return to the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League.
First of all, the local situation looks like an extension of his Major League career might be possible.
The New York Mets, who were a likely destination, announced their withdrawal from the free agent market after recruiting Sean Manea, but the San Diego Padres
Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox are steadily being linked to Ryu Hyun-jin, and on this day
the Angels were also included as candidates for a new destination.
Of course, the Angels team has not directly expressed interest, but it is encouraging that it continues to be mentioned in the American media.
The fact that the league’s top starting players, such as Blake Snell, Montgomery, and Stroman
have not yet found a new home is also good news for Ryu Hyun-jin.
In the Major League, after Grade A players complete their contracts, the next group of players finds a new team. There is still time left for Ryu Hyun-jin.