“There are plenty of starting pitchers worth between $15 and $20 million to replace Ryu Hyun-jin.”

The fateful fall has arrived for Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays). After the fierce American League wild card battle with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners until this month, the final report card of the four-year $80 million (approximately 106.2 billion won) contract he spent in Toronto will be released.

Last August, Ryu Hyun-jin completed his second Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation and successfully returned one year and two months later. He has 3 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 2.93 in 8 games.토토사이트 Although he recently lost two games in a row, he also established a quality start (5 hits, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, 3 runs in 6 innings) for the first time since his return in the home game against Texas on the 13th (Korean time).

The hitting percentage of 0.220 and WHIP of 1.05 are better than the 2020 season (hitting percentage of 0.234, WHIP 1.15), which was the best since the transfer. As he recovers, he comes out with a super slow curve and once again targets major league hitters with a reverse idea. His game management ability, control of strength and weakness, and command of each type of pitch are among the best in the major league.

After this season, he will become a free agent again. At this time, the value of Ryu Hyun-jin as viewed by the major leagues is clearly revealed. Ryu Hyun-jin’s return to Hanwha in the KBO League can virtually be erased from next year’s destination. The prevailing view is that if there is demand in the major leagues, he will remain. There is always a demand for cost-effective 4-5 starters.

Jay’s Journal, which covers Toronto in FanSided, analyzed Toronto’s payroll for the 2024 season on the 13th (Korean time) and said that if Toronto does not want to pay the luxury tax for two consecutive years, parting ways with several free agents is inevitable. This season’s luxury tax standard was $233 million, and it is expected to be $237 million next year.

Toronto’s Hyun-jin Ryu, along with Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt, Kevin Kiermaier, and Jordan Hicks, will become eligible for free agency at the end of this season. Whit Merrifield is also a free agent if he does not exercise his option. Leading hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a free agent after the 2025 season. Although it has been going downhill for the past two years, it is true that it is time to consider whether or not we will continue together in the long run. In addition, there are numerous players eligible for salary adjustment.

It may not be noticeable that one Ryu Hyun-jin’s salary is missing, but he may be excluded in the process of carefully adjusting the salary. There is nothing wrong with Ryu Hyun-jin looking for another team in the free agent market. They showed their competitiveness again, but pitchers Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) and Julio Urias (LA Dodgers) are missing for various reasons.

Jay’s Journal predicted that Toronto’s payroll next year will be at least $200 million to close to $237 million. He said, “If we decide not to impose the luxury tax for two consecutive years, we can sign free agents to replace Ryu Hyun-jin, Chapman, Belt, Kiermaier, Maryhild, and Hicks.” He said, “There are plenty of starting pitcher options in the $15 million to $20 million range in the free agent market to replace Ryu Hyun-jin.”

Ultimately, it is predicted that Toronto may be passive in signing a contract with Ryu Hyun-jin. The Jays Journal instead recommended recruiting free agent players such as Ohtani, Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), and Teoscar Hernández (Seattle Mariners). If we catch Otani, we must be prepared to be subject to luxury tax.