It’s not accurate, but if you have to take it seriously, Ryu Hyun-jin (36‧ Toronto) can be said to have exercised his free agent (FA) rights twice in his career. The first was in 2013 when he moved to the US Major League through the posting system (private competitive bidding).안전놀이터

Of course, the posting system at the time was difficult to see as a typical FA contract. Until then, it was a system in which the team that paid the highest amount in the bidding had exclusive negotiation rights. Ryu Hyun-jin did not have the freedom to choose a team. Since he had to give the amount of his posting to the original team, Hanwha, he had no choice but to lose money in negotiations on his personal salary.

In fact, Ryu Hyun-jin signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time. However, it was a large contract worth more than 60 million dollars over 6 years, including the posting amount. In order to go to the United States two years earlier, there was a situation where he had to give up a little of his financial part.

Prior to the 2019 season, Ryu Hyun-jin, who obtained real FA qualification, accepts the club’s qualifying offer (compensated FA player qualification). At the time, he could not fully prove his shoulder injury recovery, so he first received a one-year contract and chose free agency. And after a historic season in 2019, he signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Toronto ahead of the 2020 season. In a real sense, it was Ryu Hyun-jin’s first FA qualification event.

And that contract is about to end. His contract with Toronto ends at the end of this season. In 2020, his first season, he showed off his ace side and performed so outstandingly that he ranked 3rd in the American League Cy Young video poll. He steadied his rotation in 2021, although his performance sagged somewhat. However, he underwent elbow surgery in June 2022, and there was a gap of more than a year. It is a 4-year contract where good memories and bad memories coexist.

However, after returning from his injury, he is working hard. After his return, Ryu Hyun-jin recorded a good record of 3 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 2.25 in 5 games. Even though his restraint has not fully returned yet, he is on a winning streak with his outstanding command and ability to use pitches. He throws a four-seam, cutter, sinker, changeup, and curveball wherever he wants. Hitters can’t predict what the next ball will be. Delivery is the same here. It is impossible to catch something with the eye.

showed off two things. First of all, it proved that he had completely recovered from elbow surgery. It gives me confidence that it won’t hurt anymore. Second, Ryu Hyun-jin is also proving that he can still demonstrate competitiveness in the major leagues with his slow velocity. Ryu Hyun-jin’s control and command are not at a level that anyone can follow. Even if her restraint declines with age, this ability does not easily disappear.

As a result, it is predicted that demand will be sufficient even if Ryu Hyun-jin goes to the free agent market after this season. Of course, it is difficult to expect an ace-level treatment. It will be difficult for him to get a large contract like the $80 million four years ago. He will also turn 37 next year. However, there is a prospect that he will be able to receive a sufficient guarantee if he has a 1-2 year contract. There’s always a team that needs to win a district championship and needs veteran pitchers in the 3-5 starts, or veteran players who can handle the rebuilding process.

Dan Schulman, a veteran caster at SportsNet, a Canadian sports network and Toronto-based broadcaster, agreed. On the 27th, during the Cleveland match, Shulman said, “A very sharp pitcher,” and said, “Don’t forget that Hyun-jin Ryu’s contract ends (this year).”

Then, Shulman said, “We have to think about Toronto’s point of view. Well, Ryu Hyun-jin may not come back. You can think of it as let’s call it.” At the same time, “Ryu Hyun-jin is still showing 30 teams that he can do it. If he becomes a free agent, he will be a fascinating player wherever he signs.”

Shulman also expressed his personal opinion that Ryu Hyun-jin would have no problem playing in the major leagues next year, saying, “It seems that he can still be a good major league pitcher if any team believes he is perfectly healthy.”

In fact, there are many major league clubs that recruit players with relatively less experience than Ryu Hyun-jin and players with frequent injuries under 1-2 year contracts. Veteran Rich Hill also signed a one-year, $7 million contract with Pittsburgh this year. That’s how the market is these days. It has risen more than when Ryu Hyun-jin signed with Toronto. Ryu Hyun-jin also has only a problem with his contract period, and this is why a short-term contract worth more than 10 million dollars a year seems to be okay. At the current level, the scramble could be quite fierce.