Former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu is likely done as a major league pitcher after signing a lucrative deal to return to Korea.
He'll pitch in the KBO for the Hanwha Eagles, signing a record-setting eight-year deal worth more than $12 million US dollars.
Per Jeeho Yoo on social media:
Hyun-Jin Ryu has signed an 8-year, 17 billion won ($12.8 million) contract to reunite with the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO. The deal has an opt-out clause but the team didn't disclose details. Not a 4-year pact as had been expected earlier.
Ryu is going to turn 37 years old in March so there's a possibility he doesn't finish out the terms of the contract, but if he wants to play until 45 in his homeland, more power to him.
Ryu spent 10 years in the big leagues with the Dodgers and Blue Jays and owns a 78-48 lifetime record. He's pitched to a sterling 3.27 ERA and led baseball in ERA (2.32) back in 2019.
He also made the All-Star team that same season and won double-digit games in four separate years.
While clearly Ryu wanted to return home to Korea, he did have major league interest this offseason. We recently heard him connected to the San Diego Padres, for instance. However, by going back to Korea, he guarantees himself a prominent role on a staff and more money - in addition to the chance to pitch in front of the crowds that saw him start his excellent professional career.
More must-reads: