logo
Scott Boras confirms Hyun Jin Ryu will pitch in MLB next season, receiving high-volume interest
alt
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas Hall
Nov 8, 2023, 16:32 EST
Comments
An off-season can’t truly begin until super agent Scott Boras speaks in front of a large contingent of reporters, and he did just that – in his usual pun-spewing fashion – at the annual GM meetings in Arizona on Wednesday.
Among the several topics covered, Boras was asked about the status of left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu, who finished a four-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays this past season and is currently at home in Korea. While the 36-year-old’s future seemed uncertain heading into this off-season, the free-agent starter’s agent revealed he has already garnered plenty of interest from potential big-league suitors this winter.
Boras also confirmed Ryu will return to North America in 2024 to continue his MLB career instead of wrapping up his playing days in the KBO – a commitment he still intends to fulfill before announcing his retirement.
Ryu made four minor-league starts in his return from Tommy John surgery before rejoining the Blue Jays’ starting rotation last August, posting a 3.46 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 52.0 innings in 11 starts. He was left off the franchise’s playoff roster during their wild-card series against the Minnesota Twins.
The left-handed hurler stated he was unsure about where he’d play in 2024 upon returning to Korea last month, saying, “I don’t know what to tell you at this point. I think we’ll have to wait and see. Only time will tell.”
After spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryu signed as a free agent with the Blue Jays during the 2019-20 off-season, marking the beginning of his four-year stint with the organization. He logged 315.0 innings over 60 starts, earning a 3.97 ERA while registering 269 punchouts, worth a combined 4.9 fWAR.
The COVID-shortened 2020 campaign was his best statistical performance, where he shined to a 2.69 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 12 starts, leading to a third-place finish in the AL Cy Young race.
In addition to Ryu, Boras shared his thoughts on Cody Bellinger’s free-agent market, claiming the Chicago Cubs reaped the rewards of the All-Star’s bounce-back performance and must pony up a lucrative contract to retain his services.
That is certainly noteworthy for the Blue Jays’ front office, which will likely express interest in the 2019 NL MVP this winter – if they haven’t already.
Boras also believes the Boston Red Sox will act aggressively in free agency after finishing last in the AL East Division in 2023 at 78-84. With Craig Breslow running his first off-season as the franchise’s chief baseball officer, replacing his predecessor Chaim Bloom, he could be looking to set a tone ahead of next season.
The Red Sox are operating with a projected Competitive Balance Tax payroll – or luxury tax payroll – of just under $190 million for 2024, positioning them almost $50 million below the $237 million luxury tax threshold.
Ian Browne
Ian Browne
@IanMBrowne
·Follow

Scott Boras on if he thinks the Red Sox will be more aggressive after the shift in management: “We met with them as we do with new presidents, general managers, they certainly appeared as though they really wanted to remove themselves from the standing of where they’re at now and

131
Reply
Read 5 replies
Baseball’s most infamous agent also could help himself from making a Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce reference during his media availability.
It is never a dull moment when Boras takes centre stage – which he talks his way onto – at the start of MLB free agency.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO

Featured

News

Breaking News