‘Korean Monster’ Ryu Hyun-jin (36) revealed that his next destination will be decided around the middle of next month.
When asked about his future plans, Ryu met with reporters at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, where the LG Twins and KT Wiz played the fifth game of the 2023 Baseball Korea Series (KS) on Wednesday, and said, “I have to listen to (the clubs’ proposals) first.” “I think something will come out around mid-December after the Winter Meetings. I’m waiting for it,” he said.
When asked about his own thoughts, he laughed, saying, “I don’t know yet.”
After undergoing elbow ligament reconstruction surgery last year, Ryu returned in the second half of this season and went 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB).
He is eligible for free agency after the 2023 season, when his four-year contract with Toronto expires.
Ryu has been debating between returning to the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO and staying in the MLB.
“There’s a lot of interest from big league teams,” Ryu said recently in the United States, where he is represented by mega-agent Scott Boras, “and I’ll be pitching in the United States next year. Not in Korea.”
Ryu is expected to make his decision after comparing the terms of the MLB team’s contract offer with those of Hanwha.
“I think he’ll do well,” Ryu said of Jung-hoo Lee, who is trying to make it to the MLB. “He’s the best hitter in Korea, and he’s a good player,” Ryu said.
“I think he will do well if he adapts quickly,” he encouraged.
He also talked about Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres) becoming the first Asian to win an MLB Gold Glove.
“I’m proud to be the first Korean and Asian to get it,” Ryu said. “He deserves it, and I’m sure he’s happy with it. He has a lot of days left (to play), so if he takes good care of his body, I think he will continue to do well.”
On the same day, Ryu visited KS at the invitation of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).
“It’s my first KBO game in almost 10 years,” he said, “and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
When asked about his current physical condition, he laughed and said, “It’s good.”
On the day, Ryu also met with former Hanwha manager Kim In-sa, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and KBO Commissioner Han Yong-duk, who was also a former Hanwha player.
Kim Ha-seong and Lee Jung-hoo also visited the stadium and watched the game together. 먹튀검증