“Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin, 36, is expected to join the Kansas City Royals, a small-market club.
Jim Bowden, a columnist who is the former general manager of Major League Baseball (MLB), mentioned Ryu Hyun-jin and Lee Jung-hoo while predicting the destinations and salaries of MLB’s major free agents through U.S. sports media outlet The Athletic on Monday (June 29).
“Hyun-jin Ryu is expected to sign with Kansas for a one-year, $8 million contract with incentives,” Bowden said, explaining, “Kansas City needs a proven starting pitcher to keep the team in contention and increase its competitiveness.”
There’s another reason why Bowden thinks Ryu will go to Kansas City. Kansas City could use Ryu as a trade piece.
“Kansas City acquired (closer) Aroldis Chapman this year and then traded him to the postseason-bound Texas Rangers at the trade deadline,” he said, calling it “a pretty successful investment.”
Bowden believes Kansas City will take a similar approach this year. The idea is that they could acquire Ryu as an investment.
“Hyun-jin Ryu made an impressive comeback this year after undergoing elbow ligament reconstruction surgery,” Bowden said, introducing his performance this season.
Lee Jung-hoo, 25, who is trying to make it to MLB through the posting system, is expected to sign a four-year, $60 million ($77.3 billion) contract.
“The San Francisco Giants are the most likely destination for Lee,” Bowden said. “San Francisco expects Lee to hit between 0.270 and 0.290,” he added.
“Jung-hoo has a good leadoff arm that will allow him to draw more walks than strikeouts in the KBO, and he has good outfield defense.”
Shohei Ohtani, one of the top free agents this winter, is expected to land with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is expected to sign a 10-year, $500 million ($644 million) contract with incentives.
Japanese starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is also highly sought after in the stovepipe, said he is likely to sign a seven-year contract with the New York Mets for a total of $211 million (271.9 billion won). 먹튀검증
