Ryu Hyun-jin Returns to Former Team 'Hanwha'... Increased Expectations for Fall Baseball Playoffs
"Hanwha Eagles Are Different This Year"... Ryu Hyun-jin Stays Loyal
As news spread that 'Korean Monster' Ryu Hyun-jin is returning to his former team Hanwha, the domestic baseball scene is buzzing.
Ryu Hyun-jin pitching as a starter in a game against the Colorado Rockies in 2019. [Photo by Yonhap News]
According to baseball circles on the 20th, Ryu Hyun-jin has reached a financial agreement with Hanwha for a minimum guaranteed amount of 17 billion KRW and only final adjustments remain. Ryu's return to Hanwha is expected to be officially announced no later than the 21st. The total amount of 17 billion KRW is the highest ever for a KBO League free agent (FA) contract.
After becoming a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, Ryu initially chose to stay in Major League Baseball but was hampered by his injury history, having undergone two Tommy John surgeries. Ryu wanted a contract guaranteeing a certain number of starts and a minimum of $10 million (approximately 13.374 billion KRW), but the MLB teams he contacted offered contracts with more options than guaranteed money. Consequently, Ryu chose to return to his original team Hanwha after 12 years.
Hanwha reportedly began meticulously preparing to acquire Ryu Hyun-jin from mid-January as negotiations with MLB teams stalled. Hanwha general manager Son Hyuk even hurried back from Melbourne, Australia, the spring camp site, on the 18th to finalize the contract with Ryu. This showed how sincere the Hanwha Eagles were about signing Ryu.
Despite two Tommy John surgeries, Ryu posted a 3-3 record with a 3.46 ERA last year. In nine starts, he allowed three earned runs or fewer, and in six starts, he consistently pitched 5 to 6 innings. Even after surgery, his fastball exceeded 140 km/h, and his changeup and cutter had low batting averages against of 0.276 and 0.238 respectively, proving his value as a player.
Hanwha 'Having It All' with Ryu Hyun-jin... Kt wiz Manager Also 'On Guard'
Moon Dong-joo (Hanwha Eagles) of the South Korean national baseball team is roaring after escaping a 1 out, 2 runners on base situation in the bottom of the 6th inning with consecutive strikeouts during the final against Taiwan at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held last year. [Photo by Yonhap News]
With Ryu Hyun-jin joining to solidify a stable starting rotation, other teams' fans are showing signs of tension. The native pitcher rotation of Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Min-woo, and Moon Dong-joo will be strengthened by Pena and Sanchez. Additionally, top rookies Kim Seo-hyun and Hwang Jun-seo have shown solid skills, leading baseball fans to jokingly call Hanwha "the team that has it all." Ryu's extensive big-league experience is expected to be a positive stimulus for the young pitchers, raising expectations among Hanwha fans.
Upon hearing the news of Ryu's return, Kt wiz manager Lee Kang-chul posted on his social media, "Hanwha must be happy," anticipating that Ryu's addition will be a great boost for Hanwha. He added, "With foreign pitchers and Moon Dong-joo, adding Ryu means the four starters will operate stably. Also, An Chi-hong went to Hanwha," showing caution about Hanwha's rise.
As news of Ryu's return spread, many netizens flocked to communities of Hanwha Eagles fans, posting messages filled with anticipation for this season. One netizen said, "I will always be grateful to Ryu Hyun-jin for keeping his loyalty by returning to Hanwha," adding, "Hanwha Eagles are really different this year. They can aim not only for the postseason but also for the championship." On X (formerly Twitter), 'Ryu Hyun-jin' ranked first in real-time trends as of 3 p.m. on the 20th.
While continuing individual training domestically, Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to join Hanwha's second spring camp in Okinawa, Japan, as soon as his contract is finalized. Hanwha's last postseason appearance was five years ago (2018). After finishing third in 2018, they recorded last place for four consecutive years and barely avoided last place by finishing ninth last year. However, with Ryu's addition this season, there is speculation that the Korean baseball landscape could change, increasing fans' interest.
Ryu Hyun-jin graduated from Incheon Dongsan High School and realized his dream of turning pro with Hanwha in 2006. He then moved to Major League Baseball through posting (private competitive bidding) at the end of 2012. Before going to the U.S., Ryu's KBO League career stats over seven seasons included 190 games, 98 wins, 52 losses, 1 save, and a 2.80 ERA. In 2006, as a rookie pitcher, he achieved the pitching triple crown (leading in wins, strikeouts, and ERA) and became the first ever to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP). In MLB, he debuted with the LA Dodgers and later showcased his skills with the Toronto Blue Jays. Since Ryu had consistently said he would return to Hanwha, the enthusiasm of Hanwha Eagles fans welcoming him back is expected to remain strong for some time.
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