Ryu Hyun-jin Returns to Hanwha... 17 Billion Won Over 8 Years

Yang Eui-ji's Record-Breaking 15.2 Billion KRW Highest Total Contract
Includes Opt-Out Clause... Expected 100th Win Early Next Year

Ryu Hyun-jin (36) has returned to his former team, the Hanwha Eagles, after 12 years.

The Hanwha Eagles announced on the 22nd, "We have signed Ryu Hyun-jin to an 8-year contract worth up to 17 billion KRW." Ryu debuted in the professional league in 2006 and played seven seasons in the Hanwha uniform until 2012 before moving to Major League Baseball (MLB). In MLB, Ryu spent 11 years in total, seven seasons with the Los Angeles (LA) Dodgers and four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, before returning to Hanwha.

Hanwha honored Ryu with the highest contract amount in KBO League history, 17 billion KRW. This surpassed the previous highest total contract of 15.2 billion KRW over 4+2 years signed by Yang Eui-ji with the Doosan Bears ahead of the 2023 season, breaking the record within a year.

The contract terms include an opt-out clause allowing Ryu to declare free agency (FA) during the contract period and terminate the existing contract.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

Through the club, Ryu said, "I am grateful to the club for allowing me to return with the highest treatment in the KBO League. The Hanwha Eagles is the grateful club that made me who I am today. Since my move to the Major Leagues, I always thought I would return to Hanwha to repay them, and even while in the U.S., I watched Hanwha every year dreaming of the day I would join again. I am happy to keep that promise now." He continued, "With strengthened lineups and the growth of young players, I believe our team has the strength to achieve good results. I will work hard with my teammates to show the fans baseball for as long as possible this season," expressing his determination.

After the 2012 season, Ryu sought Hanwha's consent to challenge MLB through posting (a non-public competitive bidding process) and signed a 6-year contract worth $36 million with the Dodgers. Hanwha received a transfer fee of about 28 billion KRW (25,737,737 USD) at the exchange rate at that time.

In MLB, Ryu appeared in 186 games, recording 78 wins, 48 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.27. He was a top-tier starting pitcher, achieving the lowest ERA in MLB overall (2019) and starting in the All-Star Game (2019). However, frequent injuries left some regrets. Ryu underwent three surgeries during his time in the U.S. In May 2015, he had surgery to repair the left shoulder labrum, in September 2016, surgery to remove necrotic tissue in the left elbow, and in June 2022, he underwent his second elbow ligament reconstruction surgery since high school.

After about a year of rehabilitation, Ryu returned to MLB in August last year. After his return, he started 11 games, recording 3 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 3.46 (52 innings, 20 earned runs), showing he still had competitiveness as a starting pitcher.

However, this year, as a free agent again, he considered staying in MLB or returning to Korea, ultimately choosing to join Hanwha.

Ryu's personal career record in the KBO League stands at 98 wins, 52 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 2.80. He needs just 2 more wins to reach 100 career wins.