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Dodgers: The top 3 free agent starting pitchers after Gerrit Cole

ByMichael Wittman|
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the NLDS at Nationals Park on October 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 06: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals in Game 3 of the NLDS at Nationals Park on October 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers in the first inning of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

1. Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.32 ERA, 3.10 FIP in 2019)

The top starting pitcher after Gerrit Cole in free agency (barring a Strasburg opt-out) is the Dodgers’ own Hyun-Jin Ryu.  While Hyun-Jin will likely miss out on the NL Cy Young award, he had a stellar season and will head into free agency with a much better market as he will not have draft pick compensation attached to him.

Ryu made 29 starts this season and stayed healthy throughout the season which is something he did not do in 2018.  Turning 33 years old before the 2020 season, Ryu is among the oldest big-name starting pitchers on the market but he does not rely on high velocity which helps his cause.  Unless the Dodgers are serious about pursuing Cole or Strasburg, their best starting pitching option could be Ryu on a short-term contract.

Projected contract: 3 years $54 million

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