Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu looking for a three to four year deal

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 31: Starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 31: Starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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In the early stages of free agency, the Dodgers do not appear to be prioritizing the “Korean Monster” in their free-agent pursuits.

With free agency in the early stages, the Dodgers have been linked to Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson.  When it comes to the pitching front, the Dodgers do not appear to be prioritizing Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Ryu told the Yonhap News Agency that Scott Boras is handling all his negotiations but he does not think there has been much talk with the Dodgers.

While things could certainly change as the Winter Meetings approach, it could signal that the Dodgers are going to let Ryu go and pursue other starting pitchers.  The only way the Dodgers could aim higher than Ryu is by targeting Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg.  There have not been any concrete rumors yet linking the Dodgers to either ace.

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One interesting note from the article is that Ryu is looking for a three to a four-year deal and the Rangers are being asked to sign him by fellow South Korean, Shin-Soo Choo.  Hyun-Jin noted that he has never played with a fellow country mate so it would be special to be able to do so.  The Rangers are expected to pursue Ryu as Dodgers Way predicted here.

Whether or not the Dodgers choose to bring Ryu back for another tenure in LA, the team is going to need to find one more veteran starting pitcher.  Andrew Friedman mentioned at the GM Meetings that Julio Urias would be a starting pitcher next season but the blue still need one more top of the rotation starter next to Walker Buehler.

Counting on Dustin May or Julio Urias to ascend into the number two starter role in 2020 would be expecting too much of a jump from either starter.  If the Dodgers bring back Hyun-Jin he certainly fits their mold of short term deals with free agents.  Ryu has had several injuries and shoulder surgery over the last few years so he remains a bit of a question mark health-wise.

Next. The pros and cons that come with Rendon and Donaldson. dark

While the Dodgers look for various ways to upgrade their offense for the 2020 season, the biggest question of the off-season will be if they pursue Gerrit Cole who is rumored to want to return to the west coast.  If the Dodgers pass on Cole then Hyun-Jin Ryu could be a candidate to return if the Rangers or another club do not lure him away.