Ryu Hyun Jin Returns: A Game-Changing Contract Rocks Korean Baseball

Ryu Hyun Jin to return to the KBO League after 12 years
Hanwha guarantees Ryu at least 17 billion won

Ryu Hyun Jin returns to the KBO League after 12 years.

 

On the 20th, Hankook Ilbo reported that Ryu Hyun Jin returned to the KBO League by signing with the Hanwha Eagles after 12 years. The media, quoting a baseball official, said, “Hanwha has agreed with Ryu on a minimum guarantee of 17 billion won (about $12.7 million)” and “If Ryu completes the final contract with Hanwha, he will join the Hanwha team returning from Australia through Incheon International Airport on the 21st and immediately move to Okinawa, Japan (Hanwha Spring Camp Training Center).” According to a Newsis report on the same day, Ryu has agreed to a contract term of 4 years for a total of 17 billion won with his old team, Hanwha.

Rumors of Ryu’s return to Korea surfaced on the 19th through multiple media reports. Hanwha Eagles’ General Manager Son Hyuk, in a call with XSportsNews on the same day, said, “I’ve been talking a lot with [Ryu] Hyun Jin because we’re close, and we’ve recently formed a good consensus (about returning to Korea).” He added, “If [Ryu] Hyun Jin returns, we were thinking of an amount close to the highest, and we’ve made an offer and are waiting,” raising expectations.

Since Ryu has met with General Manager Son Hyuk and finalized the contract details, the official announcement of Ryu’s move to Hanwha is expected to be made today (20th) or tomorrow. On the 20th, Hanwha requested the MLB for player status verification, the last step before the official admission announcement.

 

With Ryu’s return practically confirmed, the Korean baseball world is abuzz. Hanwha Eagles are now considered the ace to dominate this season’s KBO League by recruiting Ryu.

Ryu, who debuted in the KBO League with the Hanwha Eagles in 2006, recorded 98 wins, 52 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 2.80 in 190 games until 2012. He swept the KBO League Rookie of the Year Award and Regular League MVP, showcasing the power of a monster rookie.

After the 2012 season, Ryu moved from the Hanwha Eagles to the LA Dodgers, making his major league debut. Ryu, who was selected as a core starting pitcher from his first year, recorded 78 wins, 48 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.27 in a total of 186 games with the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, earning the name “Korean Monster.” In 2019, he made a remarkable feat by becoming the first Asian player to top the ERA (2.32) list.