MLB Rumors: Hyun Jin Ryu Lands Highest-Paid KBO Contract After Jays, Dodgers Stints

Former MLB All-Star Hyun Jin Ryu is returning to KBO after spending the past 11 seasons in Major League Baseball.

Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News cited Korean media reports that Ryu was signing with the Hanwha Eagles.

Per Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net, citing Xsports, Ryu's deal with the Eagles is worth around $12.7 million for four years. The deal is expected to make him the highest-paid player in KBO.

Ryu began his professional career with the Eagles 18 years ago. He went 18-6 with a 2.23 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 201.2 innings to win the KBO Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.

The southpaw is the only player in KBO history to win both awards in the same season. He was an All-Star in each of his seven years with the Eagles. He also led the league in strikeouts five times and ERA two times.

After the 2012 season, the Eagles posted Ryu for MLB teams to negotiate with him. He was ultimately signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers on a six-year, $36 million deal that didn't include the $25.7 million posting fee.

Ryu finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting after posting a 3.00 ERA in 30 starts during the 2012 season. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Dodgers. His best season came in 2019 when he finished second in NL Cy Young voting after leading MLB with a 2.32 ERA.

The Toronto Blue Jays signed Ryu to a four-year, $80 million contract as a free agent in November 2019. He went 24-15 with a 3.97 ERA in 315 innings over 60 starts during his tenure with the Blue Jays.

Injuries limited Ryu to 17 starts over the past two seasons combined. He had Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and was out for 13 months before returning to Toronto's rotation on Aug. 1, 2023.

Ryu could potentially pitch until he's 40 years old if he plays out the entirety of this contract with the Eagles.