Because you have to expect that from a pitcher like Hyun-jin Ryu…”
The 2023-2024 MLB free agency market is basically a starting pitcher market. Shohei Ohtani, who won’t be on the mound in 2024, is still the top tier. After that, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Aaron Nola, and Blake Snell seem to be the big four.
They should have at least $100 million in guaranteed contracts. Even Yamamoto is categorized as a $200 million contract. Teams looking to bolster their one-two punch are likely to keep a close eye on them and engage in fierce bidding wars with other clubs and the players themselves.
However, not every team in Major League Baseball is in the market for a top-tier starter. It takes a combination of internal circumstances and bullets, which is why some teams will turn to veteran starters who are cheaper and prefer short-term contracts.
Minnesota Twins fan nation Farketz Pond reported on Monday that Minnesota will return to a payroll structure in 2024. According to Spotrac, Minnesota will have a payroll of about $154 million for the 2023 season, and will be in the $125 million to $140 million range for 2024 and 2025.
“Even with the payroll restrictions, it’s still possible for Minnesota to make valuable additions to the roster, but they’re less likely to land a big fish. Fans thinking about Blake Snell or Marcus Stroman should turn their hopes to players like James Paxton or Hyun-Jin Ryu. Bargain hunting is the way to go for the team again.” 캡틴토토 도메인
The Minnesota bullpen was fourth in the American League with a 3.87 ERA this season. However, Sonny Gray and Genta Maeda are eligible for free agency. The team has offered Gray a qualifying offer, but he is expected to turn it down.
The Athletic recently reported that Hyun-jin Ryu’s guaranteed contract is expected to be one year and $11 million. Even if Minnesota is in a payroll-cutting mode, investing in Ryu would have little impact on the team’s payroll once Maeda and Gray are gone. The beauty of pitchers in the lower salary brackets is that they can be approached by multiple teams without much pressure.
There’s no shortage of teams out there that want Ryu. He could get a guaranteed contract in the $10 million range, with an option for 1+1 years. This means that his velocity, command, and ability to run a game will definitely be recognized.