The Sports Network
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers won a bidding war
to obtain the negotiating rights to South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin, Major
League Baseball announced on Saturday.
Though neither MLB nor the Dodgers revealed the amount of the posting fee the
team paid the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization for Ryu's
rights, FoxSports.com reported it to be $25.7 million.
The Dodgers now have a period of 30 days to attempt to sign Ryu, a 25-year-old
left-hander considered one of the top available international prospects who is
represented by famed agent Scott Boras.
Ryu has spent his entire seven-year pro career in the KBO and compiled a 98-52
record with a 2.80 earned run average over that time frame. He also helped his
native South Korea to a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by going 2-0
with a 1.04 ERA in two starts.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound southpaw won just nine times for last-place Hanwha
this past season, but posted a 2.66 ERA and struck out 210 batters over 182
2/3 innings.
"We are thrilled to have this exciting opportunity," Dodgers general manager
Ned Colletti said in a statement. "We have watched Ryu pitch for a long time
and he is another option to consider as we look to improve our team in 2013
and beyond. We'd like to thank the Hanwha Eagles and we look forward to
meeting Ryu and beginning the negotiation process very soon."
Several teams, including the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, were also
believed to have submitted bids for Ryu. The Rangers paid a $51.7 million
posting fee to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japan Pacific League to
acquire 2012 rookie standout Yu Darvish last winter.
The Sports Network