MBC Sports Plus commentator Park Jae-hong raised the possibility of Ryu Hyun-jin’s contact with Hanwha president Son Hyuk, who is travelling in the United States.
After graduating from Dongsan High School, Ryu began his professional career with Hanwha in 2006, compiling a 98-52 record with a 2.80 ERA in 190 first-team appearances.
Ryu, who has been playing in the major leagues since 2013, has said on numerous occasions that he would “one day return to Hanwha.” He is set to sign a four-year contract with Toronto after this season, making a return to the KBO likely.
On the 21st, commentator Park Jae-hong said on the YouTube channel ‘Korea Sports Authority”s baseball specialised corner ‘Let’s do well’, “Ryu Hyun-jin, who is currently undergoing a rehabilitation process, is about to be called up to the major leagues. He has said in the past, ‘I will return to Hanwha after my time in the major leagues,’ and Hanwha is very eager to have him back,” Park said.
“Ryu will be 37 next year. His age and injury history might make him less attractive to a new team. His contract (with Toronto) ends at the end of this season, and he needs to prove something this season to stay in the major leagues.”
“It’s not easy to sign a multi-year contract. If he doesn’t perform as well as he has in the past, there’s a good chance he could return to the KBO. Manager Son Hyuk is currently in the United States. I’m sure he’s in the U.S. on business, but I’m hoping he’ll meet with Ryu Hyun-jin as well.”
After finishing last for three consecutive years, Hanwha needs a rebound. Commentator Park Jae-hong said, “We need to perform well in time for the opening of the new stadium in 25 years. They will want to erase the image of an underdog, but the mound led by Moon Dong-joo, Kim Seo-hyun, fastballers Young Gun and Ryu Hyun-jin is no joke.”온라인바카
SSG signed Choo Shin-soo and Kim Kwang-hyun ahead of last season and won their first wire-to-wire title in history last year. Commentator Park Jae-hong cited SSG’s example, saying, “They brought in Kim Kwang-hyun and Choo Shin-soo at the same time, and the synergy was obvious. They won the championship and made great gains in many ways. There are examples like that, so I think they will move quickly. In the end, Hanwha Group should step up.”
“From Ryu’s point of view, he wants to extend his major league career, but if clubs don’t value him as much as they used to, he will eventually come back. Next year would be the best time (to return to the KBO).”