Whenever discussing a fan favorite or one of the better players on a team, there’s a name you never want to hear. Scott Boras. Yes, Boras represents Dodgers free agent-to-be Hyun-Jin Ryu. And yes, Boras is aiming for a big payday for the Korean-born lefty.
The MLB super agent spent some time with a Korean news outlet discussing Ryu ahead of his foray into free agency. It went… about how you expected.
Of course Ryu has been electric over the last two seasons. However, he has also been injury prone throughout his career. Focusing on his MLB career, the 32 year-old missed all but one start in the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and half of the 2018 season with major injuries.
Understandably, so many missed starts and his age — 33 in March 2020 — are likely to cause pause for organizations looking to back the brinks truck up to the free agent. Boras spun it in the most Boras way possible.
He is, age-wise, 32, but the truth is, innings-wise, he’s probably about 26 or 27, because he doesn’t have many innings on his arm — that makes him very valuable.
That’s one way to put it.
Ugh…..Boras trying to spin Ryu as having “an arm of a 27 year old” is just so hokey and cheesy. Every Dodger fan wants Ryu back, but they’re not gonna empty the bank for a 33 yr old pitcher who been on the IL almost as much as he’s pitched in his entire MLB career. Nice try tho https://t.co/7Wdvgfa5f3
— adamdzurilla (@adamdzurilla) October 15, 2019
Continuing on, the agent did offer a more realistic take to South Korea’s Yonhap News.
He had a Cy Young season. He was the best pitcher in the league. We’re really excited about his future and we’re just beginning to see the real Ryu.
Ryu no doubt had an incredible season. The Korean Monster lead all of baseball with a 2.32 ERA in 29 starts in 2019. Moreover, he started for the National League in the All-Star game this season, and is in the running for the NL Comeback Player of the Year award.
“Babe Ryuth” sure picked a good time to have the best season of his career so far. And Scott Boras is chomping at the bit to get (Ryu) paid… in true Boras fashion. On the idea of looking for a short term deal with big money, or a longer deal with a smaller value, the not-so poet laureate gave us a classic.
That’s like saying, with a car, do want the engine or the steering wheel? You want both
It was fun while it lasted, Ryu!
