Scott Boras, 71, the high-profile agent of “Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin, 36, has dismissed the possibility of Ryu’s return to South Korea. He was more optimistic about another client, Lee Jung-hoo (25), saying he would be a “K-pop sensation.”
“There’s a lot of interest from big league teams in Ryu,” Boras said, according to Canadian Sportsnet reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith on Sept. 9.
“He’s going to pitch in the U.S. next year,” Boras told reporters in Scottsdale, Arizona, the site of the Major League Baseball (MLB) owners meetings, when asked about Ryu, “not in Korea.” “He’s going to pitch in the U.S. next year,” he said.
After undergoing elbow ligament reconstruction surgery last year, Ryu returned in the second half of the season and went 3-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 11 games.레모나토토
Ryu, who is a free agent after his four-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays expired at the end of this season, is reportedly weighing a return to the KBO’s Hanwha Eagles and staying in the MLB.
While returning home last month, Ryu said, “My commitment (to finish my career with Hanwha) hasn’t changed, and of course I will do that,” but added, “I don’t know yet. I’m not sure yet. I think I’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
In the U.S., there are reports that several MLB teams are interested in signing Ryu to a short-term deal. MLB.com reported that Ryu could get a one-year deal worth $8 million.
Boras also explained the current situation for his client Lee Jung-hoo, who is trying to break into the U.S. through PostingSystem. “Nearly half of the league has inquired about him,” Boras said. “The Boston Red Sox acquired Masataka Yoshida from Japan because they knew his hitting skills were very good, and he has a combination of defense and power. He’s got a combination of defense and power, especially in the middle infield.”
“I think he’s going to bring the K-pop craze to MLB,” Boras said, predicting a rosy future for Lee.