Dodgers: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Rich Hill, Two Others Declared Official Free Agents
It is officially the off-season. This means, as every year, the Dodgers will be forced to say goodbye to numerous players and coaches with the 2020 season looming. This time around, the free agents are Rich Hill, Russell Martin, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and David Freese. Jedd Gyorko will also become a free agent once the Dodgers decline his team option.
Most of the players on that list hold a lot of sentimental value to us as Dodger fans and it will be sad to watch any of them walk.
Four #Dodgers are now officially free agents — Rich Hill, Russell Martin, Hyun-Jin Ryu and David Freese (who has said he plans to retire). A fifth (Jedd Gyorko) will join them when LAD declines his option
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 31, 2019
Rich Hill
The Dodgers took a chance on Hill at the 2016 trade deadline, trading three top pitching prospects for him. He thrived. The Dodgers then took another chance on him by signing him to a three-year, $48 million deal. When he was healthy, he thrived. At the age of 39, Hill is defying the odds.
His fire and desire are what made him so endearing to fans. The true underdog story. Hill has already said that he is interested in returning to the Dodgers, but they might not pay him much. With the starting pitching market being a favorable one for the pitchers, Hill could have a nice payday for his age,
Russell Martin
Martin came through in the playoffs and was an excellent veteran mentor for Will Smith all season long. This is probably the end of the line for him in Los Angeles and it is very possible he opts to retire.
Martin was once the Dodgers’ top prospect and it would be poetic to see him start and end his career as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Ryu has always been a Dodger. Since his rookie year in 2013, he has always thrived when healthy. Now in 2019, he is a Cy Young candidate.
Because Ryu’s agent is the infamous Scott Boras, do not expect Ryu to return to Los Angeles. Boras will be seeking top dollar for his client and the Dodgers may opt to look elsewhere to replace him.
David Freese
Freese was excellent in 2019 after signing a one-year, $4.5 million in the off-season. He led the league in wRC+ against right-handed pitching and provided a steady bench presence against southpaws.
However, all good things must come to an end as Freese has opted for retirement. Arguably the best postseason performer of all-time, Freese will always have his name tossed around for years to come.
C-YA
Ryu has maybe a year or 2 at a top level. He is as good as gone with Boras. It’s going to take like 120 mil. forget it. Except for Year 1 Hill was a waste. And Martin well, would rather see Smith good or bad. A much better option.
So much for “a lot of sentimental value to us as Dodger fans and it will be sad to watch any of them walk.”
I say adios and don’t let the door hit u on the ars as U ign your bloated contracts
Too much sentimental stuff on the Dodgers to win a WS as it is. You can start with Roberts.
Adios
I know Ryu is probably gone which is fine i would’ve liked to se both Hill and Martin retire as Dodgers but sad to see either go, neither of the two seem ready to call it a career which has to be hard and understandable if they feel they still got the ability in them, and Gyroko i have no feelings about. Ryu I’m fine with him walking if Boras is just going to be the usual Boras but Ryu may put his foot down like he did for the 2019 season and just took the QO which irritated Boras.
Enough with the patch work, nickel and diming nonsense
It wins regular season games but not World Series
Sign Cole and legit closer
Mix in a bunt and few games where you don’t strikeout 10 plus times as a team
Good Pitching beats good hitting
Rich Hill and Ryu are child’s play against good hitters
Go Blue!!
I would hate to see Ryu go. He’s been pretty darn good for us and seems to be getting better. I do believe we need another guy with swing and miss stuff next to Buehler at the top of the rotation and at the back of the bullpen.
I am happy for Freese because he will definitely enjoy his retirement. I think he should have played more during the postseason more than the rookies who couldn’t really swing the bat. I will miss Hill and Martin and I hope they will get at least a QO from the Dodgers even though they won’t take it. They can probably get a good contract elsewhere for at least a few more years. As for Ryu, although I would like for him to stay as a Dodger, the front office will probably not give him an offer of 3~4 years at less than $100 million. Ryu will probably get a better offer and go somewhere else. Too bad because for that because if the Dodgers don’t sign Cole or Strasburg to beef up their rotation, how are they going to bring the World Series trophy. I have been a Dodger fan for over 40 years and I saw them bring the trophy in 80 and 88, and I would like to see them bring it home again in 2020!
Ryu would be nice to sign…he can opt to stay for less..Dodgers will be back…Hill…maybe a 1yr signing….Martin too…Geryko…nah..gone Freese…he is retiring…
I’d like to see the Dodgers sign Ryu for 2 years 45 million
Boras might like that
Bye Martin
Wasn’t worth his salary
I would like to see Hill and Martin go one more year. Hill is a fighter and we need that! Martin could help Smith for another year otherwise who, Barnes I don’t think so!
Martin may accept a QO to be back for 1 more year before retirement and OK by me. However if Dodgers continue to dumpster dive instead of going bigger for FA’s please just accept it because we really can’t do anything to change that. Trades will be difficult as well should they refuse to part with any prospects.
Cole will command top dollar which will elude LA unless Ryu manages to stay put (expensive option) Dodger’s haven’t been known to spend top dollar on pitching in several years. Rendon will probably be offered the moon after his WS performance, so I don’t expect him in blue. It’d be
another top dollar signing for LA. They’ll have to clear lots of funds to attract him.
On any outright trades, other teams will demand some of our top talent in return; not a good deal for LA
Perhaps keep Hill and Martin on a year to year, and offer Freese one more year and see if he’ll hang in there. He’s been good off the bench.
Yes, we need a more reliable closer.
Also, with some coaches possibly moving on, the Dodgers need to take a real hard look at their leadership, no matter how many games we won.
I would like them to sign Ryu for sure and I would think There would be some coaching job for Freeze someplace on Dodgers team. The rest good bye
Hope they keep Negron,could be a real asset in different ways