Editorials

Dodgers Remain Poised to Retain Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill, Says The Athletic

The Dodgers are heading into one of the biggest off-seasons — for their franchise in particular — in recent memory. The amount of game-changing names that are on the block are almost unprecedented. Lindor, Betts, Rendon, Cole, and possibly more. The first step for the Dodgers, though, might be to retain some of their own players.

According to former Nationals’ GM Jim Bowden at The Athletic, the Dodgers are best fits on the market for both left-handed starting pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill.



Hyun-Jin Ryu

The oft-injured Ryu was absolutely fantastic in 2019 and was also the best pitcher in baseball on a per-start basis in 2018. He has been, without a doubt, a top-five starting pitcher over the last season and a half. In fact, over Ryu’s last 265 innings thrown, he holds a 2.21 ERA. Because of this, the Dodgers might get priced out depending on if the organization feels this is a fluke or not. According to Bowden, Ryu is set to receive somewhere in the neighborhood of a three-year, $55.5 million pact.

However, with Scott Boras as his agent… that number could be a little low.

Rich Hill

Hill, signed by the Dodgers after an excellent half-season with the club in 2016, has met expectations. He has been hurt quite often, but when he has been on the mound, he has been ace-caliber. Hill collected a three-year, $48 million deal and is probably looking for a one-year deal now. Hill is going to be 40 years old at the start of the 2019 season and is expected to receive around a one-year, $8 million deal.

Daniel Preciado

My name is Daniel Preciado and I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore Sport Analytics major and Cognitive Science and Economics dual minor at Syracuse University. When I am not in New York, I live in Whittier, California --- not too far from Chavez Ravine. I am pretty old-school for being an analytics guy and I will always embrace debate. Also, Chase Utley did absolutely nothing wrong.

15 Comments

  1. I could see signing Hill to a one yr incentive contract. That would give us a one yr bridge to see how May, Urias and Gonsolin perform. We don’t need Ryu for 3 yrs, especially with his injury record and age. There are good young pitchers that will be in the rotation soon. Buehler, Urias, May, Gonsolin and Gray could be the starting rotation within 3 yrs.

    1. I see absolutely zero upside to signing Hill. He’s hurt half of the season, and the other half he rarely goes more than four innings. We need guys to give us at least six, given the bullpen. He’s of absolutely no use imo.

      1. And hopefully in the opinion of the FO. Always thought the 3 year deal he signed was wasted money.

  2. Having said that, the Dodgers still need a better, more reliable #2 starter to win the WS. They just don’t need him for more than 1-2yrs, which is why a trade is more likely than someone like Strasburg who would want 6-7 yrs.

  3. It would be great to have Ryu and Hill back. I think the Dodgers had a good chance at winning the WS this year if they didnt get eliminated so quickly. If they can get Cole even better but I doubt they will so they definitely should get Ryu back and add Keuchel or Wheeler and make sure they win the Series in 2020. Also they need a better bullpen to help Jansen.

    1. “Good chance of winning the WS if they hadn’t been eliminated so early.”

      Wow. Simply brilliant.

  4. Buehler and Kershaw are great for the starting rotation but Urias or May or Gonsolin are too young and inexperienced pitchers. Also they will not get enough innings for a full time rotation.

    1. You don’t know that. and with the attitude they are too young they will never get a shot. Point is no matter what age they need to get out there and test the waters. Both looked really good and deserve the chance as opposed to overpriced retreads.

  5. ONLY HAVE 2 FOR STARTING ROTATI0N, W.B. & KERSHAW. KERSH NOT AS GOOD AS IN THE PAST. SIGN COLE & STRASBERG, GET RYU BACK. USE THE 3 ROOKIES
    TO HELP FROM THE PEN, SIGN MORE PITCHERS FOR THE PEN. WHEELER WOULD BE GOOD ADDITION & RENDON, LINDER, TRADE MUNCY, SEAGAR, . BELLI@ 1ST, J.T. IS TO SHORT & DOES NOT MOVE FAST ENOUGH.

  6. Does anyone truly feel that adding Hill to the starting rotation makes us a better, more competitive team? Its time for Stripling or Urias or Gonsolin or May to be given a realistic chance of breaking into the starting pitching rotation on a regular basis. Friedman is more concerned with picking up Hill on the cheap rather than spending some money for a quality player, be it a RHB or a choice BP piece. Go Blue!!!

    1. BLUE LOU! Dodgers should be looking for more front end starting pitching if they are even THINKING of competing in October. before even considering Hill Dodgers need to address other areas of need first, such as those ya mentioned. but unfortunately the Dumpster Diving will take place again.

      1. As usual you are right on Paul. Dumpster diving is the Dodger Mantra. The Dodgers always wait too long in Free Agency. They waited until some fine FA’s were gone and picked up both Kelly and Pollock.

  7. If the Dodgers decide to re-sign Hill, it should be as an addition to the bullpen and a spot starter.

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