Major League pitchers representing Korea and Japan are starkly different ahead of the new season.
Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays) and Darvish Yu (37, San Diego Padres) entered the big leagues at the same time and had similar processes until reaching the top spot. They have something in common that they reached second place in the Cy Young Young vote and hit the FA jackpot, but the fact that they fought numerous injuries and went through long rehabilitation after surgery is also similar.
However, the views and prospects for the two pitchers ahead of the 2023 season are contrasting. Ryu Hyun-jin received Tommy John surgery in June of last year and has to seek a comeback in the second half of this season, while Darvish is highly anticipated as Japan’s ace in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) as San Diego’s first starter.
In an article titled “Powerful pitchers monopolize the preliminary free agent list for the fall of 2023” published by Forbes, an economic magazine, on the 7th (Korean time), Darvish was in the spotlight along with the top aces, while Ryu Hyun-jin was mentioned at all. there wasn’t even
The main character of the article is Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels). The point is that Ohtani will be in the spotlight as the biggest player in the FA market this winter. More than $500 million is likely, and it is expected that the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants will engage in a hot recruitment battle.
Following Ohtani, Forbes classified Darvish as a top-class free agent starter along with Julio Urias (Dodgers), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia Phillies), and Lucas Giolito (Chicago White Sox).
Regarding Darvish, ‘Giolito, who was sluggish last year with 11 wins and an ERA of 4.90, must revive this year to touch big money, but Darvish, who had a great season in San Diego last year, is a problem at the age of 37, but this year’s annual salary is $ 19 million. You can expect to earn twice as much money after the season as you can.”
Darvish’s six-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in February 2018 expires at the end of this season. He regained his prime skills last year with 16 wins and 8 losses, an ERA of 3.10 and 197 strikeouts.
Considered the ace of San Diego, he is also in the limelight as the ace of the Japanese national team at the WBC held in March. Japanese coach Hideki Kuriyami plans to send Darvish as a starter to Korea, the first match of the first round. Despite the presence of outstanding pitchers such as Otani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Darvish is treated as an undisputed ace.
On the other hand, Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to face a tough road this year. Once the rehabilitation is completed smoothly, he can return in time for the opening of the second half of July. The rotation situation within the team is also not easy. He is full of the 1st to 5th starters, so even if he returns, he cannot guarantee that he will be guaranteed a starting spot. We have to wait for an injury or the sluggish performance of Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled for the 5th start. 메이저놀이터
Ryu Hyun-jin is also unable to compete in this WBC. The 2nd tournament in 2009 is Ryu Hyun-jin’s only WBC career. On the other hand, Darvish is the ace who led the WBC championship in 2009 and is aiming to regain the top spot in the same tournament in 14 years. Darvish, who is the only one among the five big leaguers selected for the Japanese national team to join the Miyazaki camp early, has already begun to harden with the goal of winning the championship. 메이저놀이터
Ryu Hyun-jin will also acquire FA status again after this season. After returning in the second half, depending on his performance, whether he will hit the jackpot again or end up drifting off-season will be determined. In terms of career wins in the major leagues, Ryu Hyun-jin is 20 games behind Darvish, who has 95 wins, with 75 wins. Darvish seems likely to have a 100-win notice in the first half of this season.
