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Dodgers Sign Hyun-Jin Ryu

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The Dodgers have signed Korean left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu for $36MM over six years, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). The deal was struck just prior to the 4pm CT deadline and only 20 hours after signing Zack Greinke to a six-year, $147MM contract.

Ryu's deal includes innings-based performance bonuses worth $1M per year, which could raise the total of the contract to $42MM, according to Heyman (Twitter links). Heyman also reports (via Twitter) that Ryu can opt out after the fifth year of the deal. The opt out can be triggered if Ryu throws 175 innings during those five years, writes Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown. Brown adds Ryu will receive a $5MM signing bonus. Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that Ryu will earn $2.5MM in 2013, $3.5MM in 2014, $4MM in 2015 and $7MM annually from 2016-18.

Hernandez also breaks down (via Twitter) the innings-based performance bonuses and other details (all links go to Twitter) from the Scott Boras negotiated deal including: there isn't a no-trade clause, Ryu's salary can increase depending on how he fares in the Cy Young voting, Ryu can't be sent to the minors without his written consent, the Dodgers will pay for an interpreter, and Ryu's jersey will sport the number 99.

The Dodgers expect Ryu to be part of their starting rotation next season, reports Hernandez. Ryu joins Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, Josh Beckett, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano, and Aaron Harang as starters already under contract. With this surplus, Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com tweets Capuano or Harang could be dealt in the coming days or weeks.

Ryu was posted by the Hanwha Eagles last month and the Dodgers won his negotiating rights with a bid worth a bit more than $25.7MM. The 25-year-old has been one of the Korea Baseball Organization's most dominant pitchers over the last several years, helping Korea win Olympic gold in 2008 and finish second in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Ryu went 9-9 with a 2.66 ERA last season for last place Hanwha with 210 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings. He has a 2.80 ERA over his seven-year career in Korea.

This marks the Dodgers’ second significant move in the international market since they were purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management. In June, the Dodgers signed 21-year-old Cuban defector Yasiel Puig to a seven-year, $42-million contract.

Zack Greinke Signing Reaction

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Zack Greinke's record-setting six-year, $147MM contract with the Dodgers will have a ripple effect throughout baseball. MLB.com's Peter Gammons lists five things to watch for in the aftermath of Greinke's signing including what kind of deal will Casey Close, who represents both Greinke and his new teammate Clayton Kershaw, be able to negotiate for the young left-hander. Other aftershocks include:

  • The Rays may be in a better position to deal one of their starting pitchers, as their value should be enhanced in talks with the Rangers, Royals, Diamondbacks, Rockies, or whichever other teams are interested, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. 
  • After losing out on Greinke, the Rangers will turn their attention to R.A. Dickey, James Shields, and possibly Anibal Sanchez, writes Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. 
  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters, including T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, "We'd like to add to our starting depth and we'd like to acquire an impact guy. But we're not casting a wide net to add a starter at any cost."
  • The Tigers are affected both short-term and long-term, opines MLB.com's Jason Beck. Short-term, the Tigers could benefit because the Greinke signing should take the Dodgers out of the bidding for Sanchez and no other suitor for the right-hander has such superior financial resources. Long-term, potential contract extensions for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer (represented by SFX and Scott Boras, respectively, according to MLBTR's Agency Database) could become much more expensive. 
  • Earlier today, we learned how one executive believes the entire economic landscape of the game is going to change drastically because of the Dodgers' spending. And, the Greinke signing will not allay those fears.

Quick Hits: Price, Rays, Otani, Dodgers, Dickey

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It becomes increasingly difficult at this stage to see David Price signing a deal to stay with the Rays but it's not too late, agent Bo McKinnis told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.  Price is happy in Tampa Bay, but it doesn't sound as though they should bank on a hometown discount.  "He wants to have the best contract in baseball, however that may be defined. He expects to be the best in everything that he does. So hopefully we're able to make that marriage between the Rays and that best contract. But we also recognize the economics of the game may not allow that," McKinnis said.  Here's more from around baseball..

  • Japanese pitcher Shohei Otani announced that he will sign with NPB's Nippon Ham Fighters, but the youngster told reporters that he still wants to come over to MLB at some point, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.  “I would eventually like to go to the major leagues,” Otani said. “It’s a place I admire. I would like the Fighters to teach me the road to get there.”
  • The entire economic landscape of the game is going to change drastically because of the Dodgers' spending, one rival executive told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  The Dodgers have been able to spend freely thanks to the TV money that will be coming their way in the next contract.
  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels said via conference call that he is still looking to acquire a catcher, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com tries to identify trade possibilities for Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, including a deal with the Rangers for Mike Olt.
  • Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter) wonders if the Rangers will respond to the Zack Greinke signing by inking Josh Hamilton and also trading for Justin Upton.

Heyman On Hamilton, Yankees, Youkilis, Dodgers

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Here's a look at the latest from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com..

  • The Yankees aren't involved with Josh Hamilton at this stage and would only consider it if he fell into their laps at a low number, Heyman tweets.  In short, Heyman says it's not happening.  The Yankees reportedly had people other than GM Brian Cashman running background checks on Hamilton.
  • The Dodgers will consider a shortstop or third baseman but don't appear to be in on Kevin Youkilis at the moment, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Heyman (via Twitter) also says not to be surprised if the Dodgers go after Anibal Sanchez or Kyle Lohse regardless of what happens with Hyun-Jin Ryu.
  • In today's conference call, Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said (via Twitter) that he hasn't had a "final conversation" with the free agent slugger.  Last week, manager Ron Washington revealed that Hamilton told the club that he will give them a chance to make a final offer before signing with another team.

Dodgers Notes: Greinke, Sanchez, Ryu

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As the Angels and Marlins can attest to, money doesn't always buy championships, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes.  Last night, 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke agreed to a six-year, $147MM deal, boosting both their rotation and payroll.  The Dodgers look stellar on paper, but Rosenthal cautions that inflated salaries often lead to inflated egos, raising the possibility of locker room turmoil.  Here's more on the Dodgers..

  • If the Dodgers don't sign Hyun-Jin Ryu today, they will shift their focus to free agent pitcher Anibal Sanchez, a source tells Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (via Twitter).  The Dodgers have until 4pm CST to ink a deal.
  • A Dodgers source told Bowden (via Twitter) that he expects the talks with Ryu to go right down to the wire.
  • Last night, the Dodgers established that they are the financial heavyweights of baseball, not the Yankees, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Greinke will become the fourth Dodger to average $20MM or more a season on his contract, joining Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, and Matt Kemp.
  • It's easy to understand why Greinke chose the Dodgers over the Rangers, writes Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.  The right-hander was said to be impressed by the presentation of Nolan Ryan and advisor Greg Maddux but ultimately chose to align with the free-spending Dodgers.
  • Dodgers manager Don Mattingly understands the kind of must-win pressure he'll face in 2013 from his time playing for George Steinbrenner with the Yankees, Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Dodgers & Hyun-Jin Ryu Still Far Apart

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The Dodgers and Korean left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu are still far apart in contract talks, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The two sides have until 4pm CT on Sunday to work out a deal.

Ryu, 25 and a Scott Boras client, was posted by the Hanwha Eagles last month, and the Dodgers won his negotiating rights with a bid worth a bit more than $25.7MM. Tomorrow marks the end of their 30-day negotiating window. Ryu has been one of the Korea Baseball Organization's most dominant pitchers over the last several years, helping the country to Olympic gold in 2008 and a second place finish in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

NL West Notes: Rockies, Ryu, Pagan, Scutaro

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The Diamondbacks' agreement with Brandon McCarthy was the biggest news out of the NL West today, but here are a few more items from around the division…..

Zack Greinke Rumors: Friday

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Angels GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters yesterday that he's "prepared to move on from Zack Greinke." Even the Dodgers are considering moving on, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday. The Rangers maintain interest in the free agent right-hander, but there's not much clarity beyond that. Here are the latest rumors surrounding Greinke with the most recent updates up top…

  • The Angels are "very unlikely" to make a last-minute play for Greinke as they did last year with Albert Pujols, a source tells ESPN's Jim Bowden (Twitter link).
  • Also from Bowden's Twitter feed, a Dodgers source says that if the team can't sign Greinke, it will explore a trade for R.A. Dickey or pursue Anibal Sanchez in free agency.  Sanchez is the Dodgers' top choice ahead of Kyle Lohse amongst free agent starters.

Earlier updates:

  • Nolan Ryan and the rest of the Rangers front office blew Greinke away, Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter). Greinke apparently loves the team's chances of winning the World Series.
  • The Dodgers are pessimistic about their chances of signing Greinke, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports. GM Ned Colletti had a memorable response when asked if he was on the doorstep of signing the free agent right-hander. "We're not on the front lawn. … We're barely out of the car at the curb. It's better than driving around the neighborhood looking for the house. We know where the house is located. We just can't seem to get out of the car."
  • Many trade and free agent possibilities are on hold as teams wait to see where Greinke will sign, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Greinke knows the Dodgers and Rangers are serious about signing him, but he now appears to be uncertain about his next step. The Rangers would prefer to sign Greinke, trade Michael Young to Philadelphia and acquire Justin Upton, Nightengale reports.

Dodgers Close To Signing Zack Greinke

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7:25pm: The Rangers have been told that Greinke is not signing with them, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.

6:59pm: It's a six-year contract worth $145MM, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. That would be the largest contract ever given to right-handed pitcher, surpassing Matt Cain's five-year, $112.5MM deal. Hernandez emphasizes that the deal is not done yet.

6:45pm: The Dodgers appear to be close to signing Zack Greinke, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). There is still ground to be covered, but Los Angeles is out in front for the right-hander's services at the moment.

Greinke, 29, is the free agent market's top pitcher and top overall player according to MLBTR's Tim Dierkes. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner pitched to a 3.48 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 212 1/3 innings split between the Brewers and Angels last season. It was his fourth 200+ inning season in the last five years.

This post was originally published on December 8th.

The Dodgers, Angels, and Rangers have been the righty's three primary suitors this offseason. Yesterday we learned that the Halos are "very unlikely" to re-sign Greinke, who was "blown away" by his visit to Texas. The Dodgers were also said to be pessimistic about their chances to land him, so these things can change in a hurry.

Four Teams Interested In Dee Gordon

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FRIDAY: The Braves and Phillies also asked about Gordon, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports (Twitter links). It appears that every team except the Dodgers would try Gordon as an outfielder. However, the Dodgers told clubs that they aren't open to moving him now.

WEDNESDAY: The Indians are discussing Gordon with the Dodgers, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, eyeing him as a potential replacement if they trade shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

TUESDAY: The Dodgers are fielding tons of inquiries on shortstop Dee Gordon, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports, though they're not looking to deal him.  The Mariners are among the teams hitting the Dodgers hard on Gordon, tweets Miller.

Gordon, 25 in April, hit .228/.280/.281 in 330 plate appearances this year.  He missed significant time due to thumb surgery.  Prior to the 2011 season, Baseball America ranked Gordon the 26th best prospect in baseball, citing the potential for four plus tools.

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