The Los Angeles Dodgers bid $25.7 million for a chance to sign Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, Major League Baseball announced Saturday. Hyun-jin, 25, is a seven-time All-Star for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization.
The Dodgers now have 30 days to negotiate a contract with Ryu, who reportedly is represented by agent Scott Boras. The Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers also were among the clubs thought to be interested in Ryu.
“We have watched Ryu pitch for a long time and he is another option to consider as we look to improve our team in 2013 and beyond,” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement.
The Dodgers have been active internationally under their new owners. They signed Cuban defector Yasiel Puig to a seven-year, $42 million contract in June and have been involved in discussions with Japanese high-school pitcher Shohei Otani.
Ryu is 98-52 with a 2.80 ERA lifetime and helped the Korean team win a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, going 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA in two starts. He also won his only start in the World Baseball Classic, giving up two runs over seven innings.
The Dodgers will pay the $25.7 million to Hanwha only if they are able to negotiate a contract with his representative.
The posting system has proven expensive for major league teams lately. The Rangers submitted a record $51.7 million for the rights to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish last winter, eventually signing him for another $56 million over six years.
