December 23rd, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, it will mark the end of the decade; a decade which saw the Dodgers make it to the postseason a remarkable seven consecutive years in a row. It will also mark their first season in their last eight without 32-year-old left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Late Sunday evening it was reported that the extremely popular Incheon, South Korea native and second-time free agent, whom the Dodgers purchased from the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on December 9, 2012, and re-signed as a free agent on November 14, 2018, had signed a four-year / $80 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. thus becoming the final top-tier free-agent starting pitcher to come off the table.
Although the Dodgers were among six teams said to be in on Ryu, it is difficult – if not impossible – to believe that had Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman seriously wanted the Scott Boras client, he could have had him, having the deepest pockets in all of baseball to work and, to this point, having spent very little thus far this off-season. As such, one has to believe that Ryu’s rather extensive history of rather serious injuries played a major role in Friedman’s decision not to outbid Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins for the 6′-3″ / 255-pound lefty.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
With every major free-agent starter now off the table, it appears that Friedman and the Dodgers are comfortable and confident with who they already have on their 25-man and 40-man rosters with only 49 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report for spring training. That being said, it is becoming increasingly likely that Friedman will trade away one or more of their top prospects – in addition to player(s) already on his 25-man and 40-man rosters – which, quite frankly, is terrifying for many (most) Dodger fans and could very well include guys named Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Alex Verdugo and (now) six-year MLB veteran Joc Pederson.
Terrifying indeed.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
probably not.
Nope
Yup
This is where we fans come up short.
We look at this signing and wonder why Friedman wasn’t all over it. Some will call him a cheapskate, etc. But, we don’t have the inside poop on what is really going on. Medicals on players, scouting reports, latest trade opportunities, etc.
While I think 4 yrs is probably a little long (by a year), $20M/yr seems reasonable to me. Ron is right, Dodgers could have had him if they really wanted him. I don’t believe for a second the argument that Friedman is satisfied just winning the division. Everyone in his position is in it to win it all, he’s more vested in that than any of us by far. What does that tell me? They are working on something better or possibly believing the young studs we have, including Josiah Gray are ready.
I agree the Dodgers are “comfortable and confident with who they already have on their 25-man and 40-man rosters” and why shouldn’t they after winning 106 games.
I am also “comfortable and confident” they are also working hard to improve. I don’t believe we can pigeonhole Friedman by saying he won’t make big moves, he has, Machado and Darvish and will if the opportunity arises. He won’t make a move just to make a move. If our top prospects are traded it will because the Dodger organization believes it will improve the team currently and in the long run. I can live with that!
Heres my take
I’ve been a fan for 30 plus years now and I realize that in order to keep things in perspective the business of baseball needs to be a first priority of any MLB team.
It would be easy for me to get emotional and lose my mind over players who I think are outstanding and are impactful in there own right.Is Ryu a great pitcher? Of course he is.Is he worth the money he is commanding? Maybe.But a general managers job relies on many factors many if which we as fans cannot understand.Love for my team and passion for the game are one thing .But millions of dollars on position players is quite another.There are so many factors to winning a Workd Series that none of us can truly understand.Fan for life? YES.Realistic observer? So much more so.
Ryu was too fragile. When you pay him for five years and only have him pitch for 2.5 years,. Just fa… https://t.co/yI1kGO2S1o
No
IMO the Dodgers are now short on starting pitching and I’m sure something is about to give.
NO.
Hard to say. The years are scary for a guy with his injury history. He will be challenged to perform… https://t.co/fWwMDD8fvs
Feels sort of like a vote of confidence in the LA rotation depth. Maeda, Stripling, Urias, May and Gonsolin will get lots of innings. “Pitchers Break” is a proven notion, especially in the case for Ryu unfortunately. While he honed his craft and improved over the years, given his age and injury history, either a slight drop off in stuff or another injury could make a comparable deal from LA unpalatable. This will sting less if financial flexibility turns into extensions for Bellinger and Buehler. It’s difficult to envision a clear upgrade unless Friedman can pry Clevinger from Cleveland at this point. Best case scenario would be Urias and May reach closer to their ceilings and line up as #2/3/4 postseason starters.
Worse mistakes:
1. Re-signing Brian Wilson
2. Trading for Jim Johnson
3. Adding John Axford and Ryan Madson in 2018
4. Making Orel Hershiser and Jerry Hairston part of the broadcast crew.
5. The Josh Fields trade.
You mean another mistake of The decade
Cannot come to a decision until we see is on the Roster on Feb 1st.
I believe we are going to be involved in multiple trades and will be way better a team in 2020 than 2019.
Just wait.
The clowns in the FO will probably make a bigger one in the near future
Freeman Needs To Good Roberts 2
He is the injury report
well I understand this move Ryu is no good at 4yrs.But u better get LINDOR now cause you are going to need runs. David Price is like his name 2 price an don’t need another bench warmer. He will have to bat and run. More chance of getting hurt. Now that there’s less pitchers I would give Wood a good look at
.I know you are scratching the bottom of the barrel but he might surprise you. Anyway I’m glad I’m retired and not my job 😎
Yes they fucking did! Big mistake man, that’s all these guys are used to making!
Nope
I won’t complain if May and Pederson are moved for an upgrade to the rotation and/or the outfield. Joc really hasn’t developed into the big leaguer he was advertised whilst in the minors. And, I’m still not at all sold on May. I don’t think the Dodgers would be losing out on too much by moving him. And, if the “Gingergaard” hype artificially boots his trade value, even better.
Age 29 to 32 healthy enough to average 95 innings a year. Will be lucky if Toronto gets that many 33 to 36 downhill years. His best days are over. He’ll get 80 million for 2 good seasons if they are lucky.
I don’t think so if get a C…….. from Cleveland or if May is for real or if Urias fulfills his onc… https://t.co/x53bMqTNw9
We sign guys to cheap deals then let the other teams pay the premium. BluecJays are paying for past… https://t.co/W4pi6WEBS0
I think Dylan Hernandez nailed it. There is no reason to do anything because their division is too weak. Here we come anotjer West title and of course failing to win it all again. Rinse and repeat.
Here we are a little over a week away from a new decade.
If not signing soon to be 33 yr old Ryu to a 4 yr $80M contract is the “Biggest Mistake of the Decade”, anybody got any candidates for the Best Decision of the Decade?
How about this one? 12/23/19: Dodgers Hire Rob Hill of Driveline Baseball as Pitching Coordinator.
Here is a link to Driveline’s website:
https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/propitching/
Can state of the art training, add a couple MPH to Kershaw and Jansen? How about state of the art training allowing our young studs to throw more innings?
If they can, this hire yesterday could be the best decision of the decade.
Best decision? Easy. Shedding themselves of Donnie Baseball.
Ryu made the mistake Dodgers organisation and has protect his welfare. ENJOY go for the money 4 years bench 3. Wanted you back MERRY CHRISTMAS