Report: Blue Jays very serious about Ryu
The Toronto Blue Jays are still looking to upgrade their rotation and are very serious in their pursuit of left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
The Minnesota Twins are also interested in Ryu, as well as the incumbent Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ryu, 32, became an All-Star for the first time last season, finishing as the runner-up for the National League Cy Young award while winning the ERA title. In 29 starts - his most since his rookie season back in 2013 - the southpaw posted a 2.32 ERA and 3.10 FIP over 182 2/3 innings. It marked the second time in his career he eclipsed the 160-inning plateau.
Last winter, Ryu accepted the one-year, $17.9-million qualifying offer tendered to him by the Dodgers.
The Blue Jays have already addressed their need for starting pitching early this winter, signing right-hander Tanner Roark to a two-year, $24-million deal and acquiring Chase Anderson from the Milwaukee Brewers. In-house candidates for the final three spots in the rotation include Matt Shoemaker, Trent Thornton, Ryan Borucki, Sean Reid-Foley, Jacob Waguespack, Anthony Kay, T.J. Zeuch, and Thomas Pannone.