Ex-Blue Jays, Dodgers Pitcher Still Available; Padres Are Logical Landing Spot

Could the Padres land the veteran hurler in free agency?

The San Diego Padres still are looking to add to the roster before the 2024 campaign kicks off.

San Diego has been looking to cut salary and already has lost Josh Hader in free agency and 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell likely will end up signing elsewhere, although he still is available. 

The Padres still are loaded with talent and should be able to compete in the National League West. While this is the case, Padres president of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller has made it known that the club still is looking to add in the outfield and starting rotation. 

One player who still is out there and could make a lot of sense and fit the club's budget is former Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu. 

Ryu is a 10-year big league veteran and has a career 3.27 ERA in 186 total appearances to go along with a 934-to-236 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons but seemingly is healthy and could be signed for cheap. He is projected to receive a contract with an annual value just north of $8 million according to Spotrac. 

The veteran righty appeared in just 11 games last season with Toronto but had a 3.46 ERA and 38-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 52 innings pitched. 

Ryu has plenty of experience pitching in the National League West and easily could help shore up the back of the rotation. If the Padres are looking to add to the rotation and don't want to break the bank, maybe Ryu could be an option.