Padres Reportedly View Ex-Dodgers All-Star As Free Agent Candidate

Should the Padres sign the former Dodgers All-Star?

The San Diego Padres still are looking for some help in the starting rotation.

San Diego could still use at least one more hurler and likely won't be handing out a massive deal in free agency. Luckily, there still are some mid-tier arms with upside who could help the club.

The Padres have been linked to a handful of starters, and one player who has popped up as a possible option multiple times is former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Hyun-Jin Ryu. 

It's unclear if San Diego will be able to land Ryu, but he currently is viewed as a candidate for the club, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Michael Lorenzen and Hyun-Jin Ryu would fit nicely," Heyman said. "Mike Clevinger, Rich Hill and Eric Lauer are among other starters who should get a (Major League Baseball) deal. The Padres, (Minnesota Twins), and (Pittsburgh Pirates) are also eying starters. Ryu remains a San Diego candidate."

Per Jon Heyman of The New York Post

Ryu spent the first six seasons of his career with Los Angeles and picked up his lone All-Star nod. He spent the last four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. Ryu missed much of the 2023 campaign but was able to make 11 starts and logged a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings pitched. 

The lefty has a career 3.27 ERA in his 10-year big-league career and could be a solid option for San Diego on a cheap, short-term deal. San Diego is loaded with talent and should be able to compete for a postseason spot. Landing someone like Ryu could only help.