Hyun-Jin Ryu locked in the biggest contract of his Major League career on December 27, 2019, agreeing to a four-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays worth $80 million fully guaranteed. At the time, it made him one of the most coveted arms on the market.
His Biggest Contract at a Glance
- Team: Toronto Blue Jays
- Signed: December 27, 2019
- Length: 4 years (2020–2023)
- Total guaranteed value: $80 million
- Average annual value: $20 million
How the Deal Was Structured
The contract ran from 2020 through 2023 at $20 million per year — clean and straightforward. No opt-outs, no deferrals, no complicated clauses. Toronto got a pitcher in his prime with proven MLB experience from his Dodgers years, and Ryu got the full $80 million no matter what — injuries or performance included. He also held no no-trade clause or early exit provisions.
Where It Ranks Among MLB’s Biggest Deals
The $80 million figure doesn’t crack the all-time MLB contract leaderboards, but in the context of the 2019 offseason it was a significant commitment — one that placed Ryu among the best-paid pitchers of his generation at that moment.
Before Toronto: The Dodgers Deal
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Seasons: 2013–2018
- Value: $36 million (via posting)
Ryu arrived in MLB in 2013 after the Dodgers paid $36 million in posting fees to acquire his rights from Korea. Over six seasons in Los Angeles he developed into a reliable, high-quality starter. The Toronto deal represented the peak of his market value in North America.
Career Earnings in MLB
Adding up every contract he signed in the majors, Ryu collected $116 million in guaranteed money during his North American career. That figure covers base salary, signing bonuses, and earned incentives — not endorsements or money from leagues outside the U.S.
What Came Next
After his Blue Jays tenure ended, Ryu returned home in 2024, signing with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO in what was reported as the richest contract in that league’s history — a fitting final chapter to his run in professional baseball.
