Ryu becomes the 9th Asian-born player ever to sign with the Blue Jays

Hyun-Jin Ryu represents an important first for the Toronto Blue Jays. His four-year, $80 million deal is the most lucrative free agent contract given to a pitcher in franchise history.

OFFICIAL: We’ve signed LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu to a 4-year contract. Ryu led the Majors with a 2.32 ERA in 2019.

Welcome to our family, @HyunJinRyu99! pic.twitter.com/dww0Ld6Ybk

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) December 27, 2019

His home country of South Korea is ecstatic about the news. Dozens of photographers and photographers swarmed Ryu as he departed for Canada on Christmas Day. According to MLB Insider Daniel Kim, Blue Jays merchandise is flying off the shelves in Korea. Ryu’s home country will also broadcast all Blue Jays games in 2020.

So I called New Era Korea to get a #bluejays cap for myself. I was told they are completely sold out and I would have to wait a month for next shipment. This all happened in last 48 hrs, I’m told. #mlb

— Daniel Kim 대니얼 김 (@DanielKimW) December 24, 2019

The Jays have the unofficial moniker as “Canada’s team,” but with the addition of Ryu, the club is branching out by bringing in a marquee pitcher who hails from the Pacific Rim.

Ryu officially becomes the ninth Asian-born player to sign with the Blue Jays in the franchise’s 40-year history. The Incheon native is the third Korean player to sign a big league contract with the organization; Seunghwan Oh was the last in 2018, and Rob Refsnyder was the first in 2017.

Player	Year	Birthplace
Micheal Nakamura	2004	Japan 🇯🇵
Tomo Ohka	2007	Japan 🇯🇵
Ryota Igarashi	2012	Japan 🇯🇵
Munenori Kawasaki	2013-2015	Japan 🇯🇵
Chien-Ming Wang	2013	Taiwan 🇹🇼
Rob Refsnyder	2017	South Korea 🇰🇷
Nori Aoki	2017	Japan 🇯🇵
Seunghwan Oh	2018	South Korea 🇰🇷
*Hyun-Jin Ryu*	*2020-2023*	*South Korea 🇰🇷*

Prior to Ryu’s deal, the most noteworthy player on that list is Munenori Kawasaki, who played for the Blue Jays from 2013 to 2015. He was a fan favourite from the moment he landed in Toronto and spawned several viral videos.

For the most part, the Blue Jays haven’t been active in the Pacific Rim market over the last few decades, but this all changed with the signing of Ryu.

The Blue Jays have yet to announce the signing of Japanese pitcher Shun Yamaguchi as well. He would then represent the 10th Asian player in Blue Jays history.