The Los Angeles Dodgers and their new ownership have not been shy about spending money.  Since the new group took over the team, they have spent a lot in international free agency and trades.  Now, they have spent another $25.7 million just to negotiate a contract with Korean lefty Ryu Hyun-Jin.

According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, the Dodgers and the Cubs were the team who are thought to have been in contention to win the negotiating rights, but the Dodgers won out.  They now have 30 days to negotiate a contract with Ryu.  If they do not work out a deal, he returns to his Korean team and the Dodgers will have wasted their time.  The good news is, the posting fee of $25.7 million is not paid unless a contract is worked out.

The Dodgers, in addition to their deep-pocketed owners willingness to spend, are likely interested in Ryu for two reasons.  One, Ryu was fantastic while pitching in Korea.  Two, Los Angeles was decimated by injuries and they need starting pitching help to overcome that.

Ryu has gone 98-52 with his Korean team, and he has a 2.80 career ERA.  No one knows what Ryu's numbers will translate to if he pitches in the Majors.  Some pitchers flop when coming over, others excel.  Yu Darvish had a solid year in his first Major League season this past year.  But Daisuke Matsuzaka has been a relative disaster.


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