Dodgers Sign Korean Pitching Ace To 6-Year, $36M Deal

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Dodgers continue to shell out the big bucks.

It was former Angels hurler and All-Star Zack Greinke on Saturday.

Today, the Dodgers announced they have signed 25-year-old left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu -- a standout for the Korean Hanwha Eagles -- to a six-year deal worth $36 million.

The Dodgers plan of formally introducing Ryu to reporters tomorrow at an afternoon news conference.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colleti told dodgers.com  "We are excited to welcome Hyun-Jin Ryu to Los Angeles and the United States, continuing the tradition of Korean pitchers with the Dodger organization."

The Dodgers have a likely 2013 rotation including two Cy Young winners (Clayton Kershaw and Greinke), a seven-time All-Star in Ryu, followed by Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett. Dodgers.com notes each of the four Americans was a first-round draft pick

Ryu was the first Korean player to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season when he went 18-6. He averaged 15 wins a season until this year, when his team finished last. In 2012, Ryu had only nine wins to go along with a 2.66 ERA.