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Boras touts Ryu ahead of free agency: 'He was the best pitcher in the league'

John McCoy / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Scott Boras is out stumping for his clients before free agency officially gets underway following the conclusion of the World Series, and it seems he'll be looking for top dollar and term for Hyun-Jin Ryu.

"He had a Cy Young season," Boras said of his star left-handed client, according to the Yonhap News Agency. "He was the best pitcher in the league. We're really excited about his future and we're just beginning to see the real Ryu."

Ryu led all of baseball with a 2.32 ERA over 182 2/3 innings this season as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, it was the first time since Ryu's rookie season in 2013 that the lefty threw more than 155 innings.

Boras sees Ryu's lack of innings thus far as a selling point, though.

"He is, age-wise, 32, but the truth is, innings-wise, he's probably about 26 or 27 ... That makes him very valuable," Boras added.

When asked if Boras will be chasing a longer term or a larger annual average value, the super agent was noncommittal, suggesting he should be able to get both for Ryu.

"That's like saying, with a car, do you want the engine or the steering wheel?" Boras rhetorically asked. "You want both."

In six seasons over seven years with the Dodgers, Ryu posted a 2.98 ERA and 3.32 FIP while making 125 starts and one relief appearance.

Free agency will officially open five days after the conclusion of the World Series. The Dodgers will be unable to extend a qualifying offer to Ryu this year after the left-hander accepted the one-year, $17.9-million pact last winter.

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