Hanwha Eagles failed to make it to the playoffs this season. But the looming question now is whether pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin will return next year as the club gives the title run another shot.

The left-handed ace, who has been making a lot of noise about his planned move to U.S. Major League Baseball, may have hit a slight snag. Ryu, who still has a few years left on his contract, needs the team's permission to leave, but the Eagles have not commented on the matter since they signed new head coach Kim Eung-yong.

Pundits predict the veteran head coach was brought in as part of a ploy to keep Ryu on board for the next few years.