The Chicago Cubs are one of five teams along with the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Indians who have expressed "concrete interest" in left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu from Korea this off-season, according to Bleacher Nation.

Ryu is 25-years-old and has been considered to be one of the best pitchers in Korea since he was a teenager. Ryu is represented by agent Scott Boras.

Since Ryu has been playing professional baseball for four years in Korea, he is not restrained by the free-agent signing limitations that applies to amateur players which permits him to sign for as much as he desires with the team that has his rights.

The Cubs pitching staff had a combined 4.51 ERA last season which ranked 24th in the league. Chicago's pitching staff ranked 27th in the league in strikeouts with 1,128, 29th in wins with 61 and 28th in complete games with just one. Cubs' pitchers were second in the league with 101 losses.