Starting pitcher Kenta Maeda has found a home in the Motor City with the Detroit Tigers. The two parties have been in conversations since the offseason began. Maeda signed a 2-year, $24 million contract. Maeda began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 3.48 ERA and 3.58 FIP in his rookie season. He was traded to Minnesota in 2020 and has pitched in Target Field ever since.
Last year, Maeda’s season was rather injury-plagued. He only pitched in 21 games in 2023, which tied his career low (discounting the shortened 2020 season). The 35-year-old posted a 4.66 ERA and a 4.10 FIP in the 2023 campaign. However, his strikeout numbers rose heavily from 2022, with his K/9 increasing from 9.6 (2022) to 10.1 (2023).
Kenta Maeda provides the Tigers with a healthy and consistent option in the rotation. With a starting pitching cast that was heavily plagued by injuries in 2023, Maeda should be a breath of fresh air.
With star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto reportedly wanting to play with other Japanese players like Maeda, the Tigers might have played themselves into the Yamamoto sweepstakes as well. Time will tell, however, to see if Detroit had other motives in signing Kenta Maeda.