Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers reached an agreement for two years and $24 million dollars, according to a source.
Right-handed free agent Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a two-year contract valued at $24 million dollars, according to a person with knowledge of the acquisition.
Maeda, who turns 36 on April 11, played the past three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He had a record of 6-8 with a 4.23 ERA in 20 starts and one relief appearance this year in his return from Tommy John surgery on September 1, 2021.
He was hit on his left ankle by a line drive traveling at 111.6 mph off the bat of Boston Red Sox’s Jarren Durán during his third start on April 20. After giving up a personal-high 10 runs and eleven hits against the New York Yankees six days later, he was placed on the injured list with a right triceps strain, an injury that kept him out until June 23.
Maeda made a couple of relief appearances in the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros, allowing three runs in four innings.
He completed an eight-year contract agreed with the Los Angeles Dodgers that guaranteed him around $25 million dollars, including about $81.2 million dollars in roster bonuses and potential episodes. He earned $650,000 dollars in bonuses this year.
Maeda has a record of 65-49 with a 3.92 ERA in 155 starts and 35 relief appearances for the Dodgers (2016-19) and the Twins (2020-21, 2023), who acquired him in February 2020 along with Colombian minor league utility player Jair Camargo for Venezuelan right-hander Brusdar Graterol and first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley.
In Detroit, he will join a projected rotation that includes right-handers Matt Manning, Alex Faedo, and Reese Olson.
