Japanese Star Inks 2-Year Deal With Detroit Tigers as Free Agent Market Grows Thin
Follow Us
The Detroit Tigers are setting things in motion. While there have been talks about signing the Japanese for a while now, these speculations might just be materializing. November has posed as an intense month for discussions between the right-hand pitcher and the Tigers. The time has come for the deal to finally strike.
The former Minnesota Twins’ 35-year-old became a free agent after 8 years this year. Teams immediately showed interest in him, with Detroit being the hungriest for him. In the midst of the Tigers looking to bolster their pitching abilities for the 2024 season, this is their first step.
It Becomes Official On Monday
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The news is out! @BNightengale took to Twitter and reported, “Starter Kenta Maeda’s talks with the Detroit Tigers reach conclusion on a 2-year deal. It becomes official Monday after he takes physical. @JonHeyman and @EvanPetzold on it.” With him in place, one can expect a renewed line-up for the ‘big cats’ in the upcoming year.
Starter Kenta Maeda’s talks with the Detroit Tigers reach conclusion on a 2-year deal. It becomes official Monday after he takes physical. @JonHeyman and @EvanPetzold on it.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 27, 2023
Trending
Yankees News: Aaron Judge Sets a Record That Hasn’t Been Touched Since the Babe Ruth Era
May 19, 2024 08:00 PM EDT
“She’s Taller”: Shohei Ohtani-Cameron Brink Link-Up Lands Dodgers Star In a Tough Spot
May 21, 2024 07:40 PM EDT
$450 Million Price Tag on Juan Soto; Yankees Superstar Told Leaving New York Would Be ‘Foolish’ According to MLB Analyst
May 22, 2024 06:32 PM EDT
Despite Missing Out on $75,000, a Talented 17-Year-Old Earned Something More Valuable From Millionaire Alex Rodriguez
February 22, 2023 04:16 PM EST
Angel Reese Fires Back at Shohei Ohtani and Cameron Brink With Her Own Link-Up With Cubs’ Japanese Star Shota Imanaga
May 22, 2024 01:40 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest MLB stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Viewing from an optimistic lens, the deal that is supposedly worth $24 million might steer the Tigers in the right direction. Before Detroit, the soon-to-be 36 in April, Maeda pitched for the Minnesota Twins last season.
He went 6-8 with a 4.23 ERA – 1.17 WHIP and 117 strikeouts in 104.1 innings. He also pitched in 21 games. After his Tommy John surgery in September 2021, he had to miss the entire 2022 season. However, soon after his recovery, he made an incredible comeback that he displayed on the 2023 MLB stage.
Before moving up to the big leagues, Maeda was a professional player in Japan, having played for the Hiroshima Carp from 2008 to 2015. For 3 years, from 2016 to 2019, he was a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers until he moved in 2020 to the Twins. That said, apart from him there is another Twin who is planning to move on from Minnesota.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Minnesota Twins’ Plans For 2024
The other 2023 Twins starter is anticipated to sign with other teams besides the Tadaoka-born. After missing out on the Cy Young award to Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray turned down his $20 million option to remain with the Twins and is currently being pursued as a free agent. He is one of the most sought after free agents and has many suitors. However, there isn’t definitive news about who will bag him.
Read More: Detroit Tigers Front-Runners to Sign Japanese Free Agent
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Minnesota’s plan to trade some of their wealthiest players comes from the intention of cutting costs. For the Twins, with a roster currently estimated at $120 million and The Athletic reporting they anticipate having an Opening Day payroll in the $125–140 million range, it was predicted that they trade veterans in order to add more through free agency or other trades. Indeed, they did!
Watch This Story: Top 5 Asian Americans Like Shohei Ohtani, Who Dominated The US Sports With Their Exemplary Excellence
Edited by: