The Los Angeles Dodgers added a third starting pitcher this offseason with the signing of Japanese right-hander pitcher Kenta Maeda to an eight-year contract that guarantees him $25 million.
While Maeda’s guarantee and average annual salary is low for a pitcher of his talent, he can earn over $100 million in incentives throughout the course of the contract.
On top of Maeda’s salary, the Dodgers must pay the $20 million posting fee to the Hiroshima Carp.
The team-friendly contract is explained by “irregularities” cropping up in a physical the right-hander took prior to entering negotiations with the Dodgers.
Maeda never missed an extended period of time over his seasons with the Hiroshima Carp and expressed confidence he’d remain healthy during his introductory press conference.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman voiced the same opinion. With Maeda, who will turn 28 years old on April 11, figured to slot in as a mid-rotation starter, ESPN’s Dan Szymborski provided his 2016-18 ZiPS projections:
Nice job on makeup assignment, Dodgers – Maeda projects as second best NPB pitcher behind Otani. pic.twitter.com/cGmFZXK7NI
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) January 1, 2016
Last season Maeda went 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA in 29 starts (206.1 innings pitched). Over eight years pitching in Japan, he finished 97-67 with a 2.39 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
Maeda also won two Sawamura Awards, which is the equivalent of Major League Baseball’s Cy Young. Having an ERA in the low three’s will put Maeda among the league’s best.
While he’s not likely to replace Zack Greinke, the Dodgers figure to have one of the deeper rotations in baseball next season, buoyed by the additions of Scott Kazmir and Maeda, and re-signing of Brett Anderson.
