Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Rumors > Dodgers Rumors: Consideration Was Given To Moving Kenta Maeda To Bullpen If Yu Darvish Re-Signed
Rumors

Dodgers Rumors: Consideration Was Given To Moving Kenta Maeda To Bullpen If Yu Darvish Re-Signed

Matt Borelli
August 27, 2018
3 Min Read
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

When Kenley Jansen was potentially due to miss an estimated one month while receiving treatment for an irregular heartbeat, the Los Angeles Dodgers reconstructed their bullpen to accommodate his absence.

GET THE EXCLUSIVE #DONTLOOKATME SHIRT NOW

Among the notable was moving starting pitchers Kenta Maeda and Ross Stripling to the bullpen. Taking their spots in the rotation were left-handers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood, as they each returned from the 10-day disabled list during that time.

Unlike the plan for Stripling, Maeda is expected to remain in the bullpen for the rest of the season. The right-hander looks to recapture the success he enjoyed during the Dodgers’ 2017 World Series run, when he allowed only one run in 10.2 innings (three postseasons series).

Despite his success as a reliever on a national stage, Maeda wound up reprising his role in the club’s starting rotation for the 2018 season.

That almost wasn’t the case, however, as Dodgers officials pondered the idea of moving Maeda to the bullpen on a permanent basis over the offseason. That would’ve come to fruition if the club managed to successfully re-sign Yu Darvish, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:

For example: While considering re-signing Yu Darvish, the Dodgers thought about converting Maeda to relief full-time. One exec described it as "the evil option" because it would deprive Maeda of money and piss him off — but make team better.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) August 12, 2018

Darvish, of course, departed Los Angeles and signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs instead. The Dodgers, facing luxury tax restraints, would have needed to be creative in order to retain his services.

As the anonymous executive points out, such a move would have had financial repercussions for Maeda this season. The 30-year-old, with an average annual salary at just over $3 million, is dependent on incentives that trigger at certain thresholds for starts and innings pitched.

A transition to the bullpen would have cost Maeda the opportunity in reaching those figures, unless both parties agreed to rework his contract. To Maeda’s credit, he’s been willing to assume any role asked of him but does have a desire to start, independent of contract incentives.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Kenta MaedaLos Angeles DodgersYu Darvish
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Put Personal Desire Aside In Angels Start

May 9, 2021
May 9, 2021
Howie-kendrick-11
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Farhan Zaidi Backs Howie Kendrick As Potential Starting Second Baseman For 2017

November 9, 2016
November 9, 2016
Washington Nationals celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Casey Sadler Finds Silver Lining In Nationals Winning World Series

October 31, 2019
October 31, 2019
James Outman
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: James Outman Among 2023 National League Rookie Of The Year Finalists

November 6, 2023
November 6, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어