When Kenta Maeda signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2016, his contract included multiple surprises. One of which was the eight-year deal he received, and the other was the guaranteed value of just $25 million.
An ace in his native Japan, many expected Maeda to sign a much more lucrative contract in making the jump to Major League Baseball. However, he revealed issues with his physical were a factor in signing such a team-friendly deal.
Although the base salary left some to be desired, Maeda’s pact did include a bevy of incentives centered around starts made and innings pitched each season.
The contract is partly why the Dodgers moved Maeda back to the starting rotation even after his dominance out of the bullpen during the 2017 postseason. Converting Maeda into a full-time reliever would prohibit him from reaching those incentives.
In other words, the Dodgers would be exploiting a loophole to pay a player far less than what his value dictates. After 20 starts and 109 innings in 2018, however, the club put Maeda in the bullpen as they searched for relief help following Kenley Jansen’s heart issues.
Maeda isn’t overly pleased by the move, but his disappointment does not stem from potentially missing out on additional earnings, per Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times:
“It’s not a case where I want to start because of the contract,” [Maeda] said. “I’ve been a starter my whole life.”
Maeda previously explained he views himself as a starting pitcher. Moreover, this is not the first time Maeda has brushed aside his contract situation.
When he was temporarily moved to relief in April, Maeda reaffirmed his desire to start but said his contract “can’t dictate” what is best for the Dodgers as a whole.
Maeda has been an effective starter for the Dodgers while also showing flashes of dominance as a reliever. Although the latter might benefit the club most, ensuring the relationship with Maeda remains positive will be key. Particularly when considering he’s under control through the 2023 season.
