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Tigers’ Interest in Kenta Maeda Could be a Disaster for 2024 and Beyond

By Vinnie Portell

Oct 7, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) throws a pitch in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros during game one of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) throws a pitch in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros during game one of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tigers will almost certainly lose Eduardo Rodriguez to free agency this offseason and they’re already targeting his replacement.

Detroit has ‘serious interest’ in acquiring Kenta Maeda, according to a report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.

It’s encouraging to see the Tigers active this early in the offseason, and Maeda isn’t an awful pitcher, but is he the right fit for this team?

Let’s break it down (and learn how to win $200 in instant bonus bets at BetMGM).

Tigers Have ‘Serious Interest’ in Signing Kenta Maeda

Signing Maeda wouldn’t be crazy for several reasons.

First off, the Tigers DESPERATELY need a veteran pitcher they can rely on to lead their young, but injury-prone rotation.

Also, Petzold writes that signing Maeda could help the club “establish themselves in the Japanese pitching market,” leading to more exciting additions down the road.

But on its face, this signing is a mistake.

Maeda will be 36-years-old by the time next season begins and it sure seems like his best days are long behind him.

The former Twin hasn’t reached 107 innings in a season since 2019 as he’s battled injuries, including a UCL tear that wiped out his 2022 season and a triceps injury this past season.

The stats haven’t been great, either. Maeda went 6-8 with a 4.23 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP (not terrible!) and just a 1.1 WAR for Minnesota in 2023.

He was better down the stretch, with a 3.36 ERA over his final 88 ⅓ innings, but his 91.2 mph average fastball doesn’t inspire much confidence, and neither does his inability to last deep into starts.

It’s time the Tigers make better decisions with their offseason spending. Maeda certainly won’t be a key piece when Detroit is ready to contend, and we already have to worry about how Javy Baez’s contract affects spending going forward.

And two serious injuries in the past two years don’t often work out well for aging pitchers with low-velocity fastballs.

There’s a chance this signing could work out, but at what cost, and what if Maeda spends much of the season on the injured list? Detroit should instead target younger, more reliable talent like Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman or even former Tiger Michael Lorenzen.

Detroit is clearly ready to improve its roster after a better-than-expected 2023 season, and you can improve your bankroll with $200 in GUARANTEED bonus bets at BetMGM! Just sign up with the link below and place your first bet of $10 or more on anything. You’ll instantly win $200 in bonus bets. Sign up with BetMGM today!

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