The Detroit Tigers look like World Series contenders as they reach the middle of June. The A.J. Hinch-led squad entered Saturday's action with an MLB-leading 46-25 record through 71 games, putting the Tigers in a great spot to continue building momentum before next month's All-Star festivities and trade deadline.
The Tigers' terrific first-half performance wouldn't have been made possible had they not made certain roster decisions along the way. One of those difference-making choices involved cutting ties with a struggling pitcher whose stock has completely plummeted since leaving Detroit.
Former Tigers RHP Kenta Maeda's Stock Has Plummeted Since Leaving Detroit
One name Tigers fans were hoping to see a bounce-back performance from this season was Kenta Maeda. After signing a two-year, $24 million contract with Detroit in November 2023, Maeda struggled to live up to his contract in Year 1 by going 3-7 with a putrid 6.09 ERA and 1.380 WHIP in 29 appearances (17 starts).
Fast forward to the beginning of the 2025 campaign, and Maeda was even worse than the previous year. The former American League Cy Young runner-up pitched to a 7.88 ERA after giving up seven earned runs, one homer, and six walks in seven relief appearances, leading to his being designated for assignment by the Tigers on May 1.
Maedae was eventually released by the team later after he cleared waivers, allowing him to ink a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs on May 16. Instead of capitalizing on his fresh start, though, the 37-year-old's performance has worsened since exiting town.
In five starts (16 innings) with Triple-A Iowa, Maeda is 1-1 with a putrid 11.81 ERA and 1.875 WHIP. He's struggling to control his pitches, which is highlighted by his 12.9 hits and 7.9 walks allowed per nine innings, as well as when he gave up five walks and three runs on as many hits in 4 1/3 innings in his latest outing on June 11.
It was hard to imagine Maeda's play worsening since his Tigers departure but here we are. Teams won't have much future interest in his services if he continues at his current rate, especially at his current age. Failing to turn things around could result in the 2025 season being his last in the Majors.
The Tigers just went 2-1 in their only series of the season against the Cubs last week, meaning Maeda missed out on an opportunity to face his old club. Only time will tell if he'll ever play well enough to warrant a comeback, or if fans have already seen the last of him at the big-league level.