Dodgers reportedly reach agreement with pitcher Kenta Maeda
Japan’s Kenta Maeda delivers a pitch against the Netherlands during the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Yesterday’s black hole, today’s potential surplus?
One day after the Dodgers announced they had signed left-hander Scott Kazmir, they apparently are set to add Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda.
Several media outlets said Thursday the Dodgers have reached an agreement with the 27-year-old. It was first reported by Chris Meola, and confirmed by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Maeda was posted by the Hiroshima Carp and has to be signed by Jan. 8. The Carp would receive a $20-million fee if he signs with a team in the majors.
The Dodgers would not confirm the reports and said no announcement was expected Thursday.
Maeda would become the only right-hander in the Dodgers’ rotation, which now includes Clayton Kershaw, Kazmir, Brett Anderson and Alex Wood.
If Hyun-Jin Ryu, another left-hander, returns fully healed from shoulder surgery to start the season as he hopes, the Dodgers would actually have an extra starting pitcher.
Like Kazmir, the signing of Maeda will not cost the Dodgers a draft pick.
Maeda is not considered an ace for the majors, but in 2015 he won the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award, the Sawamura Award, when he went 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA and 1.01 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning).
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