But Maeda’s incentive-laden contract is not based on per inning performance but is purely based on workload. While this is a common practice across the league today, the Dodgers may be manipulating Maeda’s contract. Maeda’s innings have dipped in each of his last two seasons since his MLB debut back in 2016.
According to Spotrac.com and Jeff Passan, Maeda makes $250,000 for every ten inning increment that he pitches after he exceeds 90 innings pitched, all the way up to 200 innings (he earned an extra $1 million last season with his 120+ inning season). He also earns an extra $1 million for every start he makes over 14 starts, with five start increments beginning at 15 starts (Maeda made an extra $2 million last season by reaching 20 starts).