Last offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers rounded out their starting rotation by signing Kenta Maeda out of Japan. They paid the $20 million posting fee to Hiroshima Carp, and inked Maeda to an eight-year, $25 million deal.
His guaranteed salary was lower than expected, which initially came as a surprise, but became clear once Maeda explained a physical unearthed “irregularities.” The 28-year-old put health concerns to bed, leading the Dodgers in starts (32), innings pitched (175.2) and strikeouts (179).
Maeda finished the year 16-11 with a 3.48 ERA, 112 ERA+, 3.58 FIP and 1.14 WHIP. By virtue of triggering multiple incentives, Maeda earned $8.