UPDATE: The Mariners have re-signed Iwakuma, so the Dodgers will likely intensify their search for another starter.
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UPDATE: The Dodgers may not be signing Hisashi Iwakuma due to issues with his physical, which could increase the possibility of adding Maeda.
If #Dodgers indeed had issues with Iwakuma's physical, one option would be to rework his three-year, $45M contract, lowering guarantee.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2015
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Earlier in the year few thought the Los Angeles Dodgers would be among the MLB teams that have yet to make a significant move at this point in the offseason. That could soon change.
According to the latest rumors, Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda is on the Dodgers' radar. His incumbent team, the Hiroshima Carp, set the bidding at the maximum $20 million posting fee in order for MLB teams to negotiate with the right-hander.
Maeda, 27, arrived in Los Angeles on Monday and will begin meeting with MLB teams, reports The Japan Times. The Dodgers are expected to be one of those clubs, adds Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
He's expected to be a commodity due to his success in the Japan Central League over the past eight years. The right-hander owns a 97-67 record with a 2.39 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 1,233 strikeouts in 218 games (1,509 2/3 innings). He projects to be a mid-rotation starter, but some feel he could be a No. 2 if he maximizes his potential.
Maeda was nearly posted last offseason, but the Carp ultimately decided to keep him around for another year. He could very well be of interest to the Dodgers due to the various question marks surrounding their starting rotation. Can Brett Anderson stay healthy for two consecutive seasons for the first time in his career? Will Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy successfully and quickly recover from their major surgeries? What can the team expect out of Alex Wood and Mike Bolsinger? Will prospects Julio Urias and/or Frankie Montas be ready for MLB action or will they be traded?
Rumors also speculated the Dodgers could continue to make a push for Miami Marlins starter Jose Fernandez after the team acquired three prospects yesterday in the three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds. The addition of Montas, Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson further bolstered the Dodgers' farm system, which could give the Marlins more of an incentive to move Fernandez if they can get the return they want.
If the Dodgers are interested in Maeda, they may have to make other moves to free up space in the rotation. They reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Hisashi Iwakuma earlier in the offseason, which gives them even more of a surplus of mid-rotation starters.
Maeda was posted a week ago and various teams such as the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and others were reportedly eyeing the right-hander. However, the Giants signed both Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto this offseason while the D-Backs signed Zack Greinke and traded for Shelby Miller. Additionally, it was reported the Boston Red Sox will not make a run at Maeda, so his market is a little murky right now.
Nonetheless, the Dodgers appear to be involved and could have more tricks up their sleeve. After all, it's still very early in the offseason.
