UPDATE: The deal is reportedly for eight years and Maeda is guaranteed just $25 million.
If it matters, heard guarantee on Maeda's deal with #Dodgers is 8yrs at $25M, not $24M. Gambling on self with tons of performance bonuses
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 2, 2016
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UPDATE: The contract details have not yet been disclosed, but reports are getting closer to finding out. This is very typical of the Dodgers:
Told Maeda agreement with #Dodgers is complicated and at least 5 yrs, and loaded with performance bonuses.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 31, 2015
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When the Hiroshima Carp posted starting pitcher Kenta Maeda for the maximum bid of $20 million, the one MLB team that was incessantly linked to the right-hander in rumors was the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To little surprise, the two sides reportedly agreed to a contract on Thursday, according to Christopher Meola. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed the deal shortly after Meola's report.
The financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Los Angeles reportedly signed starter Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million contract yesterday in a move that added yet another left-hander to their starting rotation. The team was still linked to Maeda after that deal.
Here's what Heyman wrote earlier today about the Dodgers and Maeda:
"It's known that the Dodgers met with the Japanese pitcher, who has some impressive numbers over there and no draft compensation attached to him (that's big for the Dodgers). Los Angeles is still looking around after signing Scott Kazmir. Some scouts see him as a mid-rotation starter, but while few other teams have been connected to him thus far, that doesn't mean there aren't any. Cross the Yankees off, though; they aren't interested."
Due to their surplus of starters, trade rumors will now begin to surface regarding a number of the team's starters.
Maeda gives the Dodgers a capable right-hander following the loss of Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, it remains to be seen how his talent will translate to the MLB. Scouts have had mixed feelings about Maeda, with some saying he profiles as a No. 2 starter and others believing he'll be more of a No. 4 or No. 5.
The 27-year-old spent eight seasons in the Japan Central League with the Hiroshima Carp. In 218 career games (217 starts), Maeda is 97-67 with a 2.39 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 1,233 strikeouts.
Maeda was posted back in December and the deadline for teams to sign him was, and still is, January 8th. If the deal with the Dodgers falls through then other MLB teams will still have the chance to sign him. If no deal is made official by that date then each club will get their $20 million posting fee back and Maeda will return to the Carp.
Stay tuned for updates on this development.
