REPORTS: Kenta Maeda To Sign With Detroit Tigers, Stay In AL Central

The 35-year-old starting pitcher, who has gone 3-1 with a career 3.86 ERA and 1.01 WHIP against Cleveland, has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $24 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Nearly a month into MLB free agency, a few massive dominoes, such as two-time American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, pitching phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, have yet to fall.

However, a significant deal in the Cleveland Guardians’ division has reportedly been agreed to.

According to multiple sources, including Detroit Free Press’s Evan Petzold, MLB Network’s and New York Post’s Jon Heyman, ESPN’s Jeff Passan, and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, starting pitcher Kenta Maeda has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.

The deal is said to be worth $24 million.

Source confirms: Free-agent right-hander Kenta Maeda in agreement with Tigers on two-year contract, pending physical. Deal worth $24M, per @JeffPassan. On it: @JonHeyman, @EvanPetzold.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 27, 2023

The 35-year-old Maeda had spent the previous four seasons with the Minnesota Twins, meaning that this new deal will keep him in the American League Central.

Maeda has made six starts against the Guardians in his career. He has gone 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 32 strikeouts, 1.01 WHIP, and .221 opposing batting average against Cleveland.

However, the Guardians fared well in his only start against them in 2023. On August 28th, Maeda did not record a decision, pitching four innings, and allowing seven hits, six earned runs, and one walk in 66 pitches. However, Cleveland ultimately lost the game 10-6.

Aug 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field / © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Maeda made 53 appearances for the Twins, 52 of which were starts, going 18-14 with a 4.02 ERA, 310 strikeouts, and a 1.12 WHIP in 277.1 innings pitched. He was also the runner-up to Cleveland starting pitcher Shane Bieber for the 2020 AL Cy Young Award.

Before his time with Minnesota, he spent the previous four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a mainstay on their pitching staff.

Based on Maeda’s reportedly new contract, the Guardians will hope to build on their most recent success against him over the next two seasons.