Email a copy of 'Japan's Hiroshima Carp To Post Kenta Maeda' to a friend
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By Steve Adams | at
Email a copy of 'Japan's Hiroshima Carp To Post Kenta Maeda' to a friend
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bluejayseveryday
Yes! C’mon Jays, WE NEED AN ACE!
jljr222
But…he’s not an ace. He’s been ranked below guys like Darvish and Tanaka. Heck, Tanaka isn’t really an ace, he’s more of a solid #2. So I would guess he’s more of a solid #3.
treday
To be fair, a lot of people questioned whether Hyun-Jin Ryu was even a major league starter (most felt he was a 4-5 at BEST), and he ended up being a solid #3 (injuries aside).
jljr222
True, scouting reports are never 100%. I was reading a handful where scouts felt he was undersized and had injury concern. Otherwise, if a team wants a solid pitcher and doesn’t want to pay an arm and leg he could be a good get.
danfromfreddybeach
they don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for an arm? you’re right, it does sound like an overpay (by approximately one leg)
kevinsorboner
He’s only a number 3 because he’s pitching behind an MVP and 4 Cy Young awards. Not that I use WAR as a benchmark over their last two seasons played respectively Ryu trails Price by 0.7 WAR. Plus Ryu has those calves.
bluejayseveryday
He’s got really good stuff. He’s an ace in Japan, could become one here.
chesteraarthur
If you’re expecting him to be better than Marcus Stroman, you’re likely to be disappointed.
kevinsorboner
Stroman (who I bet will age like Lincecum) has played in 30 games which is not enough time to evaluate against someone who has played in 0 mlb games. You’re commenting with your heart.
stormie
Being an ace in Japan is akin to being an ace in AAA; it basically means zilch as far as being able to tell you what you can expect of the player in MLB. Darvish and Tanaka have been successful here, but they were dominant in Japan on a level beyond Maeda. A lot of very good pitchers in Japan have come over here and been eaten alive.
WildBlue
Please name a few of the Japanese pitchers who “have come over here and been eaten alive”.
jaysfan1994
Pre-partially torn UCL Tanaka was definitely an ace. I’d also argue this year if he didn’t give up 300 foot warning track homers every home game because of it being Yankee Stadium, he’d be a clear #2.
kevinsorboner
Then define ace? Are you only considering pitchers who have won 3 consecutive Cy Young’s? Darvish and Tanaka are aces.
bobbycurls
no way tanaka is an ace. solid number 2, yes. But not even in the same ballpark as Darvish (obviously point is moot as he we haven’t seen him post TJ).
jakesaub
He’s going to go to Arizona. They’re very public about their desire to land this guy, and judging by their offer to Cueto, they’re willing to spend.
tim815
20 per on Cueto is spending?
jakesaub
…Yeah, what do you think Maeda will go for? $120MM over 6 years? I don’t think so…
tim815
Offering 6/120 on Cueto doesn’t indicate a willingness to spend a bunch. I’m not sure what Maeda will bring, but they will have some heavy competition.
jakesaub
If it’s any indication, the MLBTR guys predicted 5 years for $60MM plus the $20MM posting fee. The DBacks seem to value Maeda higher than anyone else, at least publicly, so it’s very plausible they end up the highest bidder.
tim815
They could get him. But not because they offered Cueto less per year than Zimmermann got.
jakesaub
But Cueto is going to make a lot more than Maeda will, so that’s sorta irrelevant.
chesteraarthur
Maeda =/= Cueto.
jakesaub
My intention wasn’t to compare the two at all, I was just saying that if the DBacks offered 6 yrs, $120MM to Cueto that means they have the available funds to spend.
chesteraarthur
Ah, I see.
But having the funds to spend below market on Cueto doesn’t really mean they’ll be near the top on Maeda?
jakesaub
No, but below market on Cueto is still above-market on Maeda, plus the fact that they’ve been so open about pursuing him.
chesteraarthur
that’s only if they just think of it as “20m @ pitcher”. Vs. evaluating each on a $/performance basis.
WildBlue
But not the intention of making a serious offer to Cueto. 6/120? C’mon Man.
Josh Gitt
The Dodgers will likely have a say of whether or not he’s going to Arizona. Regardless if they sign Greinke or not, they’re going to need another mid-rotation arm, and this guy fits the bill. Plus with Dave Roberts’s Japanese background, he might want to have some Japanese players on the team. Point is, Arizona may want Maeda, but so may the Dodgers, and the Giants for that matter if they don’t sign Greinke.
jakesaub
I think the Giants said their backups for Greinke are Leake and Samardzija. Those guys will be going later in the offseason (most likely) than Maeda, so I’m not sure if they’ll go after Maeda. I won’t rule out the Dodgers though, they could be a fit.
aff10
As a D-Back fan, I hope they stay away honestly. MLBTR has been pretty close so far on their pitcher projections, and if Maeda commands over 80M (including fee), I would pass. From everything I’ve read, he seems to be a 3-4 type. In a loaded FA market, I’d look elsewhere personally.
jmcossio87
Why? 80m for 5 yrs, thats a bargain.
bigkempin
The 20M fee is a wash since it doesn’t count towards the payroll. Even if you counted it and he got that contract it would be a 5/80 deal so $18M/season for a “3/4”. In an age when JA Happ gets $12M/season and he’s a 5……
tim815
Everyone will throw in their twenty mil, and negotiate it from there.
kevinsorboner
No chance. Of course you’re allowed to like the hottest girl in the school and buy her all the cars she wants, but at the end of the day only the desperate girls settle for a chump team like the dbags. Cueto rejected and I don’t see Maeda hopping on the snaketrain to shitville.
johns-11
Could see Boston all over this along with every other FA or player available
jakesaub
Boston is largely done spending this offseason… I can see them trading off a starting pitcher like Miley for a B-prospect or two, adding one of two more 6th-7th inning relievers, or making a deal for Panda/Hanley if someone is dumb enough to offer one.
Draven Moss
They could still benefit greatly by getting a #2 starter. Not saying Maeda is necessarily going to be that good, but I could see the Red Sox being interested at the 5/60MM plus posting free projection. They could trade Miley and Maeda wouldn’t cost a whole lot more (the posting fee means nothing to big market teams) and comes with more upside. Having said that, I don’t think the Red Sox are the greatest fit, though Maeda has said he would love to be apart of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. I expect the D’backs being all over him based on previous interest and I could see the Dodgers/Giants too depending on what happens with Greinke.
hojostache
The *last* thing BOS needs is another back of the rotation pitcher. I know they moved Miley (and got back MUCH more than I expected), but that doesn’t fix their issues. Hanley is who they need to focus on now.
Sasha C. Handelman
Boston might put in a posting fee but unless the pla on trading Buchholz/Miley/Kelly I don’t see them signing Maeda
mike244
Trade Miley for a good reliever and sign Maeda. It might not be a bad idea. Of course, it depends on where the bidding goes.
bluejayseveryday
No one would take Miley lol. Especially for a GOOD reliever.
jakesaub
And why not? He’s started at least 32 games for the last 3 seasons, he’s a lefty, he’s pretty cheap, he’s only 29, and he put up a 3.81 FIP last season, his best mark since his All-Star 2012 season.
mike244
Yeah, no one would want a 3/4 pitcher on a cheap 3 year contract who has a career 3.8 FIP coming off a 2.6 WAR season…
jakesaub
That’s the same career FIP of one Jeff Samardzija, recipient of a $100MM contract offer.
JoeyPankake
Aledged recipient of a 100MM contract offer…
WildBlue
Samardja will be the Jints mini-Zito.
chesteraarthur
I would!
R.D.
I mean, say Price or Buchholtz(what? never) gets injured. The Sox would be relying on E-Rod, Kelly, Owens, and Porcello. They all have huge questions that Miley, the best workhorse in baseball right now, does not have.
Trading Wade is a bad idea when you have three pitchers that have never broke 150 big league innings and Rick Porcello as backups. Even with Maeda, he’s a crapshoot as well. Though one I think would pay off.
jakesaub
I wouldn’t go spouting off that Miley is the best workhorse in baseball… I think that honor might go to his new teammate David Price.
The fact is, the Red Sox currently have 3 lefties penciled in for the starting rotation, with two of the next three pitchers off the depth chart (Owens and Johnson — Kelly being the one righty) being lefties as well. For that reason, Miley is the most expendable. Not to mention that Kelly has serious potential as a reliever, Porcello’s contract is untradeable, E-Rod has a huge ceiling, and Buchholz is the surest thing after Price. Process of elimination.
jasoneye
Seattle needs to reignite their Japanese fanbase.
jakesaub
Then re-sign Iwakuma
WildBlue
Or start selling Sushi-Dogs?
kingfelix34
They just got aoki, and they can resign iwakuma
JoeyPankake
Shinjo is looking for a 5th OF job.
kevinsorboner
I thought he was doing DDR these days.
jabmets
I’ll take him
vamosbravos
Darvish…Hamels…Maeda…Holland…Perez or Chi-Chi. Look out..Angels…Stro’s…M’s & A’s.
Mason Carroll
I think it would be nice. But this time, I really do think the Rangers mean it when they say they’re not going to make a big splash. Besides…save money to re-sign Darvish and get Otani when he gets posted. Rangers almost had him fresh out of Japanese High School, but he got drafted.
tim815
Post 20, and you get to negotiate.
Bob Smiley
hello Houston.
skrockij89
Would like to see Seattle throw in a bid for him. Would be smart just in case Kuma leaves.
Raulcastillo13
Wouldn’t shock me if the dodgers got him
mrshyguy99
he not a cuban since they love cubans. if zack not a dodgers then he be a decent replacement
WildBlue
Dodgers can get him if Friedman is willing to dip into his unlimited budget. Andrew…you’re not in TB anymore.
InvalidUserID
Come on Yankees! (Accidentally posted this in the Shark post)
jonathanh1020
This guy is legit bet on it. Wish my team get him.
sdsuphilip
Think he’s an overpayment ready to happen, he might get near Shark money. I’d much rather have Shark, and Chen.
forum199
Just watched some video of this guy; he reminds me of Hideo Nomo (particularly his delivery). He looks like a capable major league starter, but I don’t think he’s in the class of Darvish-Tanaka. Given the 20M posting fee, I’ll guess he gets 5 years and 55M.
reignaado
A truly TRULY tremendous blow for Hiroshima if ever Maeda makes it into the Major leagues… With Kuroda leaning towards retirement (unless he finds something that motivates him to stay for at least one more year…), that team will definitely be in trouble next season and for other years to come…
Hiroshima may get the 20 million USD posting bid from MLB teams, but losing a star pitcher and fan-favorite like Maeda is definitely a hard pill to swallow… (It looks like Kris Johnson will be the team’s ace for the Carp next season…)
Philliesfan4life
The angels need to get in the mix for him
raef715
if only my Phils had some money to spend.
jkim89
redsox???
Francys01
Lets go Giants get Maeda.Lets sign him to a four to five year contract.
Kaylee12
Come to that rangers with u we can that World Series in 2016
Polez
I think he’s a perfect fit in NY. He’ll like to have a guy like Tanaka around and the possibility of the Yanks getting a 2 or 3, for 14-16 per year is a no brainer and right up the Yankees alley. I see NY being a heavy player in these negotiations.