November 16th, 2019 at 12:00 pm 
by 0799291000348 By now you have likely read or heard about Andy McCullough’s article in The Athletic (subscription required) regarding Kenta Maeda’s frustration with being shuttled by the Dodgers between the starting rotation and the bullpen.
According to Maeda’s agent, Joel Wolfe, his client is annoyed with the team’s approach, damaging his pride, and most importantly, significantly reducing his earnings.
Wolfe noted that following the 2018 season, the Dodgers attempted to renegotiate Maeda’s contract, apparently in an effort to increase his compensation for pitching in the bullpen. The team’s proposal was rejected by the pitcher, as a change to his compensation structure was less important to him than his starting role.
Earlier this week, Dodgers president baseball operations Andrew Friedman included Maeda as one of the four pitchers in the starting rotation for the 2020 season, along with Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and Julio Urias. But a lot can and undoubtedly will happen between now and Opening Day on March 26, 2020 at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to the four starters identified by Friedman, the Dodgers have Ross Stripling, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin ready to compete for starting roles in 2020, with free-agent pitchers Gerrit Cole, Rich Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Stephen Strasburg and Zack Wheeler available if the price is right. Looking ahead to 2021 (if not sooner), Dodgers pitching prospects Josiah Gray, Edwin Uceta and John Rooney could also be pushing their way into starting role consideration.
Maeda’s very team-friendly contract ($3 million annual guaranteed) extends through the 2024 season, which is not only attractive to the Dodgers, but also to every other Major League Baseball team in need of starting pitchers – all 29 of them.
But the Dodgers will not give Maeda away. He will only be traded for a good return; whether that be for bullpen help, a quality right-handed hitter, or well-regarded prospects.
What say you, Dodgers fans; starter, or trade chip?
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Trade chip if they surprise everyone and sign Cole.
Time to move Maeda. He’s a 5 inning ptcher at best who averages almost a 10 mil salary with his bonuses.
And if you check their career stats, Ross Stripling is the better all around pitcher and this season is projected to earn $2.3M
I think Dodgers lose money for Maeda trade.
I don’t see how, or why the Dodgers would lose money on a Maeda trade. Under any statistical measurement you want to make, he has added much more value to the Dodgers than they have paid him. I believe that a huge majority of MLB teams would love to add Maeda to their starting rotation and give the Dodgers a good package of players in return. If not, then the Dodgers simply keep Maeda until mid-season when other teams are trying to make playoffs and need another starting pitcher. Remember, the Dodgers are not in the position of having to trade Maeda, they can afford to sit back and compare offers, or just keep him as their no. 4 or 5 starter.
The sad thing for Maeda is that he would be a much more highly acclaimed pitcher as a reliever,much more respected, except maybe back in Japan.
Trade, but only with a good return.
Would we get to keep Will Ironton?
Will Ironton?
Maybe I got the name wrong. Used to be Kenta’s translator, had some other position with the Dodgers this year.
LOVE the Will Ireton reference! He is a GREAT guy!
He was promoted to development coach for the OKC Dodgers at the beginning of the 2019 season but returned as Maeda’s interpreter late in the regular season.
He can also deadlift 405 pounds!