The player we should pursue but likely won't (Kenta Maeda)

[Docwaukee]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/kenta-maeda-asks-to-be-posted.html

 

Wants to be posted.  Not sure if he's going to be as of yet. 

 

High end Japanese pitchers have been relatively successful.  While he's probably a step below Darvish and Tanaka, he probably still profiles as a #2 starter.  His K rates aren't through the roof (7.4/9), but he's a flyball pitchers which works well for us.  

 

With posting and salary, he's probably gonna cost about 6/80.  20 of which doesn't count toward the cap.  So about 10mil AAV.  

 

Gives us the flexibility to sign a more expensive position player as well as the depth to trade one or more of our starters (I'd still hang on to Heaney and Richards for sure though).

 

Thoughts?

[Stradling]

Doc, if he can stay healthy he will be better than the other two guys because they are health risks. Would you rather have an oft injured pitcher that is capable of carrying a rotation or the solid number 2?

[Tyler]

We could use alot of people. There are quite a few needs, which all can be answered via FA, but will likely not happen due to financial restraints. It's gonna be a mix of trades and FA. The Heyward route probably wouldn't include Maeda if he were to be posted.

[nikkachez]

This would be my number one target if they decide to get a starter.

[Brent Maguire]

Maeda would be a good add. Guy has impeccable command. Kinda see him turning into a Jordan Zimmerman type pitcher. 

[Angel Oracle]

$10 million AAV against the luxury tax threshold for even a potential #3 starter is a good value, especially if you can sign him for 5-6 years.    

 

Except, the next true MLB talent Asian player that Arte signs will be the first. 

[Stradling]

What would be the price difference between Maeda and Zimmerman? Zimmerman is the guy I want this off season. I think he will be worth the contract more than say Cueto.

[Angel Oracle]

I too would rather have Zimmerman than Cueto.

The only downer is losing the draft pick for Zimmerman.

[gotbeer]

Maeda (SP)

Hwang (3B)

Oh (closer)

 

And combined, they would probably cost less than Heyward per year.  We probably won't sign any of them.  

[Brent Maguire]

What would be the price difference between Maeda and Zimmerman? Zimmerman is the guy I want this off season. I think he will be worth the contract more than say Cueto.

Probably about a 40 mil dollar difference. I should say Maeda is probably similar to 2015 Zimmerman, not 2011-2014 Zimmerman. 

[OregonLAA]

Didn't Zimmerman's number suck last year? Or am I mistaken?

[gotbeer]

Didn't Zimmerman's number suck last year? Or am I mistaken?

 

3.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.  Higher than his career average of 3.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.  

 

Heaney was our best ERA at 3.49 and Whip at 1.20.  

 

So I wouldn't say suck, but definitely above his norm.   

[OregonLAA]

Better than I remember. Still nothing amazing for what he is going to cost. But what do I know? I thought Beltre would be a bust when the Rangers signed him

[Second Base]

Perfect acquisition Doc, because he'd establish a Japanese presence we've been missing, and wouldn't really effect our luxury tax situation.

 

Because it's so smart, you an pretty much rule out the Angels.  Just like Beltre made too much sense. 

[laagamer]

Interesting. Even with mediocre velocity, his offspeed stuff should be above average. I'd take interest.

[Docwaukee]

Doc, if he can stay healthy he will be better than the other two guys because they are health risks. Would you rather have an oft injured pitcher that is capable of carrying a rotation or the solid number 2?

the latter everyday of the week and twice on sunday.  but that's the nit with pretty much all of the jpcl pitchers.  Maeda is 28 to start 2016 and has logged 1500 innings already.  I was referring to relative dominance compared to those other guys.  Maeda's walk rate is super low though (1.9/9ip).  

 

Zimm worries me a bit.  Former TJ guy has had 200ip 4 seasons in a row.  Entering his 30yo season.  Gonna cost you 20-22mil per over 6 years.  

His fastball velo dropped about half a mph this year.  Switch from NL to AL.  Some mild flags for someone that's gonna cost that much and make you surrender a pick.  

 

There are flags for Maeda as well, but he's a lot cheaper.  

Edited November 24, 2015 by Dochalo

[Chris]

I'd be ok with signing Leake, Chen, Maeda, etc.

 

Richards

Heaney

Leake/Chen/Maeda

Skaggs

Wilson/Weaver

Tropeano - #1 at AAA

Santiago - trade for a bat

Shoemaker - swing guy in bullpen

[Erstad Grit]

To be honest I never heard of the guy.

 

Zimmerman, Cueto, and the rest of the 2 tier starting pitchers have bust written everywhere to me. 

 

This could be an interesting option. 

 

Oh, and I miss Shiggy. 

[DailyHalo]

I like Maeda. He looks like hes somewhere between an Iwakuma and Darvish/Tanaka type. You have to remember Billy came from the Yankees and they signed Tanaka, so we could have a much improved international market presence. Zimmermann is exactly what we need imo. He can be a veteran front end option and still allow Garrett too be our #1. What about Samardzija to a reasonable contract? All three of them can possibly be interchangeable 1-3 types.

Edited November 24, 2015 by DailyHalo

[Glen]

Agree with all that we should be all-in on this guy.  Agree with most that history says we won't be. 

 

Prove us wrong, EpPler.  

[AngelsLakersFan]

3.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.  Higher than his career average of 3.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.  

 

Heaney was our best ERA at 3.49 and Whip at 1.20.  

 

So I wouldn't say suck, but definitely above his norm.   

 

Didn't have suffer from some arm problems, like elbow soreness? Eek.