Kenta Maeda will be posted

[FanSinceBoggs]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/kenta-maeda-posted-mlb.html

He is an intriguing option for the Red Sox (and for many other teams). He is 27 now and will turn 28 in April 2016. The fact that he is just now entering his prime makes him an appealing free agent acquisition.

However, some team may overpay for Maeda. According to reports, the Diamondbacks really like him and they were willing to spend over 100 million on Cueto.

A report surfaced in 2014 that stated that Maeda would prefer pitching for the Red Sox or Yankees: http://nesn.com/2014/10/report-kenta-maeda-prefers-to-sign-with-red-sox-or-yankees-when-posted/

I could see the Yankees signing him, using Tanaka to help recruit. With that said, like most players, Maeda will probably sign with the team that offers him the most money.

 

[NDame616]

Well, since he's being posted, he has no choice in where he goes.....

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

Well, since he's being posted, he has no choice in where he goes.....

This is true under the old rules.

Under the new rules, any team that puts up a posting fee of 20 million can negotiate with Maeda, but only the team that signs him must pay out that 20 million. Thus, I would think that just about every major league team will put up the posting fee knowing they will get it back if they don't sign Maeda. As such, Maeda will have many choices.

 

[Tokyo Sox]

That's correct. It has been that way for a couple years now. Under the old blind bidding system there was no max, and only the high bid could negotiate. Under the new system the Japanese team sets the posting fee, up to a max of 20mil. The new system is a much better deal for the Japanese players, and the MLB teams, and worse for the NPB teams, but they have the least leverage in the whole equation.

Maeda has been very heavily scouted by the Sox, Dodgers, and Dbacks. I wouldn't expect him to get a deal anywhere near Tanaka's, but somewhere around 15~16mil/year for 5 or 6 years sounds about right. I don't think he'll be a legit #1 like Tanaka can be when healthy, but I think he has a very high floor. Probable #2 for many teams.

 

[NDame616]

That's what I get for attempting to be knowledgeable!

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

Maeda has been very heavily scouted by the Sox, Dodgers, and Dbacks. I wouldn't expect him to get a deal anywhere near Tanaka's, but somewhere around 15~16mil/year for 5 or 6 years sounds about right. I don't think he'll be a legit #1 like Tanaka can be when healthy, but I think he has a very high floor. Probable #2 for many teams.

Since Buchholz, the Red Sox number two right now, has so many problems staying healthy, I like the idea of signing Maeda and trading Buchholz, especially if the Red Sox can sign him for around 15 million per year.

The Red Sox have SP excess and so I'm not sure if they will go after Maeda at this time but they can easily free up excess in one of two deals. I certainly prefer the idea of signing Maeda over trading prospects (or Jackie Bradley) for Shelby Miller. Even though I like Miller, the Red Sox can acquire Maeda without giving up valuable assets. If Bradley goes in a trade for Miller (I do think Bradley is good enough to be traded for Miller without including additional pieces) the Red Sox will have created a significant hole in their OF.

After losing Grienke, I would think the Dodgers are going to be major players for Maeda.