The Twins aren’t done with Kenta Maeda just yet. The veteran right-hander, who became a free agent after the Phillies won the World Series, has signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Right-hander Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a two-year, $24 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Detroit has been all over mid-tier pitching, and the 35-year-old Maeda stays in the American League Central. @JonHeyman had agreement.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 27, 2023
Maeda spent the past four seasons with the Twins, finishing second in the AL Cy Young vote in the Covid-shortened 2020 season and then missing the 2021 and 2022 seasons with injuries.
The 35-year-old returned this past season and made 20 starts, posting a 4.23 ERA while striking out 117 batters in 104.1 innings.
Maeda isn’t the only 2023 Twins starter expected to sign elsewhere. Sonny Gray, who finished runner-up to Gerrit Cole in the Cy Young vote, declined his $20 million option to stay with the Twins and is now being pursued as a free agent.
Minnesota’s 2024 starting rotation is currently set to feature Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and Chris Paddack.
