Kenta Maeda, Yankees Reportedly Discussing Contract After MLB Trade Deadline Moves

The New York Yankees are reportedly discussing a "possible deal" with right-handed starting pitcher Kenta Maeda, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Maeda, 37, made seven relief appearances for the Detroit Tigers this season, posting a 7.88 ERA (1.88 WHIP) over eight innings.

Detroit released him on May 7. Nine days later, the Chicago Cubs signed the nine-season MLB veteran to a minor league contract. He's made 12 starts for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, going 3-4 with a 5.97 ERA (1.38 WHIP) with 45 strikeouts in 57.1 innings over 12 starts.

The Yankees were incredibly busy before the trade deadline, adding David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird.

New York also added third baseman Ryan McMahon, outfielder Austin Slater and a pair of utility players (Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario).

So far, the post-deadline Yankees are 0-3 after a three-game sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. The aforementioned reliever trio notably allowed nine runs (seven earned) in a 13-12 loss to Miami on Friday.

As for Maeda, it's hard to envision him making the Yankees' active roster off the bat, considering his struggles both in the big leagues and Triple-A this year. New York is in a playoff race, sitting four and a half games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first in the AL East. The Yankees currently own the second AL Wild Card spot, but the Texas Rangers, the first team out of the playoff picture, are just two games back.

Maeda has been a solid pitcher for most of his tenure. The ex-Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twin and Tiger posted a 3.75 ERA (1.11 WHIP) over his first five seasons (2016-2020), going 53-36 with a 9.9 K/9 rate.

Maeda regressed a bit in 2021 (6-5 with a 4.66 ERA) for the Twins. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery near the end of the season and missed all of 2022.

He posted a respectable showing in 2023 (4.23 ERA, 117 strikeouts in 104.1 innings over 20 games). However, Maeda struggled in 2024 for Detroit (6.09 ERA) in 29 games (17 starts).

Now he has a fresh start with the Yankees. Meanwhile, the big league club has a crucial three-game series against the aforementioned Rangers beginning Monday in Arlington.