Kenta Maeda: New Twins Ace in Five Numbers

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

And that contract is outrageous. If Maeda fails, the Twins are out one Tyler Clippard contract per year for the next four years.

It is a unique contract for sure, and plenty team friendly. But it's really only if Maeda gets injured that the Twins are out $3 mil a year. He's likely getting a leash for a year or two that will take him into the $8 mil annual range, at least.

 

And if he doesn't excel as a starter, and we'd prefer him in the pen, we might find ourselves in the same predicament that the Dodgers were in -- trying to satisfy his desire and financial interest in remaining a starter. That should get easier as we near the end of the deal, but the first few years could be a tricky balance.