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MLB Free Agency: 7 best pitchers left on the market

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) reacts after throwing a complete game to defeat the New York Mets in game two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) reacts after throwing a complete game to defeat the New York Mets in game two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of baseball on the MLB logo at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of baseball on the MLB logo at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

7) Kenta Maeda

Casual MLB fans may have no idea who Kenta Maeda is but executives sure do.

Maeda is a 27-year-old right-hander from Japan that last played for the Hiroshima Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan. The team decided to post him for bidding recently so MLB teams can get the chance to sign him.

Maeda is considered the ace of the Carp staff. He posted a 2.08 ERA last season and only walked 41 batters through 206.1 innings. He sits at No. 7, though, because he is an International mystery man.

In Japan, Maeda posted a 1.01 WHIP, which is great. However, he doesn’t strikeout a ton of batters, as he has a career strikeouts per 9 innings of 7.4. It’s not bad at all, but better represents a mid-rotation starter. We also don’t know how well those numbers will translate to the MLB, as star Japanese pitchers have fizzled out fast when making the trip to the U.S.A.

Given the intrigue around Maeda, though, he will be sought after by most teams who need a rotation piece. Anyone from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox could make a run at him.

Next: No. 6 Yovani Gallardo

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