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MLB Rumors: 10 free agency signings that need to happen

By Steven McNeil

Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) doubles during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 17, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Japan starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (20) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Puerto Rico at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; Japan starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (20) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal against the Puerto Rico at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Kenta Maeda SP – Los Angeles Dodgers

Let me start this off by saying, I would be shocked if this hasn’t been the Dodgers’ plan to bolster their pitching staff all along. The Dodgers have been linked to pitcher after pitcher this season, with not much going beyond that. The experts thought that Johnny Cueto was the perfect pick for the Dodgers, the experts also all but assumed Zack Greinke was going to return, but Diamondbacks’ GM Dave Stewart had other ideas.

Maeda has some really flashy numbers in his career with the Hiroshima Carp, as he has a 15-8 record with a 2.39 ERA over his eight seasons there, only posting an ERA over 3.00 twice in those eight seasons.

The way the signing of Maeda will work is that any team that wants to negotiate with him needs to pay the $20 million posting fee, and then they can negotiate a potential contract with him. It is then up to Maeda and who he thinks is making the best offer or who he wants to play for. If they do not win the “bidding,” it costs nothing to the team.

We all know the Dodgers have not been shy about dipping their toes into the international waters, being one of the larger players in the Cuban market, as well as being players in the Asian market before, with signings like Hiroki Kuroda and Hyun-jin Ryu. With losing Greinke and the unknown of Ryu due to the torn Labrum from last year, the Dodgers have to come away with something front the starting pitching market, either via trade or free agency.

We should know more about Maeda in the coming days, as the deadline to sign Maeda is January 8, and the Dodgers are already rumored to be interested.

Next: Alex Gordon

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