Details of Dodgers-Twins Kenta Maeda Trade Finalized Sunday Night
By Scott Rogust
Less than a week ago, the Boston Red Sox agreed to terms on sending Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Twins. Adding themselves to the mix, the Twins were originally set to gain pitcher Kenta Maeda from Hollywood. However, the trade was in flux all week due to apprehension from the Red Sox.
That is no longer the case on Sunday, as the trade is now back on, but not as a true three-way deal. Minnesota obtained Maeda and $10 million in exchange for pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol, a 2020 Comp. B draft pick (67th overall selection), and a "lower-tier prospect." Graterol will not be going to Boston, however.
#Dodgers sending $10M with Maeda and receiving #MNTwins’ Comp B draft pick in 2020, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020
That lower-tier prospect? Triple-A slugger Alex Raley, who seems too talented to be a throw-in here.
Outfielder Luke Raley is the prospect headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Brusdar Graterol and the 67th pick in the trade that sends Kenta Maeda and $10M cash to Minnesota, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Raley hit .302/.362/.516 at Triple-A last season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 10, 2020
Kenta Maeda Contract Details
Maeda was already set to earn an annual base salary of $3 million through 2023, but can potentially earn up to $9.5 million in incentives per year. So, the $10 million from the Dodgers will pay for the majority of the base salary on his contract.
New #Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda earns a base salary of $3 million through 2023, but can earn as much as $9.5 million annually with incentives. He earned $5.4 million last season. So the $10 million from the #Dodgers will cover most of his base salary for the contract duration.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 9, 2020
Not a bad deal for the Twins.
In the original trade, the Twins were set to move Graterol to the Red Sox. Yet, a day after the trade, Boston suffered from a case of buyer's remorse and began backtracking on the acquisition, citing that Graterol was projected to be a reliever and not a starter. Meanwhile, every fan and their grandmother knew that prior to his medical examination.
Source: Twins are also including one more "lower-tier prospect" in the deal.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) February 9, 2020
Now, the Twins finally get their guy in Maeda. The team spent big bucks on free agent slugger Josh Donaldson, but missed out on free agent pitchers like Madison Bumgarner and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Deals coming together. #Dodgers in agreement with #MNTwins, pending medical review - Maeda and cash would go to MIN for Graterol and another prospect. Other elements perhaps. Meanwhile, per @JeffPassan, LAD and #RedSox in agreement on Betts and Price for Verdugo-Jeter Downs-plus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2020
Despite that, they got a quality arm in Maeda to put in their starting rotation. Last season with the Dodgers, Maeda posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, sporting a 10-8 record.
It took a bit of patience, but Maeda can finally call Minnesota home.