Los Angeles Dodgers Reach Agreement With Japanese Pitcher Kenta Maeda

Some scouts thus question his ability to be much more than an innings-eater in Major League Baseball. His fastball sits in the 87-92 miles per hour range, but it's his control of the slider, changeup and curveball that make him deadly.

The terms of the contract have not been released, but we do know that the Dodgers will have to post a $20 million release fee on top of Maeda's annual salary. They signed left-hander Scott Kazmir to a three-year deal Wednesday and will also rely on lefty Brett Anderson, in addition to Kershaw. According to Meola, the right-hander can earn an additional $10-12 million per season in incentives.

Wood could be an option in the bullpen or in trade, where he could be particularly attractive because he must play another four seasons before he is eligible for free agency.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Dodgers were all said to be believed in Maeda.

Like Kazmir, the signing of Maeda will not cost the Dodgers a draft pick.

In the absence of a wave of Latin American signings, the draft picks would keep the talent flowing into the Dodgers' revitalized minor league system. He's coming off a year where he went 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA and struck out 175 batters over 206.1 innings.

Maeda, 27, is a veteran of Japan's Central League posting a 97-67 record and 2.39 ERA across eight seasons with the Hiroshima Carp.

Here is Daniel Brim of Dodgers Digest scouting of Maeda.

If Hyun-Jin Ryu, another left-hander, returns fully healed from shoulder surgery to start the season as he hopes, the Dodgers would actually have an extra starting pitcher.

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