The Detroit Tigers currently share the top position in the American League with the Toronto Blue Jays, each leading their respective divisions. While the Tigers are enjoying a relatively easy path in their division, the Blue Jays are facing tougher competition.
The New York Yankees, one of the leading contenders in the AL, have recently encountered challenges, suffering a sweep against the Miami Marlins. In light of this setback, the Yankees are reportedly seeking to bolster their pitching staff.
As reported by Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Yankees are in discussions to potentially sign Kenta Maeda, a former Tigers pitcher. Maeda played for Detroit over the last two seasons but was released in May 2025 following a difficult start to the season.
During his time with the Tigers, the 37-year-old right-handed pitcher struggled significantly, recording a 7.88 ERA over seven games in 2025. His performance included eight strikeouts, three hit batters, six walks, and nine hits allowed over just eight innings pitched. This represented the lowest ERA+ of his career at 54. The previous season in 2024, he also faced difficulties, posting a 6.09 ERA across 29 games, with a similarly poor ERA+ of 68.
Before joining the Tigers, Maeda had a more favorable track record, with a 3.92 ERA and a 106 ERA+. Nonetheless, he has dealt with struggles in Detroit, achieving a combined ERA+ of 66 in 36 appearances over two seasons.
Despite his challenges in Detroit, Maeda’s prior successes suggest that, if the Yankees can leverage his capabilities pre-Detroit, he could prove to be a valuable addition to their pitching lineup, especially with the trade deadline recently having passed.
This situation highlights the dynamic nature of MLB, where player performance can fluctuate significantly based on environment and circumstances. It remains to be seen if Maeda can reclaim his former prowess, offering hope for a potential resurgence in his career with the Yankees.