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Dodgers News: Kenta Maeda Earned Nearly $9 Million In Performance Bonuses During 2016 Season

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

After another disappointing early exit from the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason largely began as expected. Zack Greinke and Howie Kendrick rejected the qualifying offer and reached free agency, while Brett Anderson accepted the one-year pact.

While Los Angeles was viewed as the prohibitive favorite to re-sign Greinke, he made a stunning late decision to sign a six-year, $206.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After other starters came off the market, the Dodgers signed Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda.

But that wasn’t without first agreeing to a three-year, $45 million contract with Hisashi Iwakuma. Los Angeles backed away from the deal after seeing the results of Iwakuma’s physical, and he re-signed with the Seattle Mariners.

Although the situation was not unprecedented, there was an element of shock to how the situation unfolded. Surprise also set in when the Dodgers announced their deal with Maeda was for eight years and a base salary of $25 million. He received a $1 million signing bonus.

The Dodgers are also responsible for a $20 million release fee payable to the Hiroshima Carp, which is spread out over 18 months since January 2016.

As the top pitcher in Japan over recent seasons, Maeda was expected to garner a substantial contract. What was only described as “irregularities” were found in his physical, explaining the incentive-laden contract.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman repeatedly stated the club would have no qualms over paying more than Maeda’s guaranteed annual salary as it would likely equate to on-field production.

Unbeknownst to Friedman, Maeda would go on to become the workhorse for a starting rotation that was led by Clayton Kershaw. The right-hander managed to remain healthy throughout the season while countless others were rotated on and off the disabled list.

Maeda led the team in starts (32), innings pitched (175.2) and strikeouts (179). Aside from a bonus that came with making the Opening Day roster, he was eligible to earn additional salary for starts made and innings pitched.

Maeda’s ballyhooed regular-season finale on Sunday triggered a $1.5 million bonus. The Dodgers swapped the order of their pitching probables so that Maeda would make two starts prior to the regular season concluding.

He said the decision was due to a preference of pitching in a live game as opposed to a simulated game. Roberts strongly stated Maeda deserved to be compensated for his work.

Ultimately, the 28-year-old earned $8.9 million in bonuses this season. Had Maeda managed to go seven frames on Sunday, he would have earned an additional $250,000 for reaching 180 innings pitched this season. Complete breakdown (in chronological order) of his bonuses below.

DateAmountPerformance Bonus
April 4$150,000Opening Day roster
June 25$1,000,00015 games started
June 30$250,00090 innings pitched
July 10$250,000100 innings pitched
July 23$1,000,00020 games started
July 23$250,000110 innings pitched
July 29$250,000120 innings pitched
Aug. 9$250,000130 innings pitched
Aug. 23$1,500,00025 games started
Aug. 23$250,000140 innings pitched
Sept. 5$250,000150 innings pitched
Sept. 16$250,000160 innings pitched
Sept. 21$1,500,00030 games started
Sept. 27$250,000170 innings pitched
Oct. 2$1,500,00032 games started
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com