The New York Yankees, a contending team relying out of necessity on Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco to fill two rotation spots, are eagerly exploring any potential upgrades ahead of the trade deadline. Unfortunately, one of the newest options to become available might be an even bigger liability than what they already have.
Veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda was recently designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers after posting a brutal 7.88 ERA over eight innings in seven relief appearances. Once a dependable starter, Maeda’s decline has been steep — he wrapped up the first year of a two-year contract last season with a disappointing 6.09 ERA across 112 1/3 innings.
In cutting Maeda and absorbing his remaining salary, the Tigers — who are surprisingly neck and neck with the Yankees in the AL standings — made a decisive move that New York typically shies away from. Ironically, that financial flexibility might make Maeda more attractive to the Yankees when it should actually be a warning sign.
While his Dodgers prime still lingers in some fans’ memories, Maeda no longer resembles that pitcher, and the Yankees would be unwise to gamble on stretching him out as a starter again. The risk far outweighs any perceived upside.
Despite Carrasco’s inconsistency and overall poor performance, he has at least delivered a few serviceable outings — including five shutout innings against Toronto and a one-hitter against Kansas City. Those flashes of effectiveness give him a slight edge over Maeda, whose recent form offers little to be optimistic about.
The Yankees would be better off cutting ties with Carrasco sooner rather than later — but looking to Maeda as the answer could end up making their pitching problems even worse.
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