There’s always that one move that front office remorse the moment it backfires. It starts with big money, vital headlines, and fan expectations. Fast forward a season or two, and it’s all memes, finger-pointing, and “how did this even happen?” energy. That is where the Detroit Tigers found themselves recently—caught in a plight of dollars, disappointment, and disbelief. The pitcher was once a postseason wealth, a strikeout machine for a contender out West. Now? He’s a $10 million issue thrown aside like a seized lottery ticket. Tigers fans are not just disappointed—they’re done. And as it ends up, they are not alone.
When the Tigers allocated a 2-year, $24 million contract in 2023, it looked like a savvy veteran grab. A former Dodgers postseason warrior with a track record of 614 strikeouts in just 137 appearances between 2016 and 2019? Hard to pass up. But by 2025, Kenta Maeda was no longer the same arm. His ERA inflated to 7.88, opponents were hitting over .300 against him, and the Tigers were getting scorched every fifth day. The ultimate straw came fast—Detroit designated him for assignment, effectively pulling the plug on the $10 million they still owed him this season.
In addition, it was not just an internal decision—it became a public event. The moment the news was released, @DodgersNation agitates the pot on X: “Kenta Maeda has been DFA’d by the Detroit Tigers. Maeda previously pitched for the Dodgers from 2016 to 2019. Would you welcome his return to LA at 37-years-old“?
The answers? Brutal. A massive “no thanks” from Dodgers fans who had already moved on. Tigers fans, on the other hand, were not even trying to be polite. Some called it the “worst $10M capitalization of the rebuild,” while others suggested Maeda should have retired after his Tommy John surgery in 2021, when his velocity dipped and never came back.
But here’s the gambit—this was not just a “bad year” situation. The writing had been on the wall since the previous season. Maeda posted a 6.09 ERA in 2024 and struggled to go deep into games. His command wobbled, the fastball lost bite, and the slider no longer fooled anyone. It felt like seeing an old highlight reel in slow motion—everything looked familiar, just not productive.
What made things worse was the difference from his Dodgers days. Back then, Maeda was well-grounded. Not flashy, but steady. Now, Detroit’s $24 million gamble looks like a lost bid on past glory. And with every inning he threw in 2025, supporters became less nostalgic and more indignant. That is the mental weight behind the word “washed“. It is not just related to data—it is related to trust gone bitter.
Kenta Maeda has been DFA’d by the Detroit Tigers.
Maeda previously pitched for the Dodgers from 2016-2019 and logged 614 strikeouts across 137 appearances.
Would you welcome him back in LA at 37-years-old? pic.twitter.com/ashZBwLigU
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) May 2, 2025
Fans don’t turn on talents easily. But when performance falls drastically, and the price tag keeps rising, sympathy runs out fast. For Maeda, the razz was not just from Comerica Park—they echoed all the way back to Chavez Ravine. And the quietness from the Tigers’ front office? Shrill.
Fans reaction to Tigers’ $10 million loss
The moment Dodgers Nation posted the question—whether Maeda deserved another chance on the team—replies spread like wildfire. The Dodgers fans did not stop and turned the simple question into a harsh referendum on the star’s future. As this question gained momentum, five standout fan reactions captured the mood effectively.
A fan reacts with a jab, asking by saying, “Can he play third base?” This was a total sarcastic take, however, it was a dig at the Dodgers’ current injury mess, specifically, with Tyler Glasnow‘s inconsistency. Still, Maeda’s pitching résumé does not exactly place him as a utility player. As proof, in 2025, Kenta Maeda’s ERA is 7.88. In addition, he is a pitcher and not a third baseman, and does not have any experience as a third baseman. This fan’s reaction was comic relief instead of a serious proposal.
Another fan did not waste time and sugar-coated his stance by saying, “Maeda is washed beyond measure.” This reaction sounds brutal, however, the star’s stats this season back it up. With a WHIP of 1.88 and opponents batting high against him, his struggles were systemic. Maeda’s velocity dipped. While he had played good in spring training, with a fastball reaching 92 mph, his performance at the period of the regular season was inconsistent, with his velocity dropping to 91-92 mph.
The frustration only became louder. “No thnx, even with the current state of Dodgers injuries,” another fan said. That highlights the untrust of the fans, specifically, when the Dodgers’ pitching staff is clinging to duct tape. There are multiple Dodgers stars on the IL. For instance, Blake Snell, Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Emmet Sheehan, River Ryan and Gavin Stone are all on the IL. Shohei Ohtani is not ready to pitch. However, with Yamamoto, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin all active for the team, the Dodgers’ pitching staff is still powerful, and with such a powerful rotation, no team will need Maeda.
Another reaction slammed the brakes totally: “nope. Bad ideas. He is getting worse, not better.” The data agree. The strikeout rate of Maeda plummeted from 26.2 percent in 2020 to just 18.9 percent this season. While age is just a number, Father Time has clearly caught up with the star. His FIP is running around 5.00, which highlights this decrease is not just bad luck—it is real regression.
Still, not all fans hit the eject button for him. One fan threaded a hopeful needle by saying, “if the Dodgers tank sees something left in his tank”. It is a fair point. The team has revived careers before—Noah Syndergaard and Tyler Anderson are instances, to varying outcomes. However, Maeda’s current power could be too far gone for the team’s pitching wizards to resuscitate. Unless there is a vital resurgence hiding in Triple-A, that tank could already be empty.
Maeda’s DFA did not just highlight the end of a tough Tigers stint—it opened the floodgates for fans that are clearly moved on. Whether it is sarcasm, concern, or outright rejection, the message is clear: an old feeling is not powerful enough to outweigh current issues. What do you think—do the Dodgers need to look back? Is Maeda’s chapter for the Dodgers permanently closed?
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