Yankees make beyond questionable post-trade deadline signing after Tigers DFA

In their continued effort to stockpile underwhelming arms to create the greatest group of garbage innings-eaters in MLB, the New York Yankees made another signing on Monday that will draw the ire of the fanbase.

Kenta Maeda is joining the Yanks on a minor-league contract after he opted out of his contract with the Cubs. He was stuck at Triple-A Iowa, and for good reason. The right-hander had a 5.97 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 57 1/3 innings (12 starts). That's very much not an improvement from what he's endured the last two seasons.

Earlier this year, the Detroit Tigers said "no more of this" and designated Maeda for assignment, willing to pay the $10 million owed to him as long as he didn't play for them. The right-hander had a 7.88 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in his eight innings in 2025. Last year, he finished with a 6.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 112 1/3 innings.

Many Tigers fans figured the DFA would come in the offseason, but Detroit's front office wanted to see if any changes could be made prior to the start of the new year. Negative. Maeda has just absolutely fallen off a cliff since 2023.

Yankees sign Kenta Maeda and fans are rightfully frustrated (but also laughing)

In all honesty, Maeda hasn't been effective since 2021. After his impressive stint during the shortened 2020 season, he's failed to conclude a year with an ERA under 4.23. What's even more concerning is that the Tigers have developed some incredible pitchers — both starters and relievers — under AJ Hinch and Chris Fetter. The fact Maeda has only gotten worse under their tutelage suggests we might be at the point of no return.

But once again, this isn't about effectiveness. This is about the Yankees ensuring that they have enough bodies to get through the year ... because they never seem to have enough, and they definitely haven't had enough good ones over the last few years.

The Yankees have limped out of the All-Star break and have looked worse than ever since the trade deadline. The signing of Maeda lines right up with all of that.