Kenta Maeda and Daz Cameron Sign Overseas Deals

Kenta Maeda has signed a two-year contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The 37-year-old right-handed pitcher announced his intention to return to Japan in August. This deal marks a significant transition in Maeda's career, effectively closing the chapter on his nine seasons in Major League Baseball, where he posted a 4.20 earned run average and fell just short of 1,000 innings pitched. Maeda began his MLB journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing an eight-year contract prior to the 2015 season, where he had his most successful year in 2016, winning 16 games with a 3.48 ERA. He was later traded to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 2020 season, where he enjoyed a standout year in 2020, finishing as a runner-up in the American League Cy Young voting with a 2.70 ERA over 11 starts. However, injuries plagued his following seasons, including a Tommy John surgery that kept him sidelined in 2022. After an unimpressive stint in 2024 with a 6.09 ERA and a brief role in the bullpen in 2025, the Tigers released him in May. His return to Japan with the Rakuten Eagles is a homecoming, as he previously starred for the Hiroshima Carp for eight seasons before moving to MLB. Maeda is expected to join former big leaguers like Luke Voit and Roansy Contreras on the Eagles roster.

Meanwhile, Daz Cameron has also made a move overseas, agreeing to terms with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization. MLB Trade Rumors reports that while the financial details of Cameron's contract have yet to be disclosed, this opportunity marks a pivotal moment for the 29-year-old outfielder, who was once a highly-touted prospect drafted 37th overall by the Houston Astros in 2015. Known for his speed and defensive capabilities, Cameron has struggled offensively in the majors, accumulating a .200 batting average with a 6.6% walk rate and a 29.9% strikeout rate over 472 plate appearances across five seasons. His performance in the minors has been significantly better, with a .291 average and a 146 wRC+ in 2024 and 2025, indicating a strong potential that was not realized in the big leagues. Cameron’s decision to play in Korea could provide him with a more stable financial situation and a platform to demonstrate his abilities on a larger stage, possibly leading to a return to North America or further opportunities in Asia. This move showcases the expanding landscape of baseball, offering players like Maeda and Cameron various avenues to continue their careers beyond Major League Baseball, reflecting the global nature of the sport.