Trail Droppings 2035-5 Calgary Loses Both Leonard and Maeda

[indiansfan]

Calgary Loses Both Leonard and Maeda

The Pioneers lost two long time fixtures this week in free agency, with Dan Leonard signing with San Antonio and Atsumori Maeda signing with Nashville. Both players had been long time fixtures in Calgary and both signed with their new teams to two year deals.

“We tried like hell to get Dan back here,” said Calgary GM Kevin Dickson when informed of the news. “We thought we had a deal. Every time we talked to his agent he told us that Dan favored our deal. Then San Antonio slips in at the last minute. God blessed dammit to hell. How much did they pay him?” When informed of the amount, Dickson just shook his head and walked away.

The team had quietly been trying to sign Leonard for a more reasonable deal than the $16 million he asked for at the end of the season. It is believed the team offered him a 2-3 year deal worth $5-6 million per year. He signed a two year deal worth $7.6 million per year. Calgary had plans to move Juan Karyabwite to right field and put Leonard in left field against right handed pitchers. The platoon would keep his bat in the lineup but give him more games off then he has had in recent seasons.

Leonard ranks high on the Calgary leader boards in several categories. He is third in career hits with 2570 and would have taken the lead this year. He was expected to be the first Pioneer to reach 3000 hits with the team. He is fourth in games, at bats, runs and stolen bases along with being the team’s all time leader in singles. He was a four time all star and played on Calgary’s 2021 Landis winning team, his first full season as a starter.

Maeda has been in the Calgary rotation for the past 8 seasons running up a 109-82, 4.01 ERA. He was always a solid starter, while not spectacular. His best season was 2030 when he went 18-12. The team had made clear that it was not going to try to resign him after he also asked for $16 per year. Maeda signed with Nashville for $9.7 million for this year with an option for the same next season. He has 195 career wins and should be able to reach 200 for the Goats.

“The paid him what?.” Assistant GM Adrian Rivera said rhetorically. “I mean he is 37 and only has one good pitch left! Well at least he should bring in some fans.”

[usnspecialist]

i definitely didnt realize Maeda was close to 200 wins, that puts him tied with jon chandler for #5 on the active list (and really 3rd because with estes and boone at 1/2 they dont exactly get on the bump often these days). If he can get 25 wins over the course of that deal (very possible), he would be knocking on the top 20 all time. Not bad for a guy who only has 1 top 3 Nebraska finish (3rd in 2026 behind teammate Enrique Gomez and Ricardo Diaz).