Official Kenta Maeda news has Tigers fans celebrating new era in Detroit

It's done, Detroit Tigers fans. Although everybody had to wait a week, it's now official: Kenta Maeda is no longer a member of the Tigers. He was designated for assignment on May 1 and then placed on unconditional release waivers Wednesday.

This is not to rub in Maeda's struggles. Tigers fans certainly wished this would have worked out. They have a glaring need on the pitching staff due to various injuries and Maeda could've been an incredibly valuable piece had he been serviceable.

The celebration is a result of ownership and the front office finally making a meaningful, smart decision and throwing caution to the wind with money. Maeda was among the worst pitchers in the league, logging -2.0 WAR dating back to 2024 (a span of 36 games and 120 1/3 innings).

But, most importantly, the Tigers made the move knowing they would be throwing $10 million in the garbage. In their view, that was the more worthwhile move than having Maeda's $10 million actively work against them.

And that's what winning teams do. The Red Sox designated Pablo Sandoval for assignment despite owing him the second-largest amount of dead money ever. The Dodgers non-tendered Cody Bellinger to upgrade their outfield. The Yankees DFA'd Aaron Hicks for to do the same. There are plenty of other examples from the top contenders of the modern era, but you get it.

Tigers officially release Kenta Maeda after designating him for assignment

Does that immediately thrust the Tigers into that echelon of teams? No. But it certainly represents what could be an inflection point after a decade of overly careful spending and/or sitting on the sidelines as superior talent signed elsewhere.

Under Scott Harris, the Tigers have almost completely changed their ways when it comes to scouting, drafting, developing and signing talent. And now that ownership has been swayed to offer bigger contracts ($171.5 million to Alex Bregman, a supposed sizable extension for Tariks Skubal) in addition to throwing notable expenditures to the curb, we're looking at the ghost of Mike Illitch exerting some influence on the organization.

Sitting atop the American League, the Tigers' 2025 start has been exceeding expectations. The people in charge have noticed that, and they just sent a message that they won't let anything stand in their way to interrupt the good thing they have going.