Japanese Righthander Kenta Maeda Won't Be Posted

Several posters here had expressed an interest in the Cubs looking at Kenta Maeda, a righthanded pitcher in Japan's NPB for the Hiroshima Carp.

Now, via the Japan Times, we learn that Maeda won't be posted by the Carp:

Hiroshima Carp owner Hajime Matsuda indicated Monday the team is unlikely to accept tender bids for Kenta Maeda under the posting system this offseason following the right-hander’s disappointing season in 2014.

"We have the right. We would like to let him go, but based on his production this year it will be difficult," Matsuda said.

At the earliest, Maeda, 26, will become eligible for overseas free agency during the 2017 offseason.

Maeda, a winner of Japanese baseball’s prestigious Sawamura Award, told his team in 2013 of his desire to play in the major leagues. This season, Maeda went 11-9 with a 2.60 ERA.

On Sunday, Maeda said, "I have more regrets this season (than anything else)," adding that he had no plans in particular to make a move during this offseason.

Maeda was no lock to play for the Cubs, as there were other teams interested, but he is one to cross of the list of possible starting rotation candidates. What does this do, if anything, to Theo & Jed's search this winter? Discuss.