Baltimore Orioles show interest in Koji Uehara, other relief pitchers - MLB Update
The Baltimore Orioles have a strong bullpen that has helped them win a number of tight games in the 2012 season. The 29-9 win-loss ratio in single run games speaks volumes of how well the bullpen tackled the tough situations. The club also won 16 of the
18 extra innings games in 2012.
It is now reported that the Orioles may be adding Koji Uehara to the bullpen that already has Jim Johnson, Tommy Hunter and Darren O’Day. It is also suggested by some baseball quarters that the Philadelphia Phillies may also be interested in the 37-year-old
relief pitcher.
Dan Duquette, the executive vice president of the Orioles did not strike down the idea of such a move. He suggested that the team is always looking for good quality pitchers. “We’re always looking for qualified major league pitchers,” he said. “He’s on our
list, we like him. He’s been here before.”
It also appears that Koji is not the only reliever the Orioles are interested in. Kameron Loe, who earlier took free agency after the Milwaukee Brewers designated for assignment is also said to be considered by the Baltimore ball club. In his 70 games in
2010 for the Brewers, he posted a 4.61 ERA with a 6-5 winning record. He has pitched under the watch of Buck Showalter, the Orioles’ manager when he started his Major League career with the Texas Rangers.
Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa is another one the Orioles have held talks with. The right-handed pitcher made his debut in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in 2000 for the Hanshin Tigers.
Koji Uehara has a history with the Baltimore Orioles. He was signed in January of 2009 by the ball club and stayed with the team until he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter in late July of 2011.
During the 2012 season, Uehara posted some good returns for the Rangers. His ERA was 1.75 and a WHIP of 0.64 in 37 games. He struck-out 43 batters in 36 innings.
If the Orioles opt for Koji or any of the other aforementioned options, they may be trading someone currently in the bullpen. Some baseball ranks have suggested that Jim Johnson, who made 51 saves during the 2012 season, will be a good option to move out.
Johnson is expected to attract attention if he is available for trade and club may benefit in such an event.
It will be interesting to see if the Orioles will opt to further strengthen the bullpen or opt against it. It is quite clear that they have not closed their mind to the idea of adding more pitchers to the team. Bearing that in mind, it will not be strange
if we see some changes to the O’s pitching unit in near future.
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