In the off season before 2007, we had quite a few posts on this board about Koji Uehara, a Japanese RH pitcher who is a 2 time winner of the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young.  There was a clamor for the Astros to get into the bidding for Uehara.  As it turned out:, the Yoimuiri Giants pulled out a technicality which prevented him from becoming a free agent and forcing him to play in Japan in 07 and 08.  The Astros went on and traded for Jason Jennings. 

At age 33, Uehara is now ready to become a free agent in the major leagues.  But I don't hear the same clamor about signing him.  The fact that he is two years older probably is one reason; another is that he battled injuries in 2008.  His stats and bio:

http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=uehara

http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=uehara

But the fact remains that he was premier pitcher in Japan.  He was the strike out leader in the World Baseball Classic and was the winning pitcher in the critical game with Cuba to allow Japan to win the WBC.  According to his Wikipedia page, he has never lost in international competition.  He can be used as either a late inning reliever or starter.  The Giants used him as a closer in 2007, and some speculated that they did so in order to reduce his value in the U.S. major leagues.  Reportedly, he throws a low 90's fastball, a forkball, and screwball-type pitch against RHB. He also has excellent control.

According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Angels, Mets, and Orioles are interested in Uehara.  So, naturally, my question is: why not the Astros?  Could he be a cheaper possibility for the rotation?  Recall the kind of success that Hideo Nomo had when he first pitched in MLB..  I could see perhaps the same effect for Uehara.

Perhaps Ed Wade should ask Roger Clemens to help out by giving Uehara a call. Reportedly, Uehara is a fan of Clemens and both became friends when Clemens visited Japan in 2006.  I wonder if Kaz Matsui and Uehara are friends?  They are about the same age and must have known each other in the Japanese league.