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What about Uehara?

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.

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Even though both links look the same....

the first one if the Wikipedia page and the second one has the stats.

by clack on Nov 15, 2008 12:17 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

If the Astros sign him...

They can’t be ready to go with a huge contract like the one given to Kosuke Fukudome. If anyone signs him, it should be a one year contract valued around 5 million. It looks like in 2008, he was used as a set-up man or a middle releif guy. The price for a good releiver is around 5 million right now and he could be the added push that the Astros need in their bullpen.

The Trade-Maker

by dasox313 on Nov 15, 2008 1:10 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

According to his Wikipedia article...

he returned to the starting role in 2008, after appearing as the closer in 2007. I suspect that the stats in 08 reflect some mixture of starting, relieving, and time off for injury. Maybe someone who knows more about Japanese baseball can tell us.

by clack on Nov 15, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I would pull for getting Uehara.

I liked him last year. For some reason I don’t see the Astros doing it though/. And besides, we have one issue we need to resolve first (which, I’m still amazed I have not heard a single thing about this guy yet)

BEN SHEETS BEN SHEETS BEN SHEETS!

by entropic soul on Nov 15, 2008 2:35 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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