Pete,

I think this is a great move. Really anyone complaining has to realize that we need to walk before we run. This guy can fill that #4 or #5 slot and as you astutely point out also gives us inroads into the far east.

People we need to really show this guy here the love. He is a bridge player and can lead to better far east signings down the line. It will be harder for us if the reception is poor because we are upset this is not the Japanese version of Johan Santana.

Uehara is a great signing.
The O's stand to make great strides out of this deal.

He might have some decent success if he can throw strikes since the hitters won't be familiar with him.

I think this just made Kawakami's decision a lot easier, knowing that he has a fellow Japanese pitcher with the team. Even though they're both 33, let's hope we can catch lightning in a bottle for a couple of years.

While I'm glad that they signed SOMEONE, I'm really happy that they have made enough progress in Japan to sign a player.

Your next task, Pete, is to find out how to pronounce his name!

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Pete's reply: I think it's pretty easy....YU-E-HAR-A. But why would you take my word for it? I couldn't pronounce Mickolio right for about half the season.

Oh, I think a lot of fans will be happy with this move. We needed an international presence. Now we have one in Japan.

Kawakami will feel a lot better now that he'll have a Japanese pitcher to be friends with. Now, let's get him, and get either Looper or Oliver Perez.

From what I've seen, both Uehara and Kawakami look A LOT better than the pitchers we've been running out, a la Daniel Cabrera, et al. So spring training finally has gotten a bit interesting.

That's great news, but here's a dumb question -- is he pitching for Japan in the WBC this year? I'm having flashbacks to when our Dominican, Canadian, Mexican and Panamanian pitchers all were busy last time around...

移動オリオールズ -----> Translation: Go Orioles!!!

Pete,
Even if this doesn't work out on the field, what a great move by the O's. Once we build the necessary infrastructure for Uehara it will become so much easier to make moves in the future!

Too bad his name isn't pronounced OO-EE-HARA. It could be the foundation for a rewrite of the song, "Sea Cruise." The chorus could have been:

oo-ee
oo-ee-hara
oo-ee
oo-ee-hara
oo-ee
oo-ee-hara, won'tcha pitch me a few innings for the lame-o's?

This cannot be regarded as "a great signing" as some have suggested no matter how low the expectations are, BUT ... IT IS A POSITIVE MOVE of some measure ... the first of this off-season by MacPhail.

Oops. Actually, the second. I forgot the Orioles got rid of their former mattress, er, catcher.

移動オリオールズ translates to "Portable orioruzu." "Learning Japanese" needs to learn Japanese!

Hey Pete-

Any idea on whether or not the O's will still sign Kawakami? Or were they only looking to sign one of the two Japanese pitchers?

Also I was wondering if there's any chance we could nab Oliver Perez. He's had some control issues but he's also had two straight solid seasons, would provide a LHP in the rotation, and has a tremendous upside. Or maybe he's just a lefty d-cabrera....

Keep up the blogging!

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Pete's reply: I doubt they end up with both and think they'll concentrate on position guys for the next couple of weeks.

BTW, Go Orioles is オリオールズは行く

Pete, this is great news.

I like the move. I wonder if the O's are willing to spend the money to get the opportunity to sign some of the big money Japanese players. Daisuke cost the Red Sox $51 million just to have the opportunity to sign him. Would Angelos be willing to spend that kind of money just to get the chance to sign him? Furthermore, that posting fee gave the Red Sox only 30 days to sign Matsuzaka to a contract; I don't think that AM and Angelos can complete a contract in that short amount of time.

But, despite all this, good work opening up another market.

I think this is a solid move by the O's and a step in the right direction for an international presence. I'll be excited to cheer the guy on. I am curious to see how much his contract is worth though. I'm betting in the neighborhood of what Cabrera would have cost us through arbitration.

I do find it slightly amusing that people assume this will make signing Kawakami easier. Maybe it will, but maybe they really can't stand each other too. Just because they're both from the same country doesn't mean they're buddies.

So we got a communications officer?

Oh wait thats Uhura.

well he should certainly be effective the first time around the a.l. in other news former city college quarterback kurt schmoke, not to be confused with blogmeister peter schmuck, was seen on "hardball" tonight apparently representing roland burris of illinois in burris' quest to become a u.s. senator. no word whether burris, if not seated by teh senate, would be part of a roberts for floyd deal.

Well if he doesn't work out he could always be in the next godzilla movie..He throw strikes that's a huge plus for an O.

well he should certainly be effective the first time around the a.l. in other news former city college quarterback kurt schmoke, not to be confused with blogmeister peter schmuck, was seen on "hardball" tonight apparently representing roland burris of illinois in burris' quest to become a u.s. senator. no word whether burris, if not seated by the senate, would be part of a roberts for floyd deal.

Some things to take into consideration:

In Japan, each team uses their own baseball at their home park.

The baseballs are of different materials and of smaller size than the major league baseball.

The hitters and league as a whole isn't quite as talented as the players we have over here. That is why a guy that can't get a job here can go to Japan and put up big numbers.

But yes, this is a step in the right direction. Very good move even if the on field results aren't amazing. Perhaps Kawakami is still in the mix, and with the addition of Redding or Looper, we can fill the rotation with Guthrie, Kawakami, Uehara, Hendrickson, Redding/Looper/Penn.

All of the young arms get to stay in the minors and earn their way onto the major league staff in coming years, which is what MacPhail has said all along.

*YaY* finally a pitcher...a pitcher with a very, very good career era in the Japanese league, hopefully it translates to the Orioles and the AL East...we shall see....over all i am pleased with the transaction, although i would have probably rather had kenshin kawakami....just glad we signed a quality rotation guy and expanded our market to Japan....

what do you think of trying to get Oliver Perez?...despite his agent being Boras....do you think he could cut it in the AL East? I read that Boras compared him to Johan...i got a horse laugh outta that.

Pete,
I agree with what looks like the majority here. Koji Uehara (and I have a feeling we will all be cheering for him by his first name and not his last) is legit. Even if he ends up a back of the rotation starter this signing is a huge success. My gut tells me this won't help us getting Kawakami but
hopefully Koji puts the word out to Japan that Baltimore is a great place to live and play.
Lets hope he likes crabcakes!!!

Great Move! Why don't we trade Roberts for Floyd, start Freel at 2nd, and sign Kawakami? That gives us Guthrie, Floyd, Kawamaki, and Uehara 1-4 in the rotation. Then we can try to salvage Penn in the 5th slot with Hendrickson in reserve. And we don't lose much at 2B. How does that sound to you, Pete?

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Pete's reply: Sounds great, but the White Sox apparently aren't shopping Floyd.

Assuming he pronounces his name like all the Uehara's I've known, you were pretty close Pete. Just instead of the YU-E, the first part would be Oo-A.

Plenty of Uehara's here in the islands, though I don't think any of them can pitch with the movement that our new guy has.

Pete,
Still on the Chad Bradford thing, dont the Orioles have the option to decline cash and demand a minor league player? Just wondering this is what i dont like about the "player to be named" trade.

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Pete's reply: I don't know that, but what would be the point of demanding a player if nobody was designated to begin with. They've got a body for each minor league slot, so the player has to be better than someone they've already got.

I think this is not to bad of a thing for them. Atleast look at it this way, it cant be any worse than having Liz or Olsen struggle like they did last year. He is experienced too.

Pete, any word on Matt Treanor? Haven't heard his name in a couple weeks.

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Pete's reply: He signed with the Tigers.

Pete, Who was the Korean pitcher the Orioles had in their minor leagues and where is he now?

Pete,

The door has been opened! Excellent move by Andy and John, lets hope this is just the beginning of things for the future! As a perk maybe seeing something different will be effective for a while, Nomo had the same effect!

I find it hard not to be skeptical about this move. Yes, the Orioles need pitching and he's at least a warm body, but if this guy is any good, why would he have signed with Baltimore and not someone with a better chance to win (like every other free agent)? From what I have read, Uehara is a pitcher that couldn't find a role on his Japanese team by bouncing from the pen to a struggling starter. Sounds sort of familiar, so maybe he'll fit right in here.

Pete,

woohoo, thats so great, i am so happy to be an o's fan, wow, angelos is really a fantastic owner, i mean why wouldn't the o's sign a sucky pitcher from japan, they sign all the sucky pitchers from the USA, this team is such a joke and it keeps getting funnier

does anyone not involved with a corporation hold season tickets anymore? if so, why? why give angeloser anymore money? when you are going to purchase o's tix this year, please think twice, go to the movies and with the money left over, donate to a charity, please Baltimore stop putting more money is angelosers pocket, its the only way to make him realize we won't stand for this crap anymore

Gotta say I like the inroads on this one. He struck out Bonds a few times in the All Stars Series, so maybe he can bring a little of that mojo with him.

Good highlight clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TausE4nhypk

Maybe the signing of Uehara will hopefully convince Kawakami to sign with the O's. It would be nice to have two experienced pitchers from Japan to support Guthrie and whoever else that will be on the starting rotation this spring rather than having pitchers who are really inexperienced.

First off, Lt. Uehara was an excellent communications officer on trhe Enterprise. Kudos on signing her away from Star Fleet.

Second, I have to say I was really, really touched (I mean, truly touched) to read about the way Tex's wife encouraged him to be all he could be - a Yankee.

I hope Tex takes her down to E Baltimore Street as I remember as a youth in the 70s so she can suck down a "Polock all the way" to celebrate.

At least, that's what Polock Johnny told me they were called.

At least we potentially have two starters. My guess this may be a move to also sign Kawanaki. I am amazed that teams are not taking a chance on Ben Sheets. Why would the O's avoid bringing in a known top tier starter who can help the young arms as well?

In addition, Dunn is a young power hitter we could use in the middle of our lineup. Making these moves would help the O's if the plan is for 2010.

I get that they know they can't compete for the Series this year, but, nothing wrong with just competing.

THANK GOD THERE IS ONE TEAM IN BALTIMORE THAT HAS THEIR ACT TOGETHER

LET's GO RAVENS!!!!

Hello, Pete,
I can understand that you do not know how good (or how bad) Uehara is. But all I can ask is to give him some time to get used to a new environment. Even Matsuzaka, one of few successful Japanese ballplayers in the big league, took some time to get recognized. Anyway, he gave his arm and shoulder good rest last season since he did not work as hard as previous years, so he won't be worn out easily. Gambare, Uehara!

Hey pete,
Long time reader first time commenter =D.

Firstly, I just wanted to say that I like this signing and I like that the O's are expanding their scouting program.

Secondly, I hope this means they'll send some scouts down to Aus, we've put a couple guys in the majors like Grant Balfour and Peter Moylan.

Check this out for all the Aussie stats in the majors and minors:

http://www.pflintoff.com/USSTATS.htm

Not to impressive...but worth at least a good look if only during the World Baseball Classics.

And btw last I heard Justin Huber is a minor league free agent who plays first base and could work AAA to add some depth.

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Pete's reply: Your wish is their command. They've got somebody on a trip down there right now. Thanks for signing on. Don't be a stranger.

Pete,
I'm a big supporter of the Orioles rebuilding process. I agree that they need good starting pitching but they need bats too. Why don't they make a push for Ken Griffey Jr? He should have a good 2-3 yrs left in him and it seem's like he's allways hit well in Oriole Park and he would be a good influence and leader for the new generation of Birds. He already has his name out on Eutaw St on the Warehouse since he is the only one to hit it on the fly in the history of Oriole Park during the Homerun Derby in 93 and he hit one of the balls on the ground out there that marks the distance the ball was hit and date it was hit. He has one of the nicest swings in the game. He has probably just as nice of a swing as Rafael Palmeiro did. Anyway just a suggestion to help them out for a cpl yrs.

Pete,
Do you really think this will make a huge difference in future players wanting to sign with the O's? Aren't Japanese ball players aware of the other MLB teams even if they don't have Japanese players? What's the difference if we have a Japanese player?

And for the Griffey talk, he hit the Warehouse in 1993 which by my math, was 16 years ago. He could not hit a decent fastball this past season but he may be the only guy that will sign here since he may not have other suitors.

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Pete's reply: Sure, Japanese players know about all the major league teams, but there has to be some word-of-mouth in Japan about the best places to play. Since nobody has played for the O's until now, they would not even be in that conversation.

"Portable orioruzu"

Now that's a cheer I can get behind!

This United Nations huzzah stuff is all well and good, but so far as I am concerned, the guy can pitch or he can't. And if he can't, we don't need him, regardless of nationality.

And the bottom line is that he is willing to play for the Orioles, which proves that he can no longer pitch. If he could, he would have signed elsewhere.

To paraphrase Groucho Marx, we should have no interest in any free agent who is willing to play for us.

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Pete's reply: Totally unrelated side note. On "You Bet Your Life" during the puritanical 1950s, Groucho had a contestant who had 18 kids. Groucho asked the guy, "Why do you have 18 kids?, and the guy answered "Because I love my wife." Groucho shot back, "I love my cigar, but I take it out once in awhile."

Rich - nice highlight clip! It looks like Koji has some pretty good talent. He kind of reminds me of Tim Hudson. How that translates into the major leagues remains to be seen, but he looked like had some nasty stuff.

Tim - there's no way the Orioles sign Ken Griffey Jr. I'd rather see them sign Adam Dunn or trade for Billy Butler of KC or Lars Anderson of Boston.

Pete - with the way prices are dropping, are the Orioles in on Oliver Perez or Ben Sheets?

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Pete's reply: Not that I have heard.

One down...
Any word out of Chicago on the Brian Roberts trade rumors (are the cubs even still interested?)
I am glad the Orioles made this signing. Now they won't be the last name on Japanese players lips.

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Pete's reply: Go back a couple of blog entries on the main page for the answer to that question.

right or wrong the oeo's finally did something positive. i am wondering also why no one has taken a flyer on ben sheets. he was the leader of the staff until cc.came to town. some times a chance has to be taken. no rerun of A. belle. hopefully!!!!!

I don't care how you pronounce his name, I already love him. He has an almost 6-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. I'd rather let batters hit off a tee than to watch last year's pitchers treat home plate as a forbidden zone. Of course, opposing hitters wouldn't prefer to hit off a tee as long as the Orioles are willing to send Jamie Walker to the mound.

A HUGE step in the right direction. Without speculating on any additional pitching acquisitions, this still might allow both Liz and Olson to regroup and flourish again in AAA ball. Imagine these starting staffs :

AAA Norfolk - Liz, Olson, Bergeson, Berken, Hernandez

AA Bowie - Tillman, Arrietta, Spoone, Matusz, Zagone

A Frederick - any five from Beato, Salberg, Noel, Renshaw, Erbe, Britton, Gleason

The pipeline is filling and soon the reservoir will overflow. Our farm clubs should be very much improved this year and finally be a consistent feeder for the O's again.

I can still picture the big guy in his overalls on "You Bet Your Life", looking down at his feet in embarrassment, as he set up Groucho for one of the greatest lines in the history of TV. Groucho put the finishing touch on the "I like my cigar, too..." line with his trademark wiggling of the eyebrows and flick of his cigar.

I always will applaud progress, but the problem I see here is that this guy is projected as a #4 or #5 pitcher in the MLB...but since we currently have only one pitcher worth his salt then he gets bumped up to #2...which will not help his numbers. They are now saying they want to leave the other slots open for the minor league players, but I am sorry neither Olson nor Liz showed they had what it takes to stay up here. I swear if Baez is our #5 pitcher I don't know how I could watch this team next year.

The bad Japanese in these blog comments is probably a precursor for all the bad Japanese you'll be hearing on broadcasts. Let's try not to look like provincial yahoos, people.

Japanese fans wouldn't say, "Orioles go." They would say, "Orioles gambare (gam- bar - ay)," which translates as "Do your best, Orioles!"

The new guy's name is pronounced "Oo-ay-har-a" Japanese grammar is confounding, but unlike English it is very easy to pronounce; all vowel sounds are always exactly as written. "E" is pronounced "ay"

If Japanese pitchers are anything like the exchange rate, then I'm not hopeful about this signing. We need to pick up a couple of other pitchers

Pete,

While I'm very happy about the Japanese signing was shocked when I saw in the Post that the Orioles officially signed their first Japanese starting pitcher yesterday, inking Koji Uehara to a two-year deal worth $10 million, though the deal also has another $6 million in reachable incentives.
And Pavano and Sheetz and other respectable, known guys can't be paid? I understand there is a cost to doing business and premium to buy your way into a market or as Illinois government goes "Pay to Play" but what about some love to some semi proven professional pitchers?

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Pete's reply: Because, if the Orioles sign those two guys and they both come up sore in spring training, everybody and his brother is going to cast MacPhail as Syd Thrift and nod knowingly about how dumb he was to sign injured players. The reason you're not going to get that kind of bold move is because the team has no margin for error with the fans as it is.