Pete
Thank you for answering my questions about your hometown of Santa Ana . My curioisity in your hometown is because I want to relocate to an area where snow , sub-freezing or ice is not part of winter .

Don't tell me - he strained his shoulder doing shots of sake!

I think Koji will be fine in the bullpen. He seemed to become less effective once he got past 4 innings. Before signing Gonzalez, I thought Koji would have been the best closer candidate. He could still be the top backup plan, should Gonzalez not work out.

koji was just a poor move by the Orioles.

A while back, wayne or gil suggested we look up what people were saying back in Japan about how Koji was doing. It was depressing to learn that he was doing as predicted by the Japanese media and it was also depressing seeing negative things written about the Orioles. Bottom line, people were not aware of Baltimore baseball, accept for Cal. They are very aware now though. Aware of how Baltimore is, as one reporter put it, a place to avoid when it comes to baseball. Quite the opposite effect that was intended. Predictable however, given the fact that the Japanese media knew that Koji was already washed up.

Uehara was a near flawless pitcher through the first 3 innings last year of almost every game he pitched. After that, it was batten the hatches. Koji is not an effective starter anymore, but he may be a super relief pitcher for the O's in 2010.

I think Koji could well turn out to be a great asset to the O's this year in the bullpen. His medium speed and excellent control reminds me of Rodrigo Lopez; let us hope that, like RL, Koji might be a lights-out 3-innings-twice-a-week middle reliever. Let us also hope that, unlike RL, Koji can be happy and comfortable in a role that best utilizes his talents. From what I've read and seen, Koji has pride and a solid work ethic and wants to contribute; be patient with him, O's fans.

I hope it does not get too hot in Florida for our sensitive Japanese pitcher!

I also believe that Koji is going to end up being a very important member of the BP. He can go 3 innings without a problem which every BP in baseball would kill for. His issue was after the 4th inning, he started to have problems with his stamina so I am expecting a great year out of Koji.

I have watched Koji pitch on a few occasions and if he's healthy he is going to do really well in a long relief type roll, if one of the youngsters is having a bad day. He makes batters look down right silly with his changeup and if he doesn't have to go as long in games he is going to be really effective.

I think Koji showed serious commitment by reporting early . I believe this ST/Season will not surprise him like it did last year .
This season , the O's should either consider Koji for following positions , middle relief , set up , or lefty specialist . I dont think Koji has the stamina for starting job and hot humid weather really impacts him.
Good luck this season , Koji , heres hoping for your comeback

The question all of us have is why, after being a successful reliever in Japan, was Koji in the rotation? He made 12 starts, was in every one of them, but, like the above say, he couldn't get past four or five innings, if that. His average was 5.2.

With the Orioles having depth in the rotation, it would seem to be a no-brainer to put Koji into the pen where he belngs. No one said he couldn't make a start if there was an emergency, but his future is in the bullpen. BTW, don't forget he too is pitching for a contract.

i think part of the understanding when he signed last year was that he would get a chance to be a starter. Since we were so desperate for starters it worked out for awhile. He should thrive in the pen...
it was a good move to get him just so in we could get someone else in the future from there

Hello,

They pitched relief 2 years ago in Japan because he couldn;t handle being in a 6 man rotation. We sign him for two years at $10M and think he can start????? Right up there with Eaton and Hill!

This year are 35+ year old inning eater who won 13 games last year with a team scoring 7 runs a game and he is expected to do what pitch 200 innings and win 15 games! Not so fast my friends!

The truth will set you free!

Koji is dog meat. Another horrible year for the o's is on the way, unless miracle performances form young pitchers and retreads

Sentence structure and grammar will set you free!

Posted by: doug | February 16, 2010 2:26 PM

Wayne.

funny how 1 year later you still refer to Koji as "Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara".

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Pete's reply: Force of habit.

Don't mind me, but I'm trying to get my baseball fix so I've been following the National's pick-ups.

Looks like the Redskins fired GM has slid over to the Nationals and started picking up used talent again...

Pete...Has the club announced and has it been confirmed that Koji will work out of the bullpen?

Just for the record. Koji was a STARTER in Japan until an arm injury forced him to the bullpen, where he did a creditable job, and, after announcing his intention to depart for MLB, was permanently assigned there by a disgruntled manager. He wanted to start with the O's and we gave him that chance. Where does he belong? Most likely in the pen but time will tell, and it really gets old with all you hindsighters blasting each and every move that doesn't meet with phenomenal success.

Go O's!

I'm more interested in the masseuse. Does she go into the clubhouse with Koji? Can she lend her services to other players? Maybe Miggy can trade some B-12 for 15 minutes on the lower back. Why did Koji make the change anyway?

As a blind foresighter, I see this as a great move. I feel much better about that 74th win now.

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Pete's reply: It's a he.

Pete,

A "masseuse" is female; a "masseur" is male.