Orioles: Could Koji come back?
Relief pitcher Koji Uehara was one of the most dependable pitchers on the Orioles staff before the deal that sent him and $2 million in cash to the Rangers for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter, but he didn't have the same kind of success in Texas and will not be on the active roster for the World Series.
That's got to be a bummer for Koji and baseball fans in Japan, but it might turn out to be a boon for the Orioles if they have any interest in getting him back for the 2012 season. He and his family like Baltimore and his spot in the bullpen is still open. His 2012 contract option kicked in late in the season, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers would consider sending him back for a modest price to move his salary off the payroll.
Uehara is a better fit here anyway. He is not a great hot weather pitcher, so the prospects for a full season in Arlington aren't very good. The Orioles, on the other hand, settled on the right pitching regimen for him and he was very effective here before the trade.
No matter what happens, Koji's absense from the World Series roster make the Orioles' end of the deal look pretty good. Hunter will to to spring camp as a member of the projected starting rotation and Davis facilitated Mark Reynolds successful move to first base.
Reuters photo
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Comments
I am lookng forward to the return of Koji. Watching hiim falter in Texas is a shame. If he can return to the Orioles, it will be a steal. His arm is needed here. He was one of the few bright spots the O's pitching staff had on a regular basis.
Posted by: stu elman | October 19, 2011 2:42 PM
Andy MacPhail is a trading genius.
Posted by: David | October 19, 2011 3:08 PM
For the O's, Koji would fill the bill for a veteran reliever that can fit into certain roles in the pen. With Texas's wealth of pitching, I doubt that they would miss him much and probably have a cheaper option coming up from the minors. Got to agree they maybe happy to get out from under his 2012 contract.
Koji's not going to create a lot of demand with other teams, those Hr's in t he playoffs aren't going to drive up his price.
Bringing Koji back could also help the O's when it comes to trying to sign additional players from Japan.
Baltimore hasn't been a place that Japanese players leaned toward signing with in the past. The O's could make a push to change that perception and try and p/u some players for the high minors and ML roster to help drive a quick upgrade of the roster.
Having Koji back to fill a role in the pen and serve as an elder statesman when the O's negotiate with players from Japan could be a smart gamble.
Posted by: MountainFan | October 19, 2011 3:25 PM
Bring Koji back? Only if the O's continue to play in Baltimore. That would be a player personnel coup along the lines of (a) send Bordick to Mets for Mora and Kinkade, (b) resign Bordick and have both Bordick and Mora on next season's roster. Bring Koji back!
Posted by: rphall | October 19, 2011 3:49 PM
I would definitely welcome Koji back. I believe that he'd be a good fit being the setup man and then using Johnson in the 9th.
Posted by: Charles | October 20, 2011 1:18 AM
Koji will still get a ring with Texas.
Posted by: Dennis in WV | October 20, 2011 5:48 AM
Davis may have facilitated Reynolds' move to 1B, but let's hope that Showalter is interested in winning more games in 2012. If that is to happen, Reynolds will need to be moved to DH where he can place all of his concentration on hitting and cut down on those Ks. Davis hasn't qualified to be a full-time starter at 3B........ Aramis Ramirez has.
Posted by: dsspedden | October 20, 2011 7:49 AM
YES! BRING KOJI BACK!!!!!
Posted by: Charlotte Lawrence (nee Cohen) | October 20, 2011 8:39 AM
Pete - Koji could come back, but relief pitchers are hardly dependable year to year, plus you have to consider his age next year.
I'd welcome him back, but considering his injury history and age, he's hardly dependable.
Posted by: dave in glen burnie | October 20, 2011 5:09 PM
I would love to see Koji return to Baltimore. You're right, Peter, he was very successful here, and the climate certainly suits him better. Frankly, he should've been the fulltime closer for the O's instead of Kevin Gregg, IMO.
Posted by: Dean Morrison | October 21, 2011 9:51 AM
I like the idea. I always was a huge fan of him. Plus even though he didnt do to well for Texas hes still better than the ones we had like Accardo,Jakubauskas,Berken and Gregg.
Posted by: Gary | October 21, 2011 11:25 AM
I would be very happy to see Koji back in an Orioles uni in2012....hope it happens, and also hope he gets a ring!
Posted by: dave taylor | October 22, 2011 1:23 AM
It's too bad Koji didn't make it to the WS. I was really happy for him when he went to a contender. I'd like to him him return next year.
Posted by: Chas in Catonsville | October 22, 2011 7:29 AM
I saw Koji at Game 3. I am in the marines and was holding the flag. Being an O's fan it was cool to see Koji and even Gonzo. I would welcome Koji back. I think we need to see Patton as our lefty specialist. K Rod would be a greaty signing for closer! Add in Beurlhe and CJ (Yeah Right).
Posted by: Steven | October 24, 2011 12:20 AM
Would love to see it,make it happen,he wants to be here and the fans like him,and he definitely has a comfort zone in Baltimore.Didn't think he could handle the heat in Texas,no pun intended.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | October 24, 2011 2:31 AM