Koji Uehara Rumors

Odds And Ends: Astros, Kawakami, Uehara, Giambi, Cabrera

By Coley Ward [November 29, 2008 at 3:39pm CST]

It's a lazy Saturday afternoon, but one gets the feeling there's a major signing or trade lurking right around the corner. In the meantime, here are some odds and ends: Fox Sports' Jeff Moore looks back at the top trades of the past three offseasons. His number one? Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota to Boston for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia. The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice says everyone knows Astros owner Dayton McLane has told GM Ed Wade "to keep the payroll at around $100 million," but "to keep the current team together would... Continue Reading

Japanese Links

By Tim Dierkes [November 28, 2008 at 2:35pm CST]

A few links today related to NPB and Japanese players... East Windup Chronicle looks at 2009 projections for Japanese players coming to MLB, in posts here and here. The Orioles have had "initial discussions" with three Japanese pitchers. There seems a good chance Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami are two of them. The Softbank Hawks signed Kameron Loe and Justin Germano for their rotation. Loe gets about $2MM over two years, while Germano gets about $525K over one. Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (2) | Categories: Baltimore Orioles | Kenshin Kawakami | Koji Uehara

Orioles Rumors: Burnett, Markakis, Japan

By Tim Dierkes [November 25, 2008 at 3:08pm CST]

3:08pm: Roch Kubatko of MASN Online gives thoughts on the Orioles and Mark Teixeira and Burnett. Kubatko believes there's no chance the O's offer five years to Burnett, and even four would be a stretch. He'd have to be willing to take a discount to come to Baltimore. As for Tex, will he be willing to play for a team that may not be competitive in the first few years of his deal? 8:32am: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to A.J. Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker, who said his client has narrowed his list from twelve to about six... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Griffey, Greinke

By Tim Dierkes [November 25, 2008 at 1:05pm CST]

Links for Tuesday... The weekly chat has been moved to Wednesday at 2pm CST this time. I'll be on Seth Stohs' radio show tonight around 8pm CST. From NPB Tracker: Kenshin Kawakami has switched to Dan Evans as his agent, while Koji Uehara wants a rotation spot and multiple years. Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent, Brian Goldberg, has been in contact with nine teams (six AL, three NL). The Mariners were one of the AL teams. It's been over a decade since the White Sox signed a free agent from another team for more than $20MM. Justin Morneau would like the... Continue Reading

Koji Uehara Coming To MLB

By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2008 at 9:12am CST]

Koji Uehara is officially coming to MLB, according to NPB Tracker. The free agent hurler hired SFX to represent him. Based on Japanese reports, Newman says the Mets and Angels are eyeing Uehara as a reliever, while the Orioles like him as a starter. Newman likes him with the Cardinals as a swingman. Uehara, a 33 year-old control pitcher, was profiled here. Continue Reading

Yankees Send Michael To Japan

By Cork Gaines [September 8, 2008 at 9:20am CST]

Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Yankees have sent Gene Michael to Japan to scout potential acquisitions for '09. That Michael was sent to Japan for the first time signifies a shift for the Yankees, who have relied on their Pacific scouts for several years. Following the disastrous signing of Kei Igawa, however, the Yankees aren't taking any chances, sending one of their most trusted talent evaluators to look at potential acquisitions. Feinsand notes that it is unclear which players the Yankees are interested in, but does list several players that could be available including right-handers Koji Uehara, Kenshin Kawakami... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Ibanez, Dunn, Blake, Stewart

By Tim Dierkes [August 12, 2008 at 9:53am CST]

Let's kick off the morning with some random links. Live chat here today at 2pm CST. Brian Matusz is hopeful about striking a deal with the Orioles by Friday's deadline. Roch Kubatko has a source saying it's likely. Baseball America's Jim Callis warns us not to listen to the posturing - he still expects all the first-round draft picks to sign with the possible exception of Allan Dykstra. Should the Mariners offer Raul Ibanez a three-year deal at $10-11MM per? No word yet on possible Rays acquisitions in wake of the Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria injuries. Marc Lancaster wonders... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: McLouth, Doumit, Eyre, Bradley

By Tim Dierkes [August 7, 2008 at 11:01am CST]

Here's today's link roundup. Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus rates the best remaining fits for Barry Bonds. The Angels come out on top. The Mets seem pessimistic about Ryan Church returning this season. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the latest buzz on the unsigned draft picks. The Astros dug up a pitcher in the independent leagues who is said to touch 100 mph. He's a 21 year-old righty named Jack Tilghman. The Pirates plan to offer long-term contracts to Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit. Sean McAdam says the Red Sox still have some interest in Scott Eyre. Dave Cameron can't figure... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Bautista, Uehara, Pavano

By Tim Dierkes [June 24, 2008 at 11:14am CST]

I tried busting out my old Super Nintendo last night, to see if I am still the Mario Kart stud I once was. The console didn't work right though, so I ordered something called the FC Twin. It's a console that came out a few years ago when Nintendo's patent expired; it plays both NES and SNES games. I'm excited! On to the hot stove links. We'll be doing our usual live chat here today at 2pm CST. The A's don't anticipate any problems in signing top draft pick Jemile Weeks. And the D'Backs are nearing a deal with their... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Lowe, Arroyo, Chacon

By Tim Dierkes [June 23, 2008 at 12:30pm CST]

Here's today's link roundup. Jacque Jones has elected free agency. Does he have anything left? Derek Lowe, Scott Boras, Ned Colletti, and Joe Torre had some kind of cryptic meeting. Draft nugget: the D'Backs were eyeing Allan Dykstra as their first-round pick until the Padres took him. Jason Rosenberg interviewed agent Matt Sosnick. Bronson Arroyo commented on the recent trade rumors. I think this rumor, in particular. Shawn Chacon, demoted to the pen, is not a happy camper. Koji Uehara is also going to the bullpen. Brandon Webb was affected by his contract negotiations. ESPN's Keith Law joined the Drunk... Continue Reading

Uehara Aiming For MLB In '09

By Tim Dierkes [April 7, 2008 at 12:54pm CST]

33 year-old Japanese starter Koji Uehara missed free agent eligibility by just eight days; he ultimately re-signed for '08 with the Yomiuri Giants for about $3.6MM. Uehara missed April of '07 with a hamstring injury, and the Giants used him as their closer after he came back. So he's capable of starting or relieving. Yesterday, Uehara announced his intention to head over to MLB for the '09 season. Mike Plugh has a scouting report on him over at Uehara Watch. Plugh suggested to me once that Uehara might be compared to Brad Radke. Japanese starters have been a mixed bag... Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hillenbrand, Tsao, Uehara

By Tim Dierkes [January 1, 2008 at 10:19pm CST]

Here are some random bits and pieces to hold us over until front offices re-open... Shea Hillenbrand has only received one inquiry this winter - from the Giants. He probably won't be earning $6MM again. Hillenbrand posted a .599 OPS in 267 ABs for the Angels and Dodgers this year. I thought perhaps that was one of the worst performances of the decade for guys with 250+ ABs. However it's only the 49th worst since 2000. Homer Bush's 2000 takes the cake - a .524 OPS for the Blue Jays in 297 ABs. The Royals inked Chin-Hui Tsao to a... Continue Reading

Odds and Ends: Hunter, A-Rod, Bedard

By Tim Dierkes [October 28, 2007 at 10:43am CST]

Sunday morning minor rumor collection... There's always some skepticism from readers regarding Charley Walters rumors. Nonetheless I'll report that he names the Nationals, White Sox, Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers as teams that will bid for Torii Hunter. I don't see the Braves getting involved at $15MM per. And are the Dodgers ready to move Juan Pierre to left field already? The other clubs named seem reasonable. As expected, the Cardinals interviewed Chris Antonetti for their open GM position. No doubt it's an attractive position but you have to wonder what kind of autonomy he'd have with Tony La Russa around.... Continue Reading

Koji Uehara Not Eligible For Free Agency

By Tim Dierkes [October 23, 2007 at 10:02am CST]

We've spilled a decent amount of Internet ink on righty pitcher Koji Uehara. He's a control pitcher and longtime starter who was used in relief by the Yomiuri Giants this season (perhaps to spite him). Now comes word that the hamstring injury that knocked him out for the season's first month caused him to fall just short of the service time needed for free agent eligibility. Unless the Giants post him (unlikely), he's off the radar for MLB teams this winter. (Thanks to Mike Plugh of Uehara Watch for the info). Fortunately for MLB fans, Kosuke Fukudome did maintain eligibility.. Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (2) | Categories: Japanese Players In MLB | Koji Uehara

Ted Berg On Japanese Pitchers

By Tim Dierkes [October 18, 2007 at 11:27am CST]

SNY's Ted Berg has an informative blog post about Japanese pitchers who may come over to MLB for the 2008 season (found via MetsBlog). Berg discusses the situations of Koji Uehara, Hiroki Kuroda, Kenshin Kawakami, Hitoki Iwase, Masahide Kobayashi, and Kazumi Saito. So far only Uehara and Kuroda have been discussed here at MLBTR. I'm planning to dig up some info on Iwase, but the other three guys are new to me. Japanese position players to have on the radar include outfielder Kosuke Fukudome and shortstop Tomohiro Nioka Continue Reading

Mike Plugh On Koji Uehara: Part 2

By Tim Dierkes [July 14, 2007 at 6:00am CST]

Have you heard about 32 year-old righthanded starter Koji Uehara? He's a free agent likely to come over from Japan to MLB this winter (no posting fee). I wanted to learn more about him, so I consulted the authority on such matters: Mike Plugh. Mike runs the Uehara Watch blog. He also has Matsuzaka Watch and writes for Baseball Prospectus. You can read Part 1 of our Q&A here; a few additional questions are below. Do you know of any specific teams that are expected to pursue Uehara? I've read that the Angels like him. I think the Angels are.. Continue Reading

Mike Plugh On Koji Uehara: Part 1

By Tim Dierkes [July 12, 2007 at 8:36am CST]

Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome is going to be a big deal this winter. He's the next big thing from Japan, and you can scroll through multiple posts on him here. But there's another name surfacing on the radar: 32 year-old righthanded starter Koji Uehara. He's a free agent likely to come over to MLB this winter (no posting fee). I wanted to learn more about him, so I consulted the authority on such matters: Mike Plugh. Mike runs the Uehara Watch blog. He also has Matsuzaka Watch and writes for Baseball Prospectus. Our Uehara Q&A ran long so I'm breaking.. Continue Reading

Full Story | Comments (7) | Categories: Interviews | Japanese Players In MLB | Koji Uehara