Koji Uehara Rumors

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Orioles, Indians

If you're up reading, we're up writing! MLB.com's Jim Street takes questions about the Mariners. Among other things, he believes the Mariners will find a veteran catcher to at least split time with prospect Adam Moore. Street's Baltimore counterpart, MLB.com's Spencer Fordin, believes the Orioles will move Koji Uehara to short relief and look to acquire another veteran starter. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Paul Hoynes has very positive things to say about Manny Acta, the new Indians' manager. Manny Corpas looks strong in Instructional League play, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, and Corpas will play winter ball as well. A...   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Close To Deal With Cubs For Hill

9:41pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has more on the Orioles trading for Cubs pitcher Rich Hill. The deal would be for a player to be named later, Zrebiec writes, and it could be announced as early as Monday. Hill will be reunited with pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn, who worked with him in the Cubs' organization, Zrebiec notes. Hill is out of options, so he'll have to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster or they could lose him. ... Hill will be given an opportunity to win a spot in the rotation, which currently...   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Putz, Mitsui, Varitek

Links for Friday... Jacob Jackson proposes a new, simpler free agent compensation system. Jon Paul Morosi says the Mariners wanted Fernando Perez from the Rays in the failed talks that would've brought J.J. Putz to Detroit. The Rays were unwilling to do this in part because B.J. Upton will be unavailable to start the season. Koji Mitsui again failed to garner a bid from an MLB team. Aaron Gleeman discusses the Twins' decision not to use certain advanced statistics. Tony Massarotti and Curt Schilling talk about the Jason Varitek situation. Former GM Woody Woodward is back with the Mariners, as...   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Rumors: Dunn, Wigginton, Sexson

3:15pm: Roch Kubatko says the Orioles would only consider Adam Dunn as a DH, and he wants to play the outfield. 1:40pm: The latest from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun (with an assist from Jeff Zrebiec)... The Orioles want a first base candidate who can also play other positions, since they want to use Aubrey Huff at first sometimes. Ty Wigginton remains on the radar, but the Orioles don't want to go beyond one year. The O's have apparently moved on from the Richie Sexson idea. The Orioles signed former Yankees outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league deal....   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Glavine, Millar, Uehara

A few links on a slow Sunday night in the world of baseball... Tom Glavine, a native of Massachusetts, told former New York Times baseball writer Murray Chass that he is "envious" that buddy John Smoltz gets to pitch for the Boston Red Sox this season. Roch Kubatko of MASN Online believes the Orioles are far from signing free agent Kevin Millar, but notes that the two sides have interest in each other. Japanese pitcher and brand new member of the Orioles, Koji Uehara, arrived in the Baltimore area Sunday and plans to take his physical on Monday.   Continue Reading

---

Odds and Ends: Bradley, Roberts, Cruz, Smoltz

Links for Friday... David Chase looks at fantasy baseball's top strikeout pitchers. The third year of Milton Bradley's contract turns into a club option if he has serious health problems this year. Two players expected to attend the Brewers' open tryout this month: Randall Simon and Mark Bellhorn. Dave Cameron looks at the premium teams pay for proven closers. Bobby Valentine comments on the Orioles' Koji Uehara signing in Dan Connolly's article. Within that article Connolly suggests the trade market for Brian Roberts may be suffering because of Orlando Hudson's availability on the free agent market. The D'Backs wouldn't be...   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Rumors: Roberts, Uehara, Zaun, Pudge

10:46pm: Roch Kubatko says Zaun wants a two-year deal but the Orioles prefer one year. The O's are also talking with Ivan Rodriguez. Kubatko adds that Kenshin Kawakami was seeking a three-year deal. In another post, Kubatko says the O's have no interest in Shelley Duncan, but Richie Sexson and Ty Wigginton are possibilities for first base. Peter Schmuck adds Nick Swisher, Ryan Garko, Billy Butler, and Ryan Shealy as trade possibilities. Dan Connolly says the Orioles offered Brian Roberts a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides have not made progress and Roberts doesn't want talks...   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Sign Koji Uehara

7:02pm: The two year deal is for $10MM with incentives. Says Connolly: "His contract could be worth as much as $16 million over two years if the eight-time Japanese all-star meets certain performance bonuses and escalating clauses such as starts made and innings pitched. There is also a games-finished clause included for Uehara, who was an all-star closer in 2007 for the Yomiuri Giants, but the Orioles view him almost exclusively as a starter." 6:24pm: The contract is a two year deal. It is hinging on "specific contractual language" and a physical later this week, reports MLB.com. 2:00pm: According to...   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Continue Talks Kawakami, Uehara

Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com writes that the Baltimore Orioles are still negotiating with Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami despite some reports stating the Orioles already have made their best offer. Kubatko also lists Koji Uehara, 33, of the Yomiuri Giants as someone who interests the Orioles. Baltimore has been in discussion with Uehara's agent, Mark Pieper.   Continue Reading

---

Orioles Make Final Offer To Kawakami?

FRIDAY: The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck heard from sources that there's little substance to the below-referenced Sanspo report. He hasn't heard anything about the Orioles viewing Kawakami as an injury risk. WEDNESDAY: Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a report from Sanspo, a Japanese sports network, reporting that the Orioles have made a final offer to Kenshin Kawakami and are waiting for a response. The Orioles reportedly have concerns about the health of Kawakami's shoulder and are offering an incentive-laden deal, but agent Dan Evans is seeking a higher base salary. The O's are also still pursuing Koji Uehara...   Continue Reading

---

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats

Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST