One move I want to see almost immediately after this season ends, is the announcement that Uehara will be inserted as the 2010 closer.
I know that a basic tenant of Andy MacPhail’s overall philosophy is that you do not make moves until you absolutely have to, but I think it would serve the organization well to announce this.
Uehara did not enjoy pitching out of the bullpen in Japan, which is why the offer of starting lured him to Baltimore over other MLB teams.
In 2009, Uehara pitched 66.2 innings, allowing 71 hits, 7 homers, 12 walks, with 48 k’s. He held hitters to a .742 OPS against.
Uehara turns 35 next April. He has a limited shelf-life left overall, and is only signed through 2010 with the Birds. Obviously his future is not in the O’s rotation.
For awhile I have been lukewarm about inserting Uehara as the 2010 closer, because I do not know if he will be back in 2011. Meaning, even if Uehara is successful as the 2010 closer, is it worth-it, if he leaves after next-year?
I now think the O’s have to worry about that after 2010, and concentrate on improving.
As Johnson, Ray, and Albers implode down the stretch, the O’s have to be thinking of augmenting the 2010 bullpen with Uehara, Mickolio, Hernandez, and Berken.
In Japan, Uehara spent 2007, and 2008 pitching out of the bullpen.
2008: 89.2 IP, 90 hits, 72 k’s, 16 walks
2007: 62 IP, 47 hits, 66 k’s, 4 walks, 32 saves
So he has had success in the closer-role before, and you know his control will be good. Right now, that is good enough for me.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.