The Boston Red Sox signed closer Koji Uehara to a two-year deal late Thursday afternoon, the team announced. The deal is said to be worth $18 million. Uehara is entering his third season with the ball club and will be 40 when the 2015 season opens.
Originally signed in 2013 from the Texas Rangers to work as a setup man, Uehara was forced into the closer’s role due to injuries to Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey. It worked out for the best for the Sox, however, as Uehara went on to post a career-best 1.09 earned run average along with a 4-1 record and 21 saves. In the post season, Uehara saved seven games and allowed one earned run in 13 2/3 innings. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 2013 American League Championship Series after saving three games and winning one against the Detroit Tigers.
Last season, Koji Uehara compiled 26 more saves and a 6-5 record. His ERA rose from its otherworldly levels of the previous season, but was still stellar at 2.52. He was also named as a member of the American League All-Star team. However, Uehara seemed to tire down the stretch after throwing more pitches than any other season in his career, other than 2009. In August, Uehara went through a stretch of 11 1/3 innings during which his ERA was an ugly 5.56. His season ERA went up by almost a run per inning over that short stretch. It was not long after that Uehara was shut down for the remainder of the season.
Despite that rough stretch, Uehara should be ready to go for next season. With the offseason to rest and rebuild his strength, Uehara will enter spring training firmly entrenched as the team’s closer and, unless he struggles mightily, will remain in that capacity when Opening Day arrives. His 1.75 ERA and 0.73 WHIP since joining the team have earned him at least that much. This is the first move of what promises to be a busy offseason for the retooling Red Sox. After going from worst to first to worst in the span of three seasons, the Sox will be looking not only to be competitive once again in 2015, but to stabilize the organization and remain in contention for the World Series beyond next season. Stay tuned.
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