MLB Trade Rumors: Rangers, Blue Jays Discussing Koji Uehara

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Texas Rangers are discussing late-inning reliever Koji Uehara with several clubs including the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Rangers had been talking Uehara earlier this offseason and the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles each showed interest at the time.

Uehara was outstanding during the 2011 regular season.  Koji started the year in Baltimore where he maintained a 1.72 ERA over his 43 games and 47 innings pitched.  The Orioles then dealt Uehara to the Rangers at the deadline for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis.

Koji’s numbers in Texas were not quite as solid, but the right-hander did finish the regular season with a combined ERA of 2.35 to go with his miniscule 0.723 WHIP.  Uehara also posted impressive peripherals (11.8 SO/9 and 1.2 BB/9) and finished the year with a ridiculous SO/BB ratio of 9.44.

These numbers allowed Koji’s 2012 option of $4 million to vest.  However, Uehara struggled in the postseason and was eventually left off the Rangers World Series roster.  This lead to speculation that Texas would look to deal Uehara over the winter.

The Blue Jays have already added a handful of relievers this offseason, including Sergio Santos who figures to be their closer in 2012, but Uehara’s past numbers and experience closing games reportedly appeal to Toronto.

For his part, Uehara has said that he’d prefer to return to Baltimore, the team that signed him as an international free agent before the 2009 season.  The Orioles are reportedly interested in free agent closer Francisco Cordero, but if that falls through the Birds could turn their attention to the Rangers and Uehara.

For more on the Rangers and Blue Jays, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’ and Jays Journal.