MLB Trade Rumors: “Good Chance” Rangers Trade Koji Uehara

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com is reporting that, according to major league sources, there is a “pretty good chance” that the Texas Rangers trade right-handed reliever Koji Uehara.  Sullivan says that the Rangers would likely receive prospects in exchange for Uehara.  The Japanese native was on the brink of being traded earlier this week, but he rejected a deal that would have sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rangers and Blue Jays had a trade worked out that would have had Uehara joining Toronto’s ‘pen, but the right-hander was unwilling to ask his family to relocate from Baltimore to Canada.

There were rumors that Uehara could become available earlier this offseason.  This speculation was a result of Uehara’s postseason collapse that resulted in the veteran being left off the Rangers World Series roster.

If made available, Uehara figured to draw interest due to his impressive 2011 numbers (2.35 ERA, 0.723 WHIP).  Sullivan reported yesterday that Uehara officially became available once the Rangers signed Yu Darvish.

Following the agreement with Darvish, Texas notified former starter Alexi Ogando that he would most likely be pitching out the ‘pen in 2012.  The Rangers have also added free agent closer Joe Nathan this offseason and late-inning arm Mike Adams is returning as well, making Uehara more of a commodity at this point.

Apparently the Rangers like the offers they are receiving, and Uehara could be moved in the near future for prospects.

Several teams will likely be in on Uehara, though he has said that he’d like to return to the Orioles.  Uehara’s contract only allows him to block trades to six teams, so the limited clause shouldn’t prevent the Rangers from dealing him if they are truly set on doing so.

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