MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles Maintain Interest in Rangers Uehara

Last week the Texas Rangers and Koji Uehara made two things clear.  The Rangers confirmed that they are looking to trade their late-inning reliever, and Uehara made it known that he wouldn’t accept a trade to just any team.  Texas had a deal in place with the Toronto Blue Jays which Uehara axed using his limited no-trade clause.  It was reported yesterday that the Rangers will eventually deal Uehara, the question now becomes where the right-hander will land.  If it were up to Uehara he’d head back to his original team, and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have maintained interest in Koji.

Last summer the Orioles dealt Uehara to the Rangers for slugger Chris Davis and starting pitcher Tommy Hunter.  After news of the trade broke, Uehara was in tears as he didn’t want to leave Charm City.  The Japanese native loved the area and his family was firmly entrenched in Baltimore.  In fact, even after Uehara himself joined the Rangers, his wife and children remained in Baltimore.

Uehara dropped off a bit once he was with the Rangers, and the right-hander was ultimately left off of Texas’s World Series roster.  With the Rangers having added a few pieces this winter, Uehara is now considered expendable and likely to be traded.

The 36-year-old has made it clear that he’d like to return to Baltimore, and the Orioles have expressed interest in adding a late-inning reliever this offseason.  Connolly reported yesterday that the O’s have “had sporadic conversations with the Rangers” about bringing Uehara back, but that the sides have been unable to match up for a trade.

Connolly believes that Uehara will ultimately land elsewhere, but that there is a chance the veteran gets his wish and returns to the Birds.

For more on the Rangers and Orioles, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’ and Birds Watcher.