O's and Uehara agree to deal

[YaBoyTopher]

Wow, looks like a serious control pitcher. At least in Japan.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/U/koji-uehara.shtml

Yea he is, he makes batters earn everything against him. He also was very solid in the 2006 WBC. I will see if I can find the highlight reel of him.

[waroriole]

This is good to see. One more spot in the rotation filled with the added bonus of breaking into the Asian market for baseball players. It would be nice if we also signed Kawakami and make it easier for these guys to transition into MLB.

[PaulBako]

Someone who throws strikes!

[trueoriolesfan]

Now if AM can spin a Floyd trade - Guthrie, Floyd, Uehara, Kawakami, ? might get us through September respectably.

Nice rotation and so many good talented arms to fill that last spot (Olson, Liz, Patton and Albers)

[Moose Milligan]

Someone that throws strikes, indeed.

Unbelievable.

[SilentJames]

Meh. I think he's going to be more of a Hideki Irabu more than Dice-K. He does look like an innings eater, though and can throw strikes. Between Hendrickson and Uehara though, our rotation could be setting itself up for some old-man related injuries.

This is precisely the type of guy we need. Low walks and eats innings.

This is a good deal and a good signing.

Good job AM.

[YaBoyTopher]

I sure hope Kawakami is next, I think he will be slightly better then Uehara. This is a big day in Oriole history hopefully this opens the door for us to sign some of the bigger name Japanese players in the future.

[clapdiddy]

Sounds like he falls into MacPahail's edict of acquiring pitchers that can actually get hitters out!

I like this...now let's get Kawakami as well!

[SilentJames]

Someone that throws strikes, indeed.

Unbelievable.

Read AMac's quote in my sig. That was him in reference to the Japanese pitchers.

[jcroemer]

The mood seems to be changing around here.

I see this is a sign of progress for the Orioles and their fans. We've attracted a Japanese pitcher, we are close to signing another, all of which should open future doors to better talent. Tangible proof that the recent investments the Orioles have made in international scouting are not for naught. It sends a message to Major League Baseball that the Orioles are branching out and searching for an edge.

This ties in with information BigBird posted regarding the signing of a pitcher this week. That's a nice check mark on a source whose credibility was in question this week.

[o'sfan2009]

The signing was also just reported on MLB Trade Rumors.

So, with this, and if we sign Kawakami, is the Japanese catcher next? (I forget his name..)

[BRob51]

SCOOOOOOOOOOPS

Uehara-san, gambaru!!!!!!!

[byrdz]

The O's don't run the risk of losing draft picks with players from Japan, another bonus.

[hoosiers]

Not overly enthused about a 34 year old pitcher, but this guy sounds decent and probably somewhat cheap. Nice to see we have broken the ice with a legit Japanese player.

This one is on the FO. We'll see if he is effective and if he is able to fill one of the many holes on our OD roster in 09 and 10.

[BRob51]

This was also just reported on MLB Trade Rumors.

So' date=' with this, and if we sign Kawakami, is the Japanese catcher next? (I forget his name..)[/quote']

Ryoji Aikawa, baby!