Red Sox Re-Sign Uehara Through 2016 Season

The Boston Red Sox didn’t waste time in achieving one of their biggest offseason goals, re-signing closer Koji Uehara to a two-year extension.

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To put it mildly (and as clean as possible), 2014 stunk for the Boston Red Sox, yet the franchise made their first move toward rebounding from the 71-91 debacle on Thursday, re-signing closer Koji Uehara to a two-year extension. The deal will net Uehara $18 million through the 2016 season.

Uehara saved 26 games in 31 opportunities last season, finishing with a 6-5 record with a 2.52 ERA. The 39-year-old fanned 80 in 64.1 innings of work.

A member of the Red Sox since 2013, Uehara took the closer’s role midway during the season and saved 21 of his 24 opportunities while striking out 101 batters in 74.1 frames. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series and saved two games as Boston captured its third World Series title in 10 years.

Signing Uehara is the first move of what could be a very aggressive offseason for the Red Sox. The team finished 11th in the American League in runs scored and has focused its attention on San Francisco Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval and New York Yankees 3B Chase Headley. The club is also interested in Milwaukee Brewers 3B (seeing a trend here?) Aramis Ramirez.

Boston is also interested in bringing back pitcher Jon Lester, who will become a free agent. Lester was traded to the Oakland A’s in July in exchange for OF Yoenis Cespedes and will be one of the most attractive players once the market opens next month.