Boston Red Sox trade rumors: Koji Uehara not on the market
By Hayden Kane
Remove the good-time feelings from their run to a World Series championship in 2013, and it objectively makes a lot of sense for the Boston Red Sox to consider trading closer Koji Uehara.
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The veteran reliever is 39 going on 40. He is eligible for free agency at the end of the season. Yes, Uehara has been tremendously effective as Boston’s closer again in 2014, reaching the All-Star game this past week. But closers are fickle, with success coming and going without much explanation of why. Even with a devastating split-finger pitch, it is not hard to envision regression for Uehara.
It is a reasonable argument, then, that the Red Sox would be wise to deal Uehara now while his value is high in anticipation of possible regression. Teams are inquiring on Uehara’s availability, with the Los Angeles Dodgers among those rumored to be interested. Those teams are going to be turned away, however, as reported by Nick Cafardo.
Koji Uehara in great demand but Red Sox would like to hold on to him
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 20, 2014
In 44 appearances this season, Uehara has a 1.58 ERA to go along with 20 saves and a strikeout rate of 11.6 K/9. Those are unquestionably great numbers, and if the Red Sox are correct that they are justified to keep Uehara, then they will have the closer’s role covered for the next couple seasons.
The relative value of a 40-year-old reliever as compared to a prospect or two, however, has to at least be considered. The Red Sox are always tasked with balancing the short term with a long view of things. To focus on the short term with Uehara may or may not be the right call if that is indeed the route the Red Sox choose to follow.