Sox Turn Their Eye Toward Pitching, Sign Reliever Koji Uehara

Boston made a lot of moves over the past 30 days to take care of catching, first base and outfield holes that needed to get filled. Well, OK, the catching one still has a few people scratching their heads and tongues wagging about who stays and who goes. While thing get sorted out behind the dish, it now appears they’re setting their sights on pitching.

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher

(19) finishes his delivery during the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Thursday the Sox and former Texas Rangers reliever Koji Uehara reportedly came to terms on a one-year, $4.25 million contract. Although 37, Uehara had a solid 2012 campaign but did miss almost two months last season with an oblique injury. When he was healthy he pitched well; a 1.75 ERA in 37 relief appearances and a opponent batting average of .160.

Texas had attempted to sign Uehara earlier according to Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels. Daniels said, ‘‘We would have liked to have him back. ‘We made an offer early in the process.’’

Uehara, who has posted a career 2.89 ERA in 157 big league appearances, gives Boston a fourth experienced arm in the bullpen. Uehara signed with the Orioles before the 2009 season, was traded to Texas in 2011 and has pitched in the playoffs for the Rangers in each of the past two seasons.

As the old saying goes, you can never have too much pitching. As the season grinds on and the limbs go dead, an army of arms is needed to compete. Uehara is not a dominant marquee player. He’s a serviceable tool in Boston’s shed. Hey, any job’s easy if you have the right tool.

But my answer yeah to all that use me stuff
Is I want to spread the news that if it feels this good getting used
Oh you just keep on using me until you use me up
Until you use me up
– Use Me, Bill Withers