Red Sox Poll: Who should fill in for Koji as the closer?
By Drew Peabody
Red Sox manager John Farrell expressed doubt yesterday that Red Sox closer Koji Uehara would be ready for the Red Sox season opener on April 6 in Philadelphia:
"“I think it’s important to see him in games, to evaluate the stuff,” Farrell said. “For Koji himself to understand what he has in the moment and what he goes to the mound with from a physical standpoint.”"
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WEEI.com’s article on the topic offered Edward Mujica and Alexi Ogando as potential replacements for Koji. The issue for Koji is not only a hamstring concern but his experimentation with a cutter, which would indicate an erosion of his confidence in his current repertoire. It is a combination of Uehara’s ineffectiveness (hit hard in two of three Spring appearances) and his physical limitations that require a back up plan if Uehara can’t recapture his 2013 magic.
Mujica notched 37 saves for the 2013 St. Louis Cardinals until late season injury problems led to ineffectiveness.
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Last season, Mujica stepped in to earn eight saves after Uehara’s late-season implosion. Ogando has four career saves, but has never been a full-time closer. Another option might be
who was briefly considered for the role in 2013 before Uehara stepped in to make it his. Tazawa has just one career save.
What do you think the Red Sox should do?
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