MLB Hot Stove: Cubs reportedly close to signing pitcher Koji Uehara
Uehara would presumably slide into a relief role with the defending World Series champs
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
The Cubs are still not done adding to their bullpen even after acquiring Wade Davis from the Royals.
According to a report by Nikkan Sports, and corroborated by Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald, the Cubbies are close to signing veteran right-hander Koji Uehara. The deal is not final and is said to be worth $4.5 million for one year.
Uehara, 42 in April, has spent the last four seasons with the Red Sox, and was their closer during their 2013 World Series season. In 2016, Uehara had a 3.45 ERA in 47 innings. He struck out 63 and walked 11, his most since walking 12 back in 2009.
At the moment, Chicago's bullpen looks something like this:
Closer: Wade Davis
Righties: Carl Edwards Jr., Justin Grimm, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop
Lefties: Brian Duensing
Others up for a spot include lefties Rob Zastryzny and Caleb Smith (a Rule 5 Draft pick), and righty Felix Pena. Lefty Mike Montgomery, who spent much of his time with the Cubs working out of the bullpen this past season, is expected to move into the rotation to replace the departed Jason Hammel.
Assuming the deal gets completed, the Cubs wouldn't have to rely on Uehara in high-leverage innings. Davis, Edwards, Rondon, and Strop figure to handle those again. That's for the best. Uehara isn't as dominant as he once was at this point of his career and can be very home run prone at times.
There is no such thing as too much bullpen depth, of course, and adding a veteran late-inning reliever like Uehara will make the Cubs bullpen that much more formidable. He could be a real weapon in middle relief.
