Uehara had no interest in playing in Toronto
Posted February 20, 2012 12:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Koji Uehara clearly didn’t have any interest in playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Texas Rangers reliever explained why he blocked a trade to the Blue Jays earlier this winter.
“The weather is an issue, Uehara told Tim Sullivan of MLB.com on Sunday. ” I also know how hard it is to compete in that division.”
The 36-year-old said he didn’t want to go to Toronto and has the ability to block six teams as a clause in his contract.
The Blue Jays signed veteran reliever Francisco Cordero after the trade was blocked.
Uehara, who is scheduled to make $4 million in 2012, remains in limbo and is expected to get dealt before the start of the season.
Despite his comments about the AL East, he is reportedly pushing for a trade to the Baltimore Orioles. Uehara, whose family currently resides in Baltimore, played for the Orioles last season before being traded to Texas on July. 31, 2011.
With Texas, he finished with a 1-2 record with a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings with the Rangers last season.
Uehara also made three appearances in the post-season and gave up three home runs in only 1.1 innings.
