The Orioles will unveil their first Japanese import, right-handed pitcher Koji Uehara, at a news conference today at Camden Yards that is expected to be one of the most well attended in team history.
Uehara, who passed his physical and finalized a two-year, $10 million, incentive-laden deal with the Orioles, has been followed closely by the Japanese media since landing in the United States on Sunday. There were 25 reporters who awaited his arrival at Washington Dulles International Airport and a handful of television crews that waited outside Camden Yards on Monday while the 33-year-old was taking his physical elsewhere.
The Orioles have gotten such a significant response for today's noon news conference that they moved it to a bigger room on another floor in the warehouse to accommodate the media.
"We all are a little surprised, pleasantly surprised, that the response has been so strong from media attention," said Greg Bader, the Orioles' director of communications. "We'll have to wait and see how this plays out, but certainly, it's apparently a much larger deal, probably because he played for the Yomiuri Giants, but also for the successes that he has had in Japan. It's been a little bit of a learning experience, but it's definitely an exciting time."
Uehara, who was an eight-time All-Star in Japan and twice named the country's best pitcher, played his entire career with the Giants, Japan's version of the New York Yankees. He was 6-5 with one save and a 3.81 ERA in 26 games for the Giants last year and 112-62 with a 3.01 ERA for them in his career. He has struck out 1,376 batters and walked just 206.
At this point of the offseason, Uehara, whose name is pronounced oo-eh-ara, is penciled in as the Orioles' No. 2 starter, behind right-hander Jeremy Guthrie. However, Orioles president Andy MacPhail is still hoping to add a starter before pitchers and catchers report next month.
"You look at his resume and he is a very accomplished pitcher and has impeccable control," MacPhail said of Uehara.
Zaun next?
MacPhail said he is optimistic the club is getting closer to signing a catcher who will start on Opening Day before eventually giving way to top prospect Matt Wieters.
He wouldn't offer specifics, but team sources have said that the Orioles are closing in on a one-year deal with free agent Gregg Zaun, who played with the club during the 1995 and 1996 seasons and is the nephew of former Oriole player and coach and MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey.
