Phillies ‘Asking Around’ About Reliever Koji Uehara

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Phillies are "asking around" about free agent reliever Koji Uehara.

Uehara, who turns 38 in April, posted a 1.75 ERA and 43/3 K/BB ratio over 36 innings this season with the Rangers many think he will get a two-year contract.  Uehara served as the Rangers' primary reliever in the eighth inning late in the season when Mike Adams was injured.

The Phillies could definitely use some help in the eighth inning role that was shared by just about every pitcher in the bullpen last season.  The Phillies had hoped that Antonio Bastardo would fill that role but he struggled most of the season.  They brought in Chad Qualls last season to try to work late in games, but he failed miserably.

Injures to Mike Stutes and Jose Contreras also contributed to the problems late in games, but there should be a lot of competition in the Phillies bullpen and bringing in a veteran like Uehara can't hurt, the more competition the better.