Uehara would rather retire than accept minor-league deal
Koji Uehara is feeling the sting of the slow-moving free-agent market.
The veteran reliever hopes to pitch at least one more season in the majors but will only head to spring training with a team on a guaranteed contract.
"I'll retire if I'm only offered a minor-league deal," Uehara said, according to the Kyodo News. "There have been some talks, but no offers have been forthcoming. It seems like something's on the horizon and then it isn't. I can be patient for a little longer."
The 42-year-old has spent nine seasons in the majors, with his most recent stint coming on a one-year, $6-million deal with the Chicago Cubs. While he is no longer the dominant pitcher that served as the closer for the 2013 World Series-winning Boston Red Sox, Uehara still put up respectable numbers in 2017, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 43 innings.
"If I get a major-league contract, and I do put up good numbers, then I'll think about another year, but right now I'm focused on just this one year," Uehara said.