Red Sox Nation 10/12: The End of the Road for Koji Uehara?

Now that the season is over, the Boston Red Sox face many questions entering the offseason. One of those questions will involve Koji Uehara.

Reliever Koji Uehara may have thrown his last pitch as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Entering the offseason, team will have to decide whether they want to bring the 41-year-old pitcher back for another season.

Uehara, who was monumental during the team’s 2013 World Series championship season, was effective this past season as a set up man. He wasn’t as dominant as he was in 2013 as a closer, but he was still an integrate part of the bullpen.

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Of course, at his age, he could decide to retire, but whether the team brings him back or not will be an interesting decision for president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

"“Koji’s done an unbelievable job for this organization throughout the time period,” Dombrowski said via WEEI. “And age factor, you always worry when a guy gets older. It’s just, it’s the aging process. … So Koji’s a very special guy when it comes to the aging process, what he does. It’s been amazing when he’s on the mound. I don’t know how you really interpret a guy going forward at that. I don’t have any special formula. But I will also tell you Koji’s a hard guy to evaluate when he’s younger and healthy. Because he’s a very abnormal type pitcher. I mean how many guys that are throwing 88 mph blow the ball by you on a consistent basis? So he’s a tough evaluation no matter what.”"

At the age of 41, Uehara posted a 3.45 ERA. He did miss a period of time in late July and August nursing a strained pectoral muscle so durability is also an issue. Red Sox manager John Farrell praised Koji’s effectiveness and still believes he has some baseball in him. But the question is…will it be in Boston?

Yoan Moncada shines: Red Sox prospect Yoan Moncada is already making a name for himself in the Arizona Fall League.

In an 11-2 victory on Tuesday afternoon, the top-ranked prospect went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a double. The production is good to see, especially since Moncada struggled during his time with the Red Sox. Following his Fall League debut, Moncada said he has not changed his approach to the game despite those struggles.

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"“I’ve been doing the same stuff as I was in the big leagues, just trying to stick to the same routine and not change everything, and it paid off today,” Moncada said."

Moncada figures to be a part of the Red Sox young core next season.

The Panda: A big story in the offseason will be the progress of Pablo Sandoval. After undergoing left shoulder surgery in May, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski labeled the third baseman as a “role model” for the players down in Fort Myers, [Fla], where he has been rehabbing.

Dombrowski also sited that Sandoval is in better shape and the team plans for him to be an important part of the club in 2017. After signing a five-year, $95 million deal with the Red Sox, Dombrowski certainly hopes he will end up being worth some of that contract.

Next: Red Sox Offense Failed Farrell And Price Vows To Win Over Fans

So far, between health and a lack of production, he has been a total bust.

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