Koji Uehara, Red Sox agree to new two-year contract worth $18 million

The luster wore off Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara a bit in 2014, but the team still likes Uehara enough to extend him for two more seasons. The team announced Thursday a new two-year contract for Uehara, who will bypass free agency and make $18M over the next two seasons.

Uehara was lights-out in 2013, saving 21 games with a minuscule 1.09 ERA. He also saved seven games in the postseason and allowed just one run as the Red Sox won the World Series. This season wasn’t as kind. Uehara had 26 saves and a 2.52 ERA — which isn’t bad, just not as great as 2013.

Koji: “Good morning everybody! You might have heard through media, I signed with Red Sox for 2 years. I am looking forward to seeing you!”