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Braves Sign Japanese Starter
Written by Colin on January 10, 2009 – 7:04 pmThe Braves finally signed a big name starting pitcher. He’s 112-72 with a 3.22 ERA and 1,328 strikeouts in 11 seasons. He’s one of the two biggest free agents this offseason… in Japan.
Kenshin Kawakami also won the Japanese version of the Cy Young award and is 33 years old. He’s expected to fly to Atlanta for a physical Monday. The Braves are expected to confirm the contract either Monday or Tuesday. Kawakami has an average fastball, a good cutter and a slow curve. He only pitcher 117 1/3rd innings, though, which seems low.
We’ve been at this point before, so with the way the offseason is going, I’d not get your hopes up. As long as we’re hoping just a little bit, hope that we can sign Derek Lowe as well. Lowe, Kawakami, Jurrjens, Vazquez, and Campillo/Hanson/Morton would make a decent starting rotation.
What are your thoughts? Do you like the move? Does it make up a little bit for not having Smoltzie around?
Tags: Braves Sign Kawakami, Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami
Posted in Roster Moves | 3 Comments »
By Grant on Jan 11, 2009 | Reply
Putting aside my personal feelings for John Smoltz and all he did here, this move makes more sense than signing a soon to be 42-year old pitcher who may not be ready until June 1. That's just on the surface though, because I can't simply forget it was Smoltz and what he has meant to the club over the years and what he could mean in the post-season (if it happened) should be be healthy. Forgive me for any Braves blasphemy there, it was purely unintentional.
Anyway, Kawakami pitched in a 6-man rotation in Japan, leading to the low innings total, and he dealt with a back strain that sapped his September. I think he will make a solid #4 starter and should be comparable to Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers at a much better price than LA paid for him (3 yrs $35 million last winter). Overall, solid addition, but Derek Lowe would put me more at ease.
By Cameron on Jan 11, 2009 | Reply
good move, as long as we dont get furcaled again
Now D Lowe may see that we plan on contending, and add to that, Ken Rosenthal said the Mets are "pessimistic" about getting Lowe AND that there's been a report saying that the Mets prefer Perez (though I do find that hard to believe)
this offseason may not be a wash just yet
By Josh on Jan 12, 2009 | Reply
So im thinking if we can sign Lowe then we should give the Padres a call next. There is no harm in revisiting Pevey trade.