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« Yankees Outfield Surplus | Main | Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Teixeira »
Orioles In "Serious Contention" For Kawakami
According to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles president Andy MacPhail "appears to be in serious contention to sign Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami." In another post, Schmuck explains why the Orioles would be pursuing a mid-rotation veteran. Dave O'Brien recently wrote that the Braves are "squarely in the bidding," while the Twins are also in on him. The Mets, Cardinals, and Red Sox are other suitors.
What kind of contract does Kawakami want? The best we have is that "some teams fear" he wants to match Hiroki Kuroda's three-year, $35.3MM deal.
Kawakami, 33, posted a 2.30 ERA and 4.48 K/BB ratio in 117.3 innings this year for the Chunichi Dragons. He missed time with a strained back and was part of a six-man rotation. The CHONE projections call for a 4.13 ERA (neutral park/league) for Kawakami in his MLB debut season.
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Go American for that kind of $$$$
Posted by: rockford | December 26, 2008 at 09:24 AM
The Braves and BoSox have more money to spend than the others. The Braves have a greater need for SPing and the BoSox have a corner on the Japanese market. I would have to think the frontrunners for Kawakami are in order:
ATL, BOS, BAL, NYM, STL, MIN
Posted by: bbxxj | December 26, 2008 at 09:27 AM
I can assure you that if 3/35 is the targeted contract, the Twins are definitely NOT in contention.
Posted by: BadEnoughDude | December 26, 2008 at 09:44 AM
I have to agree with you bbxxj. It seems like the Braves and Sox got the upper hand here.
Also, who are the Orioles kidding? They're not going to be contenders this year. They can't compete against the powerhouse Yankees and the Sox. Oh and of course there's the Rays now. They should just keep rebuilding over the next couple years.
Posted by: Umair | December 26, 2008 at 09:46 AM
you would be suprised what the twins would do, especially if they are trading one of their 5 young starters. a veteran presence that is solid in a young solid rotation like that would be stellar. also opening up the twins to tarde a starter and other prospects in a pacakge for one of the peices they desire. They have no chased on Wigginton for a simple reason. Defense, the two guys that they do desire JJ Hardy and Adrian Beltre, have plenty of along with being the veteran right handed bat they desire. If they sign him, and starter plus package would be a great offer for either of these guys.
Posted by: patsfanatic83 | December 26, 2008 at 10:05 AM
At least it is a post that has nothing to do with the Yankees.
Hope the Orioles sign him.
Posted by: Cyyoung | December 26, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Hiroki Kuroda = BIG GAME PITCHER
Posted by: IFiredScottBoras | December 26, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Would think that 3/35m is a reach this season with so many decent to good starters available at this late of a date. I would prefer a brad penny over Kawakami for the Red Sox myself since penny is *probably* cheaper, but still like the idea of adding as many quality asian imports as possible if the price comes down.
Atlanta is better off with this guy that "downtown" Ollie Perez for certain.
Posted by: johns | December 26, 2008 at 11:15 AM
33? I dont know, maybe we should pass on this one..
Posted by: RobbieDBaltimore | December 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM
3/35 is definitely a contract a Twins would do ... but won't because Kawakami might be a lil expensive and might now be worth it.
Posted by: twinsfan | December 26, 2008 at 01:14 PM
I really think the Braves should let this one go.
I say we sign/trade for a guy who already has ML experience in the US.
117 IP is a 5th starter and we dont need another one of those.
If the twins want him let them get him and then trade for one of their young pitchers.
Say Liriano, Baker, or Slowey.
Anyone know the twins' needs?
Posted by: drumzalicious | December 26, 2008 at 03:17 PM
I love how a lot of these Japanese guys can get such huge contracts without every playing Major League Baseball. Been a lot of average to bad ones. Igawa, Irabu, Kaz Matsui and Fukudome to name a few. Even Iwamura who hit 44, 30 and 32 HR his last 3 seasons in Japan has 13 total for his 2 in the US. Kuroda pitched fine. But he was in the NL West and LA. Both better for pitchers. Look at Nomo when he did not pitch for LA.
Posted by: XD23 | December 26, 2008 at 03:37 PM
I think that this guy has the potential to pitch how Kuroda did last year in the majors and Kuroda imprest me. If I were the Braves. I'd make the deal. Boston is done with FA i think and the Mets are going to focus on Lowe. If the Braves were to get this done I'd then make a few other adjustments and my lineup and rotation would look like...
1.J.Anderson
2.Y.Escobar
3.C.Jones
4.N.Swisher
5.B.McCann
6.J.Francoeur
7.K.johnson
8.C.Kotchman
and
1.J.Smoltz
2.J.Vazquez
3.J.Jurrjens
4.K.Kawakami
5.T.Hanson
and call it a winter...
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Boston is the only team that has made him an offer 3yrs 21mil.
Posted by: wisbrave | December 26, 2008 at 10:34 PM
That's a reasonable salary I think.
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Reasonable yes, but it bothers me that Boston is the only that has put out an offer.Braves need to make him an offer quick.
Posted by: wisbrave | December 26, 2008 at 10:49 PM
David O Brian says that the Braves are right in it, so im guessing an offer will come shortly. Im with u on this one though I've been interested in this guy for awhile. His stats last year were very impressing. Don't know how hell do in America but hey life's a gamble...
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I've read that he is better than Hiroki Kuroda.
Posted by: wisbrave | December 26, 2008 at 11:10 PM
He won the equivilant of the Cy Young Award in Japan last year and he also has a collection of gold gloves too so I think hed make a good 2 or 3 starter. I dont think he can be an ace but him Vazquez and Jurrjens his a great mix I think...
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Frank Wren also talked to him and his agent in Vegas and he complimented Japanese player developement so i think he got some brownie points there.
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I also read that he is more consistent and has better control than Vazquez but will have less strikeouts. I've heard him be compared to Maddux.
Posted by: wisbrave | December 26, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Yea I've heard that too. A true finess pitcher. Atlanta could use a guy like that. U know,u know ur stuff wisebrave. That's a rarity on here at times lol
Posted by: BravoMan | December 26, 2008 at 11:50 PM
my problem isnt his stuff, im not doubting that he has some good stuff. its just the fact that he pitched a little over 100 innings last year
we need more than 100 ip
Posted by: drumzalicious | December 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Well his rotation was of 6 but you're right he did miss time due to back strain. But I jst don't like the majority of the american veteran FA out there. Lowe will cost a ton. Sheets may be a bigger health risk than Hampton. Kawakami could provide a good veteran support to the Brave's young rotation.
Posted by: BravoMan | December 27, 2008 at 12:13 AM
well we already have Vasquez as a veteran prescence. Plus Hudson will still be around with the team and just as smoltz and glavine did while they were on the DL they can give advice. Jair already said he goes to Hudson alot for advice.
Plus unless he knows english he cant verbally give advice and since he hasnt really seen the hitters he cant help them with that kind of advice either.
The Braves should just hire Smoltz/Maddux as a Pitching mentor for some of the young guys.
I really would rather them make a trade for a top of the rotation kind of guy. someone young like:
Paul Maholm
Jesse Litsch
Shaun Marcum
Scott Baker
Kevin Slowey
yea none of those guys are Zack Greinke but they all are young with high upsides as #2 possibilities basically another Jair.
I personally like Marcum but thats just me. Maholm would be nice as he would give us a lefty. Give me one of those guys and i dont mind Vazquez being our #1 cause you have some serious talent coming behind him then our rotation looks like this
Vazquez
Marcum/Maholm
Jair
Campillo
#5 Starter
I believe that right there gives us a solid rotation. Campillo is being underated by alot of people. He was tired halfway through the season because he had already pitched in another league then came right to Spring Training then pitched the regular season. so i have no doubt he will be good for another sub 4 era.
After that you have some other young guys who could step in the #5 spot. i personally would leave Hanson at AAA for a little bit just so we dont really rush him to the majors. If he tears up AAA then bring him up.
Towards August we get Hudson and being able to slide him into the #6 slot will be good for him coming out of surgery and it will allow some rest to be taken by the younger guys towards the end of the season. if we go to the play offs great! if not we have a solid young pitching squad around Jair, NEW GUY, and Hanson. After that 2010 possibly brings Locke and Roghbrough
Posted by: drumzalicious | December 27, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Then who would pitch opening day against the Phillies? Vazquez? The possiblity of getting Lowe might not be as hard as you think. I jst think the Braves are going to use their tradeables to aquire an outfielder instead of a pitcher.
Posted by: BravoMan | December 27, 2008 at 04:14 PM
It's not as if Vazquez is the worst pitcher in the league. the guy would prob allow around 3-4 runs. Our offense is capable of getting at least 3-4 runs every game especially if we get a new bat.
plus if Smoltz is ready by Opening Day he could be the #1 if he is completely healthy
Posted by: drumzalicious | December 27, 2008 at 04:54 PM
I didn't mean to put down Valquez in any way. I think hes a great addition to the ballclub and is probably going to pitch around 200 ingings for us this year. But hes not an ace. I want a number 1 to pitch against the Phillies on opening day. And like you said if Smoltz is healthy id be down with that 100%. He is the greatest Braves pither of all time after all. Im jst saying that if the Braves are going to aquire a new pitcher with Smoltz itl be a free agent. Aquireing one good one through trade would mean we'd have to trade one of kelly or escobar and I jst dont see them doing that unless they were to aquire Orlano Hudson or someone like that to fill the spot. We'd jst be better off aquireing a pitcher through free agency and a bat who would cost less through trade.
Posted by: BravoMan | December 27, 2008 at 05:04 PM