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« Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday | Main | Padres Sign Prior, Burke »
Braves Sign Kenshin Kawakami
4:27pm: O'Brien says now it's about $23MM over three years.
2:02pm: David O'Brien says Kawakami gets three years, $25MM.
8:38am: A news conference is scheduled for today, so it's safe to assume pitcher Kenshin Kawakami passed his physical and is a Brave. We'll add the terms of the three-year deal once they become available. The Japanese paper Sponichi believes it's worth $24MM, though it was written in uncertain terms according to Patrick Newman.
If the Braves are able to sign Derek Lowe, they'll have a rotation of Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Kawakami, Jair Jurrjens, and Jorge Campillo (with Tommy Hanson knocking on the door and Tim Hudson in the second half).
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Thet really need Lowe... With Hudson out, there really is no ace in that rotation.
Posted by: tomfromsd | January 13, 2009 at 08:41 AM
that could be a very solid rotation.
Posted by: clemsontribe24 | January 13, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Lowe's not exactly an ace, either. But, aside from Jake Peavy, he's the Braves' best option available to fit that "top" starter position.
Posted by: Stephen Peele | January 13, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Well, that would definitely make them more competitive... But still, without another power hitter in their lineup, they are more like pretenders than contenders, although I'm pretty sure everyone expected that entering next season.
Posted by: Ink&Paper | January 13, 2009 at 08:44 AM
No Ace yet, but very solid and no huge holes.
Posted by: GwinnettBravesFan | January 13, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Kawakami's stuff is awesome, slow-dropping curve, great movement on his fastball, and a wicked cutter. Can't wait to see him in a Braves uniform.
Posted by: BravoMan | January 13, 2009 at 08:45 AM
"Well, that would definitely make them more competitive... But still, without another power hitter in their lineup, they are more like pretenders than contenders, although I'm pretty sure everyone expected that entering next season"
Offseason aint over yet friendo, they plan on acquiring a power hitting OF too. There's plenty left in the market. Why don't you worry bout your own team.
Posted by: BravoMan | January 13, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Braves are wasting $60 million by signing Lowe. It's not like they will contend with him, so they should stay young and try to rebuild, and may as well not spend $60M on a 35 year old pitcher
Posted by: metzfan22 | January 13, 2009 at 08:51 AM
They would be better off signing Perez, since he's younger, and could be just entering his prime now.
Posted by: metzfan22 | January 13, 2009 at 08:51 AM
As nice as the rotation will look next season, I think it's pretty clear they're going for 2010.
In 2010 they'll have a stacked rotation of Hudson, Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez and Hanson, with Kawakami, Campillo, Reyes and Morton all on the outside as other potential options.
With a young offensive core of McCann, Kotchman, Escobar, Johnson, Francoeur and of course Chipper Jones (obviously he's not young), as well as Heyward, Freeman, Schafer, Gorkys, Hicks and Campbell, the offense should be quite good as well.
This team is in GREAT shape.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 13, 2009 at 08:57 AM
sure the nl east is very competitive but you cant write off the braves yet. if they do get a power bat they could contend. and i also delgado may not perform like he did in the second half and howard has many weaknesses that needed to be addressed this offseason. so those are two big bats and both the phils and mets have some question marks in the rotation. im gonna say the braves have an outside chance, baring they sign lowe and a solid power bat.
Posted by: clemsontribe24 | January 13, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Sounds like the braves are gonna miss out on getting that #1 starter. But is it so bad to have 3 #2's?
Posted by: lueds20 | January 13, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Scribbletone -
Isnt Hudson a free agent after this season?
Posted by: lueds20 | January 13, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Hudson has an option for 2010. I think it's a mutual option, so if he's healthy it's a no brainer - only $12 million, maybe?
And, no - I have no problem with, say, 2 #2s 2 #3s and a #4.
Posted by: daslied | January 13, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Scribble...that depends on the Braves resigning Chipper, of course.
Posted by: Smoltz's Beard | January 13, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Scribbletone, If the Braves sign Lowe I don't think that they will pick up Hudson's option next year. I think the writing is on the wall for that.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 13, 2009 at 09:12 AM
scribbletone
In 2010 they'll have a stacked rotation of Hudson, Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez and Hanson, with Kawakami, Campillo, Reyes and Morton all on the outside as other potential options
First they will have option decide on Hudson's option to bring him back or not. Though if they deem that he is completely healthy than I can see Vasquez on the block to fill holes in '10. This will clear a way for Hanson. But we must see how KK, Vasquez, and Hanson develope in 09' first. I can also see JoJo/Morton be trade here this season for LF Bat. But we will see.
Posted by: BravoFan3736 | January 13, 2009 at 09:14 AM
If Hudson walks than we get nothing and Vasquez should have more value to other teams to get some talent in return.
Posted by: BravoFan3736 | January 13, 2009 at 09:16 AM
2010 rotation:
Lowe
Jurrjens
Vazquez
Kawakami
Hanson
I really like Charlie Morton a lot but I am afraid that he is going to be traded. And that is a major mistake.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 13, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Bravesalltheway-
You're probably right about Hudson's 2010 option, that it won't be exercised.
Maybe if he comes back and pitches great for two months, but otherwise youre probably right.
As for Chipper, I think they have to resign him. He's the face of the franchise, a great all around player, and he's shown a willingness to take less money to help the Braves.
They have no replacements for Chipper short term (or long term, really) so I think he comes back.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 13, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Bringing back Hudson and trading Vazquez could be another good option though.
The free agent market is quite bare, with Harden, Myers, Lackey and Bedard making up pretty much the quality starting market.
If the Braves wanted to deal Vazquez next winter, after a solid 2009 performance, they could likely get a nice piece or two for him.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 13, 2009 at 09:26 AM
I think Chipper stays in atl too. He's always expressed his loyalty to Cox and the Braves and they in him. So if the braves don't want him next year I expect him to retire.
Posted by: clemsontribe24 | January 13, 2009 at 09:27 AM
BRAVESALLTHEWAY I agree that if we sign Lowe, then Huddy could very well be gone in '10. There are some big name SP's hitting the free agent market next year and depending on Huddy's rehab & performance this year, it might make more sense to decline his option and go after an ace (Lackey) or a second tier SP like Duchscherer or Harden...or save it for Holliday.
It still too early to tell, I mean, we haven't signed Lowe yet, we don't know how Hudson will fare when he comes back....
BUTT! we can speculate :)
Posted by: kidlax17 | January 13, 2009 at 09:27 AM
The Press Conference to introduce Kawakami is scheduled around 3:30 today. Looks like we're going to sign lowe too. That's great news for the braves.
Posted by: justABravesfan719 | January 13, 2009 at 09:35 AM
clemson...there's no way that Chipper will simply retire if the Braves don't choose to extend him a new contract. We're talking about a guy who put up the #1 and #3 best OPS+ for his career in the last two years...it doesn't make sense that he would just hang up his spikes when he would be perfectly suited to be a DH.
What I'm afraid of is that it's obvious Chipper is upset with how the Braves handled the Smoltz debacle, and it appears Wren is not one for nostalgia. I'm not 100% convinced that he'll be back next season, but I hope I'm wrong.
Posted by: Smoltz's Beard | January 13, 2009 at 09:36 AM
i dont think chipper should retire but hes openly said in recent years that he could never play under anyone other than cox. maybe he is overexagerating but i wouldnt be surprised, after all he is 36(or so)
Posted by: clemsontribe24 | January 13, 2009 at 09:38 AM
clemson...I know that Chipper said that in the past, but that might not be the case any longer.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/01/08/john_smoltz_chipper_jones.html
If Chipper is upset with how the franchise is being run you think he's going to stick around simply because of Cox? I don't.
Posted by: Smoltz's Beard | January 13, 2009 at 09:41 AM
BravoMan -
I'm not the only one who thinks that they won't be contending in 2009. I'm just echoing what others are thinking as well. I respect the Braves organization, with the way they run things, find hidden gems, etc. Heck, I was all for them acquiring Peavy too, since, in a way, they have "fallen from grace" (14-straight division titles snapped, drop from contention, etc), not to mention the loss of Smoltz (although he did want to win, so you can't fault him for that), well, just hope that Chipper isn't lost, either.
Posted by: Ink&Paper | January 13, 2009 at 09:44 AM
"What I'm afraid of is that it's obvious Chipper is upset with how the Braves handled the Smoltz debacle, and it appears Wren is not one for nostalgia. I'm not 100% convinced that he'll be back next season, but I hope I'm wrong."
That's a good observation, that Wren doesn't appear to be one to bring guys back for nostalgic reasons.
But with Chipper, I think he comes back for baseball reasons as well.
In the past he's shown a willingness to take less salary in order to help/stay with the team, and I don't see why that would change now unless the Smoltz situation is really that big of a deal to him.
And I agree that if Chipper doesn't go back to Atlanta, somehow, then he'll go somewhere else.
When you're as good as Chipper still is, then you go out and keep playing and get paid.
The Braves still need his patient, consistent bat in the middle of their lineup, because I think it's a big risk to depend on guys like Casey Kotchman, Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson to be major pieces of a quality lineup.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 13, 2009 at 10:02 AM
I like the lowe signing, but I don't like this one. A team like the yanks, dodgers, mets, cubs, or sox can afford for him to be a bust. He's a huge gamble for the braves though.
Posted by: SkiBolton | January 13, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I really think that if they can add nady/swisher to this team, you're looking at being there in the wild card race at worst in the last week of the season. Lowe is getting a lot of disrespect, just look at his tra, tra+, and WAR. also he throws less pitches than you would expect for the innings he throws which makes age much less of an issue. Vazquez also has borederline ace tra numbers, not saying he is but I wouldn't be surprised if he returned to Expos form after getting out of Chicago
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 02:16 PM
SkiBolton, i agree somewhat but if you continually allow these teams to dominate japanese talent then you put yourself at a competitive disadvantage. opens up the possibility of future japanese stars joining atlanta
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Great Youtube video on Kawakami. His breaking ball looks intimidating. Similar movement from the right side as a retro Bary Zito. Fastball appears to be around the 87-91mph range.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU1wMH6lXHQ
Posted by: treilly | January 13, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Even suggesting vazquez is an ace is silly, he's had several stops since montreal to prove it and hasn't. He is what he is, a number 3 pitcher who occasionally dazzles you with unfulfilled potential. In other words, it's like calling ollie an ace.
Posted by: SkiBolton | January 13, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I agree bravesfan, i just don't think the kawakami's of the world are the way to go. I think they would have been better off with the kid the sox signed.
Posted by: SkiBolton | January 13, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Not suggesting either FA pitcher was a bad signing, but I really wish they wouldn't have blocked Tommy Hanson from the rotation. Who knows how it shakes out by opening day, but I think he's got very special talent and is big league ready today.
Posted by: billy | January 13, 2009 at 02:21 PM
"Not suggesting either FA pitcher was a bad signing, but I really wish they wouldn't have blocked Tommy Hanson from the rotation."
How is Hanson blocked.
Lowe-Vazquez-Jurrjens-Kawakami-Campillo is the opening day rotation right now.
Hanson isn't blocked, if he's ready. Which, I don't think he is.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 13, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I said his tra suggests he is a borderline ace, more likely a very good 2. I think thats what he very well could be next year. Just think about his stops since montreal. the yankees-couldn't handle the NY pressure but atlanta sports is nothing like that. arizona-hard to explain his struggle there, just pitched poorly
chicago-pitched in a home run hitter's park and that did not help at all
Im not saying he'll capitalize on his tra numbers Im just saying I think he could be a lot better than some people care to think
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 02:33 PM
SkiBolton,
Vasquez > Oliver Perez
Posted by: jrfukudome | January 13, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Kawakami is far more of a sure thing than Tawaza. He wont even pitch in the majors next year so he wouldn't have helped in 09. and over the next three years id venture to say that Kawakami barring an Igawa like collapse posts better numbers
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Anyone worried now about whether the Braves will pick up Hudson's 2010 option has way too much time on his hands.
Posted by: ink-stained scribe | January 13, 2009 at 02:40 PM
melonis,
Tim just pointed out in his chat that the Braves can delay Hanson's eligibility for arb/free agency if he opens the season in the minors and spends some time there.
So I think they go with the top four and then let Campillo, Morton and JoJo compete for the fifth spot (unless one of them's dealt for a hitter). Early on, anyway.
Let Hanson dominate AAA hitters for five or six starts and then call him up if he's needed.
Posted by: ink-stained scribe | January 13, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Just so you know Tim, the chat transcript on the site is the chat from Last week.
Posted by: tom | January 13, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Lowe is getting a lot of disrespect, just look at his tra, tra+, and WAR. also he throws less pitches than you would expect for the innings he throws which makes age much less of an issue. Vazquez also has borederline ace tra numbers, not saying he is but I wouldn't be surprised if he returned to Expos form after getting out of Chicago
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 02:16 PM
What is tra, and what does it help show?
Posted by: dcarp23 | January 13, 2009 at 03:11 PM
That youtube clip of Kawakami looked like he had some nasty stuff. Some of his pitches reminded me of Beckett's breaking ball and Hudson's fastball painting in the corners.
Start Hanson in the minors.
Let Lowe,JJ,Kawakami,Vasquez, and Campillo(if he still does what he did last year) start the season. If Campillo struggles, call up Morton. Hanson should at least get 5-10 starts in the minors and if he is dominating still and Campillo/Morton/Reyes are not doing well then bring him up.
Trade Vazsquez for 3rd base prospect and bullpen help.
Sign Chipper for another 3 years at 14 mil and pick up Hudson's 12 mil
2010
Lowe,Hudson,JJ,Kawakami,Hanson
Posted by: Bravesfan21 | January 13, 2009 at 03:14 PM
If we are still in playoff contention down the stretch in August, a rotation of: Lowe, Hudson, JJ, Kawakami, Vasquez would be very hard to beat.
Posted by: Bravesfan21 | January 13, 2009 at 03:17 PM
Bravesfan21, why the heck would we trade Vazquez when we ourselves just traded for him.
Posted by: JonB. | January 13, 2009 at 04:42 PM
I love how everyone thinks they are a GM truth is the Braves rotation (including Lowe) is now one of the most solid in the National League. Lowe is an ace over the last 7 years he is tied for 3rd in wins, and went 6-1 in his last 10 starts last year. With the Braves solid bullpen all you need is guys who can give you 7 good innings. Braves have 5 guys who can do that 6 if you count Glavine and 7 guys if you count Hudson. Although it does look like this will be Chippers last year unless he can stay healty and the Braves make a serious run. The future does look good for these guys. They finally have prospects with serious major league hopes again, something they didn't have for the last 8 years.
Posted by: snoot titanic | January 13, 2009 at 04:55 PM
What is tra, and what does it help show?
Posted by: dcarp23 | January 13, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Not sure how to exactly explain it but just look it up. I can tell you that its regarded as being a better judge of a pitcher's performance than ERA and win-loss
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 05:33 PM
braves rotation in 2010
Lowe
Hudson
JJ
Kawakami
Hanson/Jo Jo
The only thing that could be better would be signing Ben Sheets to a 2 year 8 MM per year. This would mean in 2010
Sheets
Lowe
Hudson
JJ
Kawakami
Posted by: Dan Berlinger | January 13, 2009 at 06:46 PM
I'd guess that the simplest way to put tRA+ is that it's a way to judge a pitchers' performance that is supposedly defense, league and park factor independent.
In other words, it's supposed to determine the value of a pitcher while including where he plays, who he plays, and the quality of the defense behind him.
Basically, it's like ERA+ but includes defensive and luck factors, helping to create a better picture of how good a pitcher is.
I believe a 100 tRA+ is league average, just like with OPS+ and ERA+.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 13, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Unless I'm mistaken, Hudson/Braves have a "mutual" option for 2010.
Posted by: paul_318 | January 13, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Dan as nice as it sounds, hanson figures to be better value than sheets and there's almost no chance he doesn't have a rotation spot locked up by 2010
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 13, 2009 at 10:18 PM
JonB,
We would trade Vasquez b/c we will have Hanson, who can hopefully stay a solid pitcher and take over Vasquez's spot in the roatation in the 2010 season.
With Lowe, JJ, Kawakami, Hanson, Vasquez, and Hudson(if his option gets picked up) then there is an odd man out.
I would rather see Vasquez go then anyone else, unless we decide to put him in the bullpen, which is unlikely. It just makes sense. Baseballnomics 101.
Posted by: Bravesfan21 | January 13, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Look, the braves rotation is better then last year. What they need now is a leftfielder like MANNY (2yr, 60 million)sound go as a offer. if that fail, which it could. they then need to go after garret anderson(1yr, 8 million). Manny would be best in the middle of thye lineup in back of jones and in front of mccanns.
Posted by: mayday | January 14, 2009 at 11:57 AM
So Mayday where exactly is that 30 million coming from? Cause if you're donating to Wren, thanks. The Braves might not even have enough money for Adam Dunn, no one knows for sure. What we do know is they don't have the money to Manny. Manny does not fit with this team
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 14, 2009 at 01:18 PM
The Braves are able to pay Manny! They at one point during the 08 season were going to resign Tex. They have the money they just dont want to spend it. Even if, it means more fans. They need help filling the seats at the park.
Posted by: mayday | January 19, 2009 at 06:26 PM