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« Brewers Won't Sign "Big-Bucks" Starter | Main | Dan Johnson Signs With Yokohama »
Braves Sign Kenshin Kawakami
2:47pm: Says Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown, the contract is a three-year deal.
1:43pm: David O'Brien says, "Deal is done, pending physical." Kenshin Kawakami is an Atlanta Brave.
SATURDAY, 11:34am: In the comments section of his own post, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes:
I really think the Braves have reached an agreement with Kawakami. And not because a Japanese paper reported it.
In the body of the article, he writes that an announcement by Kawakami's people "could come at any time."
7:45pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman that the Braves may have already lured Kawakami. The report says "multiple Major League sources" are confirming tonight that a deal is near completion and that this rate, Kawakami could take a physical on Monday. The report also details that the Braves are readying their first offer for Derek Lowe, which they plan to make next week. More from Bowman here.
FRIDAY, 5:00pm: This link is gaining in popularity. It says the Braves are close to a deal with Kenshin Kawakami, but there's still a chance he could sign elsewhere. I do think the Braves may end up signing him but I still feel this report may be jumping the gun.
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KAW-A-KAMI CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP lol
Posted by: BravoMan | January 10, 2009 at 02:02 PM
GOOD SIGN Braves.. Now a solid (hopefully) of a 3-4 starter and a foot in the Japanese doorway for players to come.
Posted by: johns | January 10, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Good to have him on board. He should have early successes (like many other imports) as the leagues figure out who he is.
Posted by: ABravesFan | January 10, 2009 at 02:07 PM
About Hanson, doesn't the Braves delay his arbitration date if they bring up in May instead of out of spring training (similar to what happened to Evan Longoria last year)?
There is definitely no need to break camp with him.
Posted by: ABravesFan | January 10, 2009 at 02:08 PM
Sounds like we're on our way: Kawakami, then Lowe, then Dunn. I'll be happy when it happens, and Wren might be working his way back into my good graces.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | January 10, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Love the chat about the Braves, really... But even if they do sign Lowe, AND add a big bat, they are still battling the Marlins for 3rd place. The Phillies are the 2008 World Champs and back to back NL East Champs, the Mets are right there too... winning the NL East in 2006 and then melt downs in 2007 and 2008.
fact is.. Both the Mets and Phillies are still far and above better than the Braves.
Sorry...
Posted by: FyreKnight | January 10, 2009 at 02:47 PM
WOO HOO WE FINALLY SIGNED SOMEONE! Not sure how great he will be but it is someone I guess.
Posted by: ScottBravesfan19 | January 10, 2009 at 02:49 PM
FyreKnight - OBVIOUS TROLL IS OBVIOUS
Posted by: Baleen | January 10, 2009 at 02:51 PM
If the Braves also sign Lowe, how much money will they have remaining for LF?? By my count 40-45 minus Javy 11.5 = 28.5-33.5 minus Ross 1.5 = 27-32. Assuming Lowe gets $15 and Kawakami got $7 that leaves 5-10 mil. Will Dunn sign for that?? I wouldn't mind the Braves take a look at Sheets. Just gives the Braves some insurance and lets the young guys grow in the minors.
Posted by: BravesWorld | January 10, 2009 at 02:57 PM
I think that if the braves sure up their pitching staff and stay healthy, plus a big bat, and a hitting Franceour, they will be tough to play with
Posted by: MVP#10 | January 10, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Granted that is a lot to count on.
Posted by: MVP#10 | January 10, 2009 at 03:00 PM
The braves will still finish in 4th place, the phillies wont have utley and romero for the beginning of the season and the marlins dont scare me. meaning the Mets will be the NL champs.
just kidding, it will be a fun year in the NL east, the mets have a lot to prove.
Posted by: metsfan08 | January 10, 2009 at 03:02 PM
I'm astounded by how many Braves fans there are who still cannot correctly spell "Jurrjens."
Posted by: Stephen Peele | January 10, 2009 at 03:05 PM
I agree MVP if we were to sign Lowe and Vasquez Jurrjens stay healthy and do what they can thats a tough
1-3 plus if we get maybe Dunn and Francoeur gets back to .300 and 20 HR's and 100 RBI's, keep everyone healthy the Braves re going to be tough.
Posted by: ScottBravesfan19 | January 10, 2009 at 03:06 PM
now that we got Kawakami and if we get Lowe, where does that put Huddy when he comes back late this season? Hope he comes back strong and we sign him long term cause i will still love to have huddy aroung for years to come with Hanson and hopefully Lowe
Posted by: Brave New World | January 10, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Hudson would probably go in for Campillo or Glavine's #5 spot if he comes back, but wow Glavine in the pen? That would be weird.
Posted by: ScottBravesfan19 | January 10, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Or Kawakami's spot if he doesn't work out I guess is possible for Hudson too.
Posted by: ScottBravesfan19 | January 10, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Anyone know the $$$ on Kawakami's contract?
Posted by: Bravesfan10 | January 10, 2009 at 03:31 PM
i would imagine about 3yrs $21 mill which is not bad at all and hope he can be a solid middle of the rotation pitcher
Posted by: Brave New World | January 10, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Ankiel for Mike Gonzalez is a STEAL for the Braves. Good corner OF >>>> good closer.
Absolute steal. Ankiel plays good defense in a corner OF spot (but not good in CF).
I still think getting into the bidding for Matt Holliday and using Frenchy as trade bait (if he rebounds) or getting rid of him (if he sucks) is a good idea. That opens up the spot for Heyward nicely. Depends on how Matty performs in Oaktown and how expensive he will be though.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 10, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Please tell me this is sarcasism. Mike Gonzalez is far more important to the braves than ankiel would be. Did you notice how many 1 run games the braves lost last year? A lot of that had to do with the bullpen and Gnzalez bring stability to the closer role something we haven't had since smoltz returned to the starters role. Ludwick is nice but we can get dunn/abreu instead. Besides who knows if that was a once in a lifetime season. There are no sure things on the closer market, dunn/abreu is a better acquisiton. While I would love Holliday, I think a more reasonable target would be Jason Bay. He's a guy the Braves had interest in before and wont carry the pricetag Holliday will. The Yankees and Red Sox(assuming Bay tests FA) will have holes in left field next year and im sure Holliday, barring a complete drop-off this year, will get over 20 million a year which the braves cant afford
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 10, 2009 at 04:04 PM
"Mike Gonzalez is far more important to the braves than ankiel would be."
lol, no. A ~0.8 WAR reliever generally isn't worth more than a ~1.5 WAR corner OF.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 04:36 PM
If they sign Lowe - i see them trading away Vazquez next winter to free up some money to give Huddy an extension
Hudson Lowe Hanson JJ Kawakami 2010.
Posted by: Z3R0 | January 10, 2009 at 04:38 PM
iamnobody WAR is great at times this is not one of them. Gonzalez is the only viable closer on the Braves roster. Soriano is a constant injury risk. Moylan, is he ready? even if he is, he has never closed. As i said there are better options in free agency over ankiel, accidentaly mentioned ludwick. However, there are not better options than mike gonzalez in free agency for closers
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 10, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Ankiel is a one-year rental. He's a Boras client, so he'll become a free agent next year, without question, and the Braves won't win a bidding war. Gonzalez is the better player to have on the Braves roster, especially since he doesn't have to leave if we sign Dunn.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | January 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
I would want to trade Vazquez as well next winter and sign Huddy long term and have Huddy Lowe JJ KK and Hanson but dont know if they will do that since we gave up Flowers to get him
Posted by: Brave New World | January 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
"Gonzalez is the only viable closer on the Braves roster."
Why is that? We have other relievers, and while they aren't as good as Gonzalez, there is only about a 0.4 WAR difference at most.
"As i said there are better options in free agency over ankiel"
I'm don't necessarily disagree with that, but we were talking about which player would be of more value to the Braves, Ankiel or Gonzalez.
"However, there are not better options than mike gonzalez in free agency for closers"
There are other ways to get relief pitching.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:00 PM
well in regards to the ankiel for gonzo swap, the braves wont do it because ankiel is a free agent after this year and the braves bullpen was a soft spot last year. If the Braves signed Lowe and then a good bat like Abreu or trade for Swisher then they will be in the mix. For all the Braves haters the marlins traded alot of their talent away this off-season and the Nats suck, so stop saying its a race for 4th or 5th. Any reasonable baseball fan would see right now the Mets have choked with the same team 2 years in a row and have no 5th starter, 2nd basemen and no lf of great value. Then the Phillies just got hot at the same time but they are the champs so god bless them. The NL east is not the AL east with Yankees and Red Soxs buying everyone and having complete monster line-ups
Posted by: nathan | January 10, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Everyone is totally forgetting Charlie Morton in their pitching rotation projections.
I think the rotaton will be (if Lowe signs):
Lowe
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Kawakami
Charlie Morton\Campillo
If Lowe doesn't sign it will be:
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Kawakami
Glavine
Charlie Morton\Campillo
I think that Campillo goes back to long relief and Glavine retires.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Why would you want Morton starting instead of Campillo?
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:25 PM
For all the Braves haters the marlins traded alot of their talent away this off-season and the Nats suck, so stop saying its a race for 4th or 5th.
Posted by: nathan | January 10, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Uh....what team are you talking about? The Marlins have one of the strongest young pitching staffs in major league baseball (Johnson, Volstad, Sanchez, Nolasco, Miller). They also have power and speed in their lineup. The Marlins could very well win the NL East next season. And the Nats are getting better too.
I love the Braves but will be the first to admit that it would take a miracle for them to win the NL East next year.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Why would you want Morton starting instead of Campillo?
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Because Morton is young and has a bright future. Campillo is more valuable as a spot starter and long reliever.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 05:26 PM
"The Marlins have one of the strongest young pitching staffs in major league baseball (Johnson, Volstad, Sanchez, Nolasco, Miller)."
The Marlins have the 4th best pitching staff in the division, and it's not close.
"They also have power and speed in their lineup."
Their lineup may be the worst in the division.
"The Marlins could very well win the NL East next season."
Or, more likely, finish a distant 4th.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I think all these Mets and Phillies fans are forgetting that by the All Star Break last year we were only 5 games out. We had already lost Soriano and Moylan in our bullpen meaning we had no closer since Gonzalez was out.
We also had lost Hampton(big surprise), Glavine, and Smoltz. making 3, no one but THREE holes in our rotation numbers 2,3, and 4. that were filled by Morton, Reyes and Campillo. i dont know if you remember but Morton and Reyes were Garbage. Reyes inconsistent and Morton battling a back injury.
With that said. how can we possibly be on the outside looking in when we have:
>plugged almost every hole in our rotation?
>we have an opening day closer
>we will hopefully have an power OF
plus if frenchy comes back thats one less automatic out in our lineup.
i'll gladly watch as we "creep" up and take the NL East.
BTW about the OF need.
Remember that Wren was quoted as saying that the money they would have paid smoltz in the entire year was put aside. if thats 2.5 mil then great if its the whole 12 mil which i hope it is then even better =^)
So why dont we Sign Abreu AND trade for Nady. only if Abreu can play CF (can he?)
1. Escobar
2. Abreu CF
3. Chippper 3B
4. Nady LF
5. McCann C
6. Frenchy RF
7. Kotchman 1B
8. Johnson 2B
1. Lowe
2. Vazquez
3. Jurrjens
4. Glavine/Campillo
5. Kawakami
Posted by: drumzalicious | January 10, 2009 at 05:31 PM
"Because Morton is young and has a bright future. Campillo is more valuable as a spot starter and long reliever."
Young w/ a bright future is nice, but it doesn't win ballgames. Campillo is the better pitcher right now.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Haha, I'm glad you're so optimistic drumz, but I think we'll be finishing 3rd next season unless we make some major changes. We still have a big hole in our rotation, and our outfield is terrible. Our bullpen isn't very good, either, but that is less of a concern.
As for putting Abreu in CF, that is a really, really bad idea.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:34 PM
"The Marlins have the 4th best pitching staff in the division, and it's not close."
"Their lineup may be the worst in the division."
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I am sorry but you are GREATLY underestimating the fish.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Drumz, Abreu can barely play LF, much less CF.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 05:43 PM
"I am sorry but you are GREATLY underestimating the fish."
How so? They have an excellent SS, a solid 2B, and a solid CF. The rest of their lineup sucks. As for their rotation, how many innings do you think they're going to get out of all those young guys, only two of whom have ever thrown more than 115 innings in the majors in a season?
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 05:51 PM
As to the fish and thier pitching staff, they are good with johnson and miller. And dont count out Vandenhurk or volstad. And has anyone checked out wiki? It has a qoute from Wren saying smoltz was an old drunk.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Wiki page for Kawakami.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:02 PM
this is nuts!
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:06 PM
"As to the fish and thier pitching staff, they are good with johnson and miller. And dont count out Vandenhurk or volstad."
And dont' forget their ace Ricky Nolasco or Anibal Sanchez. Their pitching is staff has the potential to be one of the best in baseball within the next couple of years.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | January 10, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Wait, what? The Red Sox didn't sign him too?
Posted by: unbiasedhomer | January 10, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Dunn is a less athletic version of carlos lee with less average. He has first base written all over him.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:21 PM
What hole in our rotation? we just signed Kawakami and now it looks as though we are signing Lowe early next week.
What hole? you mean the hole of dominant ace? ala Santana, Lincecum, Halladay, Oswalt, Peavy, Webb, etc?
So tell me this where were these teams with their bonafied aces last year?
ill put it like this
say every starter is expected to at least give up as many runs that is his number in the rotation
#1 - 1 run
#2 - 2 runs
etc.
so if we have
Lowe - #2
Jurrjens - #3
Vazquez - #3
Kawakami - #3 - is what he is profiled as
then a #5
means our rotation gives up 16 runs in a 5 day span
a rotation with a true #1 would give up 15.
in that way we would be one run short. mainly in the game where we face the opposing teams ace.
Personally i think both Vazquez and Jurrjens will be pitching like #2's next year.
also in regards to the marlins rotation, Bobby Cox even admitted that they have the best rotation in the division
Posted by: drumzalicious | January 10, 2009 at 06:30 PM
"What hole in our rotation? we just signed Kawakami and now it looks as though we are signing Lowe early next week."
I meant as of right now, without Lowe, we have a hole.
"also in regards to the marlins rotation, Bobby Cox even admitted that they have the best rotation in the division"
So? Just because he's Bobby Cox, doesn't make him right.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 06:34 PM
The Marlins rotation has the most upside/potential, but they are unproven compared to the rotations of the Mets and Phillies.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 10, 2009 at 06:34 PM
The Marlins rotation has the most upside/potential, but they are unproven compared to the rotations of the Mets and Phillies.
Posted by: melonis rex | January 10, 2009 at 06:34 PM
i wouldnt be surprised if they are the ones leading the NL east and being this years Rays. i mean of course i want the Braves to win the NL East but if the Braves do i would put the Marlins in the Wild Card
Posted by: drumzalicious | January 10, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Right now it's looking like:
NYM
PHI
ATL
FLA
WAS
...imho
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 06:40 PM
I like Campilo as the #5, just dont over use him.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Dont put choke artists that high.
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 06:42 PM
I won't believe it till I see him pitch on the mound in an Atlanta Braves uni. Plenty of time to back out....
Posted by: BraveNewWorld | January 10, 2009 at 07:50 PM
NY 1st??? Based on?
A Rotaion of
Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Redding
Niese
You're kidding, right?
Posted by: FyreKnight | January 10, 2009 at 08:06 PM
ok so Beginning of September
NYM
PHI
ATL
FLA
WAS
End of September
PHI
ATL
FLA
WAS
NYM
...theyll find a way...lol jk jk jk
Posted by: zephyr8 | January 10, 2009 at 08:17 PM
"NY 1st??? Based on?
A Rotaion of
Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Redding
Niese
You're kidding, right?"
What's wrong with that rotation? It may not be as good as the Braves or the Phillies, but it isn't much worse, if at all.
Posted by: iamnobody | January 10, 2009 at 08:24 PM
will any japanese ace ever be an ace in mlb? cause kuroda and kenshami(sorry about spelling) were aces, but are only #3s
Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | January 10, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Its pretty obvious that the Mets are going to sign either Lowe or Perez.
The rotation won't be Santana, Maine, Pelfrey, Redding and Niese, they'll end up giving more time to Niese in AAA, which he likely could use.
You're far more likely to see a rotation of Santana, Lowe/Perez, Maine, Pelfrey and Redding.
That's probably the best rotation in the division, with the Phillies and Marlins behind but close together as second and third.
The upside of Nolasco, Johnson, Volstad, Miller and Sanchez is massive.
Considering Florida has a stacked farm system, you're looking at another Marlins revival soon.
Picture this team in a couple years:
CF Maybin
2B Coghlan
SS Ramirez
1B Morrison
RF Stanton
3B Dominguez
LF Hermida
C Skipworth
That's fuckin scary.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 10, 2009 at 08:55 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Is that the 1980s Oakland team!
Posted by: Tomahawk368 | January 10, 2009 at 09:12 PM
For anyone who's sick of hearing that the Yankees buy their championships, take a look at this article:
http://riveravereview.blogspot.com/2009/01/defending-steinbrenner-way.html
Posted by: jett | January 10, 2009 at 09:23 PM
1B Casey Kotchman
2B Kelley Johnson
SS Yunel Escobar
3B Chipper Jones
LF Nick Swisher
CF Josh Anderson/Brandon Jones
RF Jeff Francouer
C Brian McCann
SP Derek Lowe
SP Jair Jurrjens
SP Javier Vazquez
SP Kenshin Kawakami
SP Jorge Campillo/Tommy Hanson
CP Mike Gonzalez
Posted by: Rolling{Night}Hawk{09} | January 10, 2009 at 09:40 PM
will any japanese ace ever be an ace in mlb? cause kuroda and kenshami(sorry about spelling) were aces, but are only #3s
Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | January 10, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Id say Daisuke Matsuzaka is getting close
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Considering Florida has a stacked farm system, you're looking at another Marlins revival soon.
Picture this team in a couple years:
CF Maybin
2B Coghlan
SS Ramirez
1B Morrison
RF Stanton
3B Dominguez
LF Hermida
C Skipworth
That's fuckin scary.
Posted by: scribbletone | January 10, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Could just as easily say imagine the Braves with
1. Schafer/Gorkys CF
2. Yunel SS
3. Chipper 3B (He'll be 39-40 at this point but should still be a good hitter, maybe bradon hicks/eric campbell will be able to come in and take his spot but im sure chipper will still be able to hit at 40)
4. Jason Heyward LF
5. Freddie Freeman 1B
6. Brian McCann C
7. Jeff Francoeur/Gorkys RF
8. Kelly Johnson 2B
thats a scary lineup too
Posted by: bravesfan22193 | January 10, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Eric Campbell isn't taking anybody's spot unless every MLB pitcher throws him on the inner half, and Hicks has a loop in his swing that makes Andruw Jones look fundamentally perfect. Don't believe the hype.
Posted by: unbiasedhomer | January 11, 2009 at 12:08 AM
This guy, Kawakami, throws some ludicrous curve balls.
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg35/KAM6794/?action=view¤t=output-1.gif
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg35/KAM6794/?action=view¤t=output-2-1.gif
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg35/KAM6794/?action=view¤t=output-3.gif
Posted by: Braddd | January 11, 2009 at 01:48 AM
unbiasedhomer:
but when grant green falls to us at #7 this year...HE'LL be our future 3B.
like in, the May of 2010.
Posted by: apoxonbothyourhouses | January 11, 2009 at 09:51 AM
"This guy, Kawakami, throws some ludicrous curve balls."
He's got a wicked cutter too.
Posted by: BravoMan | January 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I will admit I still dont like the idea of signing players out of Japan's league based on how made it makes them, but I would really like to see this guy do well.
Posted by: Phillip_Cannon | January 12, 2009 at 11:11 PM
What do people think of this season's crops of imports and how they will fare fantasy-wise? These guys are always interesting commodities on draft day since it's hard to gauge their value.
I actually read a really good piece on all the Japanese imports and their fantasy prospects this year (complete with scouting report and links to video) on fantasyguys.blogspot.com if anyone needs to do any homework on Kawakami and co. Pretty useful stuff.
Kawakami looks like the guy to bet on for 2009 out of the group...
Posted by: Fantasy Fred | January 14, 2009 at 02:14 PM