Kenshin Kawakami signs with the Atlanta Braves
by gondeee on Jan 10, 2009 2:45 PM EST
in Free Agents
140 comments
From the comments section of D-Fab's blog:
Just filed story for paper and online, should be up soon. Deal is done, pending physical. Kawakami is flying [in] for physical Monday, press conference likely not until Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
Well, we got another pitcher to fill out our major league staff. Instead of injury question marks, Kawakami comes with the question mark that any Japanese player comes with; can he pitch at the same level in the US? Here is a link to his stats during his years in the Japanese league. I also dug up a good video compilation of his "out pitches" -- pretty impressive.
I'll have more later, but I do like this move. We'll have to see how much we're paying him and how long the deal is for, but on first blush, this is a good move, and not a knee-jerk reaction at all to Smoltz leaving; the Braves were in on Kawakami from the beginning.
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I'll believe it when there's a press conference...
… thanks, Kinzer, Tellem, and Furcal.
Oh, Bobby.
by sdp on Jan 10, 2009 2:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
+1
Yeah, even though this seems legit, I’m also still gun-shy.
by gondeee on Jan 10, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's looking pretty official...
Maybe we can enjoy a sigh of relief.
Oh, Bobby.
by sdp on Jan 10, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looking like 3 years
Formerly Uncle Charlie of Minor League Ball
by Yakker on Jan 10, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh
Color me unconcerned about future signings and whether they will or won’t happen after they’ve been announced. I don’t think that’s going to happen again, with any team, for a long while after seemingly the Braves, Furcal, and Furcal’s agents wound up with egg on their faces.
by mattdiaz4life on Jan 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree//
I wont believe it till I see this guy holding up a Braves Jersey so in the mean time, he;s not a Brave
by AlRoBraves95 on Jan 11, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
After some Kilo meter to Miles converting
Kawakami throws a 90mph fastball and a 67 mph curveball with a big break.
by nick9314 on Jan 10, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice Job Frank
Wren has been getting bashed all off-season, but he has made 2 good moves, but now needs to address the fact that we still need a LF, we don’t know who our CF will be and we still need 1 Sp who can lead the staff. How does a 2010 staff of Hudson, Lowe, Kawakami, Jurjjens, and Hansen look.
by mauck98 on Jan 10, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
shit, we won’t even need hudson back considering you forgot vazquez…shit. hudson-lowe-vazquez-kawakami-jurrjens looks insane. we can let hanson develop at his own pace and not push him
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 10, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What is that pitch??
He throws what looks like a cutter that breaks hard in to right hand batters. That is a wicked looking pitch. The ninth one at 40 seconds in.
Another one I can’t identify…looks like a shitty curve but doesn’t dive like a splitter
And I second the comment on the curveball. That is pretty sick looking
He has a great deal of vaious “out” pitches so depending how he adapts and how much we paid, could be a good acquisition
by temjin9876 on Jan 10, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
His pitch is a cutter
That is his out pitch, best cutter in Japan according to most experts. I think that the other one you didn’t know is a Shuto.
That curve is wicked.
by Andy Braves Fan on Jan 10, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The GYROBALL
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 10, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like his curve. Lot’s of movement.
His 2-seamer running in on RHs looks nice too. Maybe a little too flat to bust in on the like of Ryan Howard and Delgado, but definitely a serviceable pitch in the majors.
by mburris1 on Jan 10, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
3 year deal
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-kawakamibraves011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
by nick9314 on Jan 10, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The link didn't work...Heres what it said.
"Kawakami gets 3-year deal from Braves
By Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports
39 minutes ago
Buzz up!
Print
More From Tim Brown
Kawakami could gain by Smoltz’s decision Jan 8, 2009
Hoffman has offers from two teams Jan 6, 2009
Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami agreed to a three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Kawakami, 33, is scheduled to take a physical early next week.
Kawakami was 9-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 20 starts for the Chunichi Dragons last season and has a 112-72 record in an 11-year career, all of it spent with the Dragons.
Kawakami, who also was hotly pursued by the Baltimore Orioles, will bolster a rotation thinned by the loss of Tim Hudson, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August, and John Smoltz, who signed this week with the Red Sox. They also have yet to re-sign Tom Glavine, who had shoulder and elbow surgery about two weeks after Hudson’s surgery.
The Braves are in heavy negotiations for veteran right-hander Derek Lowe, however, and acquired Javier Vazquez from the White Sox in early December."
by nick9314 on Jan 10, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like it
Fell right off the table
by VictorW on Jan 10, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
3 year deal. Soudns good. I think this is pretty obvious this deal is gonna happen now
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 10, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i can’t get over that curve…my god. he looks like he paints the corners fantastically well, too.
more kuroda, less irabu. i approve
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 10, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah i got a woody when i saw that curve
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my knees legit got weak every time he threw it. so awesome.
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 10, 2009 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
seriously, probably the best one i’ve ever witnessed. i stood up and said OMG when i first saw it
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"probably the best one [curveball] i’ve ever witnessed"
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s hardly Sele or Zito material. I think he has a good first half and tanks later in the season.
by Land-Man on Jan 10, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
kenshin’s curveball is way better than zito’s
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe its not way better, but to say its hardly sele or zito material is ludicrous
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prestige
World Wide!
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 10, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm starting to feel better
I like this signing, though it could be that I’m just happy we had some news that wasn’t absolutely catastrophic. Now we just need to add one of Lowe or Sheets then turn our attention toward an outfielder (whether by trade or signing Dunn).
/resisting urge to rosterbate …
"Debated ya right not one person agreed with me" by ATLsportsfrk on Dec 27, 2008 6:31 PM EST
by scstrato on Jan 10, 2009 5:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I love Asian announcers
Well, Chinese ones aren’t as fun for me since I actually understand what they’re saying, but the Japanese or Korean ones make everything sound so epic since I don’t understand what’s going on. My favorite part is when they shout SHUUTO!!! at about 35 seconds in.
I averaged the last 5 seasons to get the following:
174 IP per season
1.01 HR per 9
1.579 BB per 9
7.89 K’s per 9
5 K to BB ratio (exact value!)
Obviously it’s not going to translate like this in the MLB, but these are nice peripherals. He controls his pitches very well and still has a good K rate and a great BB rate. Kawakami’s last 5 years show a better BB and K rate than Kuroda’s last 5 years in Japan (Kuroda had a 3.95 K to BB ratio), but Kuroda had a better HR rate (0.81 per 9) and about 12 more IP per season.
So the eyes says he has good control and the numbers agree too. Should be a solid big league pitcher.
by VictorW on Jan 10, 2009 5:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you think asian baseball announcers? asian fight announcers…woooooooooooow. amazing
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 10, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol I thought they said SOTO!!!!!!!!!!
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 10, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love the word shuuto
Formerly Uncle Charlie of Minor League Ball
by Yakker on Jan 10, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like he has a pretty nice arsenal. That curveball is absurd.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 10, 2009 5:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Reminds me a little of Maddux at about that age. Granted, we’re seeing the “best of”, but very nice late break on his pitches, including very nice FB movement. And his control seems to be as good as advertised.
Formerly Uncle Charlie of Minor League Ball
by Yakker on Jan 10, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can he play LF?
He bats right handed!
The logo on the red team’s hat totally looks like Cincinnati’s and Kawakami’s totally looks like San Diego’s. The lettering on the Dragon’s logo looks kinda like the Dodgers too.
by VictorW on Jan 10, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The other team is the Hiroshima Carp.
by mburris1 on Jan 10, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That image makes me think of Lavar Burton for some reason.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re getting your arching rainbows confused.
by Euruproktos on Jan 11, 2009 2:04 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I know, right?
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Several teams in the Central League, which is the older and traditionally stronger of the two Japanese leagues, pretty much based their uniforms on those of National League teams. Yomiuri Giants = New York/San Francisco Giants, Chunichi Dragons = Los Angeles Dodgers, and Hiroshima Toyo Carp = Cincinnati Reds, right down to the “C” on the cap.
by Tokyokie on Jan 11, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is opener of 2008
and first one for Dragons
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
New Tradition?
Maybe the Braves should give a stuffed animal away to players when they hit home runs….
by mac37203 on Jan 14, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rosenthal says Braves are all over Lowe and could offer him 3 years/40-42mil
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 10, 2009 6:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'd be down with that.
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 10, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Booyah
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
- Bobby Cox (talking about Boyer)
by FrankyWren on Jan 10, 2009 6:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Any news on the figures of the contract?
by cirela20 on Jan 10, 2009 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does he speak English?
Kenshin, Where is Granpa Frank’s automobile? Au-to-mo-bile????……. Weck, Biiig Weck!!
by robking on Jan 10, 2009 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously though
Nice signing. If we get Lowe that will be sweet.
by robking on Jan 10, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why does everyone want Lowe so badly? He’ s old and expensive and will want a lot of years. We’re still a big bat and more away from contending. Let Morton/Reyes/Parr and crew fight it out.
by Land-Man on Jan 10, 2009 7:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Process of elimination
Lowe would pretty much solidify our rotation next year, there’s not many other options out there. We don’t have to trade any of our top young guys to get him and he’s a pretty good pitcher. Yeah he’s too expensive for a guy who’s not really an ace, but hey it’s not my money. If we sign Lowe, what are the chances we pick up Hudson’s 2010 option? I’d say pretty slim. I also wonder if the board could have a poll of which is better Kawakami/ Lowe or Peavy. Money wise it’s more for the former, but then we didn’t have to give up anything but a draft pick.
by robking on Jan 10, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I say
We sign Lowe for three years, then worry about what to do with six quality pitchers in 2010 when we get there: Hudson, Lowe, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Kawakami, Hanson.
by mattdiaz4life on Jan 10, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we dont give up a draft pick i beleive, because our pick is protected, but im not sure what level Lowe is… if he is type B we give up a 2nd rounder i beleive
"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."
by Swo12bv on Jan 10, 2009 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you were coming along so well my friend…
lowe is a type A and was offered arb, so the dodgers will get a pick for him. HOWEVER, our first round pick is in the top 15, so it is protected. if we signed lowe, we’d give up our second round pick like you said.
soooooo you were half right. good job
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 10, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
damn whiskey!
"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."
by Swo12bv on Jan 11, 2009 12:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
she’s the devil.
(bars just closed in athens, ga)
but i have a secret weapon—jim beam traveler and cali weed.
by Euruproktos on Jan 11, 2009 2:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cali weed is ok...
Try the Alaskan stuff, now that is money!
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 11, 2009 4:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
was it just me.
…or was the second guy hideki matsui and then ichiro later on in the clip?
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 8:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I thought the exact same thing. It looked exactly like matsui's stance.
by Charmin519 on Jan 10, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think it is. doesnt he wear 55 with the yanks too?
BOATS AND HOES
by heap16 on Jan 10, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That exactly what I thought the first time I saw the clip.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm...
Suddenly, I feel way more comfortable with next year. I have been a HUGE opponent to signing Lowe as well as getting Adam Dunn, but I will say, with 5 quality starters (I don’t think Lowe will be an Ace, but QS for sure), an exceptional defense and a speedy lineup (not a lot of power, but definately more speed than we have had in a while) I honestly think we can contend this year. If Wren can land Lowe, a OF bat (preferrably Nady, not Dunn…Dunn hits .237 for his CAREER with RISP, and I for one, don’t want to go through another ’07 Andruw again) and if Frenchy can pull his head out of his butt, I think we are in great shape.
I think we should also bring back A Jones at a minimum deal with incentives. If nothing else, he will be an upgrade on defense in the OF, and odds are, he can ONLY get better on offense, right? I mean, he has pretty much bottomed out as an offensive player.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 10, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’d take Nady or Dunn, but neither is the impact hitter we need to compete with the other NL East monsters. Maybe FW can pull some magic out of his ass with a trade, I still like Magglio.
by Land-Man on Jan 10, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i like magglio a lot too...
i dont want Dunn at all. I would rather have AJ out there in LF and take that gamble. But, no matter who we get, we won’t do anything unless Frenchy turns it around this year.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 10, 2009 9:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Francoeur and Andruw – co comeback players of the year
Dunn – 45 bombs and a .263 average
Braves – 2009 WS champs
by Bobby Cocks on Jan 10, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
so you're saying
that there needs to be a perfect storm…pretty much the opposite of what happened to us last year.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 10, 2009 10:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
dangit
i now have to get a new keyboard thanks to the beer all over it from my nose…i re-read what you wrote about Dunn’s avg…LOL
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 10, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You would think that by now that the Tigers would stop trading with the Braves.
by Euruproktos on Jan 11, 2009 2:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Dunn also has a .890 OPS with only 24 GIDPs for his career with RISP. Lets quote all the numbers, not just the ones that help your argument.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well,
whether he strikes out, pops out, grounds into double plays or whatever, he still gets a hit with risp less than 25% of the time…in other words, if he bats 4 times with risp, he only gets a hit once. I dont want to have THAT kind of production for my cleanup hitter!
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 1:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True…but at the same time he DOESN’T GET OUT 42% of that same time. And isn’t that what really matters?
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 1:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
let me check my math...
So, if he hits 23% of the time, and doesnt get out 42% of the time (of which that 23% is factored in), are we saying that he walks 19% of the time with risp? Now, I realize that sac flies are not factored into this batting average, and being a fly ball hitter, I am sure he has a quite a few sac flies, but still. He is at the most, knocking in 1 run for the most part (considering that most RISP situations consist of runners on 2nd) in the majority of his successes when batting w/ risp. Man, this is all confusing and gets pretty in depth, but my bottom line is that he only hits the ball 23-24% of the time when his team needs him to hit it most.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Uggg...
The goal of hitting isn’t driving in runs, it’s avoiding outs. I’ll take the top 8 OBP guys at their position, you take the top 8 RBI guys and I bet that I’ll win more often than not with equal pitching.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 2:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Way too tired to figure it out, but how much do these categories overlap? Or how many guys are in the top three for both?
by Euruproktos on Jan 11, 2009 2:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
except...
I am not talking about RBI’s per se. I am talking about hits. If you dont hit, especially with RISP, you don’t win. Having your cleanup man do his job less than a quarter of the time won’t cut it. If you can somehow explain to me how a guy who bats less than .250 for his CAREER and even lower with RISP for his career is a benefit to us, I would be very interested – especially considering that we need that guy to be our cleanup hitter!
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 2:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Flawed.
“If you dont hit, especially with RISP, you don’t win.”
Not getting a hit will never end an inning, so it is never directly responsible for losses. The expected run value of an inning increases if you add another baserunner without giving up an out. In most cases, a walk is better than a sacrifice (only “close and late” could you argue differently). If we got Dunn, he’d be a fine hitter anywhere in the line-up because his OPS is rock solid despite his AVG. If he walks with RISP, then it falls to McCann to drive him in and whomever he left on base; it wouldn’t end the inning spoiling the rally or hurting the team in anyway. I don’t understand how you could possibly think differently. The truth is this: if you make an out, especially with RISP, you don’t win.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 5:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And yes,
the point of an offense is to score runs. That is why players play offense. You are claiming that the point of an at bat is to get on base…but what is the point of getting on base – to score. How do you score? Once you get on base, someone knocks you in with a hit or sacrifice. It is a simple concept. If Dunn can do the job at a .420 clip, I am all for it. I don’t think he can though – especially since he will be our RBI man (hitting in the cleanup spot). I dont think .237 will be very successful.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 2:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
You score by not making outs. Four consecutive walks score a run. The point is not to maximize the odds of scoring a single run, but rather to maximize the odds of scoring as many runs as possible. You make it seem as though taking a walk when there are RISP is a bad thing and that is incredibly wrong. Taking a walk is almost always a good thing and a random situation with RISP is certainly one of them.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 5:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When I played, my goal at bat to get on base. Get a hit, get hit, take a walk, force an error, whatever. The point of an at bat is to get on base. I see your point about not getting hit’s with runners in scoring position, but if the dude is continuing the inning then he’s doing his job.
by cbwilk on Jan 11, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my goal was to not move my bat and take a walk, which i did frighteningly well
BIG JOE SUCK ONE
by bigjoe on Jan 11, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you suck
I hit homers and still do
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 11, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I get it
I am in agreement with you that walks are a good thing, but do you want your cleanup hitter, the one guy in the lineup who is supposed to mash everything, taking walks with risp? Of course it is better than an out, but wouldt you rather have him HIT the ball? Let’s say there is a runner on 2nd with an out or two. Dunn is up. He walks. Now you are no further along than you were before he went up to bat. If he were a leadoff guy, or even a 2 or 3 hitter, I wouldnt hate as much, but you dont want you cleanup guy walking more often than he hits. If we were signing Dunn to be a complimentary player (which he would be GREAT as) i would have a different opinion, but since we are signing him to be the savior of the OF on the offensive side of the ball, I think we should expect more than a .240 career average.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd be cool with him getting on base by a walk in that situation...
because then BMac will hit a 3-run bomb instead of a 2-run.
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 11, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, I would go the opposite of your line of thinking. To me, fast guys, leadoff type guys are the ones I want putting the ball in play because their speed can create things. If a thumper like Dunn is putting the ball in play, unless it’s going over the wall or off of it, he’s probably not going to be doing much to create havoc with the defense. And, like mvandonsel said, Heap isn’t to shabby at knocking in runs.
And, don’t forget, that 40 times a year Dunn is in scoring position when he comes up to the plate.
by cbwilk on Jan 11, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agree to disagree
i would rather have my speed guys get on base however they can, because like you said, they can wreak havoc – like stealing 2b after a single or a walk. then, while they are on 2b, the thumper can either sac them over to 3b or drive them in.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Now I now this is a pointless argument. If you think that sacrificing an out for the sake of moving a guy from 2B to 3B is a good idea in anything but a tie game in the 9th inning, then there’s no hope for us to ever see eye to eye.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and yes
it is true that dunn hits 40 hrs a year. but he only hits the ball less than 1/4 of the time. I’d rather have a guy hit 280-310-ish and hit 20 hrs than a guy hit 230 and hit 40. I am more of a “anything you can do” guy than a “all or nothing” guy.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like I Said Above.
If you really believe that (incomplete as it is without including other XBH and BB) then you and I simply won’t ever see eye to eye. Give me the guy with the higher OBP, regardless of the AVG. Give me the guy with the higher SLG, regardless of the average. Batting average is virtually useless in an age of OBP and innumerable other, more advanced metrics.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Justin, I understand what you are saying but it seems to me you are thinking in far too broad of terms. When you are watching a game and Chipper comes up with RISP do you get upset when he talks a walk? I know I don’t, and why would it be any different than Dunn? If he can continue the inning with a walk and let McCann hit with RISP, who just happens to have a .927 OPS with RISP…and a .297 BA since that seems to be your big thing, how can that be a bad thing?
And one last thing, in the times where Dunn is hitting the ball he’s doing so with a .474 SLG…so it’s not like he’s just hitting singles. For his career exactly 50% of his hits with RISP are XBH.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
your last line is why its so frustrating when he takes walks, because he has such prodigious power. I’m in complete agreement with you and ejruiz, don’t get me wrong; don’t make outs, and you’re good. I want Adam Dunn in my lineup…but man, if he can put a few more in play they go a long way.
And I realize the argument that “if he’s more aggressive it doesn’t mean he’ll hit more.”, and I’ll buy that. But its still…frustrating.
by soup du jour on Jan 11, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Look guys, we all know once Terry Pendleton gets a hold of Dunn, he will become the total package.
FIRE FRANK WREN! GO RED SOX! I HATE THE BRAVES! SAY GOODBYE TO MY 9 GAME FLEX PLAN MONEY! YOU'LL NEVER SEE ME AGAIN!
by 10-4 on Jan 11, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
21 Sac flies for his career with RISP, just for the record.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beat to the punch.
But what percentage of the time does he get out???
by Euruproktos on Jan 11, 2009 2:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Quiet you.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 12, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
only thing i would like from that guy is some movement on his fastball. its so flat and its not like its 95-98 mph. its like 90s i think is what i read. if it is pitched like that here it will get hit. maybe he should spend some time with greg maddux lol
the big positve though outside of all those pitches is he can consistently locate them which is good.
by drumzalicious on Jan 11, 2009 12:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Except
he has like a 30 mph difference in his fb and his cb…after throwing a 60 mph curve, a 90 mph fastball may as well be 150 mph.
"Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." - Sir Winston Churchill -
by justincredubil02 on Jan 11, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
It’s a tough angle to judge from but I’m pretty sure I see a left to right tailing action on his FB. Doesn’t look to be much but at least it’s not dead straight, though I could be wrong.
"Debated ya right not one person agreed with me" by ATLsportsfrk on Dec 27, 2008 6:31 PM EST
by scstrato on Jan 11, 2009 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am astounded by how close the japanese hitters stand with respect to the plate. With one guy his leg kick took his kneecap halfway out over the plate.
by soup du jour on Jan 11, 2009 2:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
probably doesnt mean much but,
Nick Cafardo says that Atlanta is an emerging destination for Adam Dunn
check it out on mlb trade rumors.
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 11, 2009 12:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hes also saying Ben Sheets is a bargain right now and Texas or Atlanta could get him cheap. Lowe/Kawamaki/Sheets/Dunn looks pretty good to me
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 11, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Could all just be speculation, but it would be nice if Wren had to “settle” for these guys…
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Jan 11, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah for sure. If we get Dunn and Lowe/Sheets to go with Kawakami and Vasquez thats a a pretty good offseason.
by SayHeyWerd on Jan 11, 2009 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All I know is...
If someone came to me at the end of the season and said you can have Sheets and Lowe but you have to give up Smoltz, there is no way I wouldn’t have done it. We’ll see.
by someguy917 on Jan 11, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I still think there’s something up with Sheets’ medical report that makes teams cringe. I’ve maintained that Atlanta won’t go after him due to the debacles last year. If we were to sign him, it would take a pretty good chunk of our money from this year (~$10mil?). This means that we would have to rely on him starting, which I think Wren wants to avoid at ALL costs.
by soup du jour on Jan 11, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, we should keep in mind that sheets isn’t just a player with a history of injury. he’s a currently injured player. do we even know that he’d be ready for ST?
by chief glock&hummer on Jan 11, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hes not really injured as far as i know, and i could be wrong… he tore, or strained at the least, his forearm… that is certainly not a long rehab process especially considering it started in sept.
Whats worrisome, is forearm injuries generally preclude a visit from James (since the braves go to Dr. Andrews so much ive decided to start goin first name basis with him).
"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."
by Swo12bv on Jan 11, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is
all of that is just speculation by the media. I’ve even seen reports/articles recently that say the problem isn’t his forearm/elbow, it’s concern over his shoulder. Who knows what to believe. The one thing I do believe is that major league teams have more information on the subject than we do and that has to be the reason for the lack of interest.
"Debated ya right not one person agreed with me" by ATLsportsfrk on Dec 27, 2008 6:31 PM EST
by scstrato on Jan 11, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
As soon as I have a child...
I am going to put a robotic left arm on the kid, then we will get PAID!!!!
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 11, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just so long as he has a left arm…because remember if Mark Redmond can continually find a job so can anyone
"We win today, that's two in a row... if we win tomorrow, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before..."
by Swo12bv on Jan 11, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly why I would put a robotic left arm...
Plus he would never need surgery on it!
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 11, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If we sign Lowe and Dunn
I might start getting somewhat excited. Would that even be possible with the current payroll situation?
Sill need some RH production. It scares me to think we’ll be relying on FYF once again.
by Land-Man on Jan 11, 2009 10:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sure.
I can’t see Dunn getting much more than Burrell ($8M/year) and it looks as though Lowe won’t do better than $15M/year. So far we’ve added the significant salary of Vazquez ($11.5M/year) and can only speculate as to what we’ve commited to Kawakami ($8M/year?). If my estimates are correct, that should be just fine along with some of the lesser vet signings that we’ve made. No room for Glavine though, thank God. No Sheets either, but I can live with that.
by ejruiz on Jan 11, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His control is pinpoint, makes up for the lack of velocity and the velocity isn’t too bad at 90. Also as everyone said, the curveball is nasty, but still the control impresses me the most.
by MatM on Jan 11, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As a lifelong Dragons fan
I’ve watched him as a Dragon for past 11 years… here’s some part of my photo/video of him at spring training in my neighborhood in Chatan, Okinawa.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j4wyqzFUO40
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oCdqVnUnyys
Any questions?
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 7:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kenshin Kawakami's "the user's manual"
Here’s some notes for him for his better performance, which is somewhat common knowledge among Dragons fan community, aka “The user’s manual for Kenshin Kawakami”:
- Better for longer rest, 6 days is the best (I know this doesn’t work in your rotation)
- Likes pitching in dome stadium so much, not very good for outdoor (half of NPB home stadiums are dome), but don’t like Tokyo Dome (It is quite similar to Metro Dome, and he is 0-2, 8.27 ERA for 4 starts in these 2 years)
- No complete games in these two years and always need for help of relievers, even many of Japanese pitcher like to do this (including Matsuzaka, Kuroda). Have to watch for late inning homer.
- Loves to pitch for season opener and play-off opener.
- Very good contact hitter. Hit first homer of Dragons last year.
- Be careful if his team take early lead in the game
- Good and bad seasons are always every other year
- Don’t put up any hair-growth drug ad in the stadium
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t like to pitch outdoors? Not good.
What do you mean by “Be careful if his team take early lead in the game”? Does he tend to relax, and give up runs?
I literally lol’d at the last one.
by VegasAces on Jan 13, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right, he would be too much relaxed if his team get 3-4 runs in early innings, and you’ll be not very relaxed maybe in 5th or 6th inning..
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Very interesting facts, and nice pictures.
Unfortunately, he’s not going to get six days of rest, practically ever throughout the season, so I hope he conditions himself in preparation for the five-day rotation. The early lead theory bothers me no matter who is pitching, because once any pitcher has a lead, they tend to throw more strikes to speed up the game. The bi-annual streakiness is something to be a concern.
And also lol’d at the last one. Thankfully, Turner Field has to my experiences ever endorsed any form of hair-growth products, and their players don’t have to wear Asahi or Ebisu biiru patches on their uniforms, either.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
by royhobbs on Jan 13, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
up to 100 pitches and 4 days rest
In NPB, aces including Kawakami regularly got 5-6 days rest and going 120+ pitches, and expected complete game to rest relievers. Those pitchers are trained to do this, and this kinda limitations in MLB bothers those who joins from Japan. Matsuzaka was very, VERY frustrated as his pitch count was limited both in the game, rest days and spring training, and that was the biggest reason of his glitch in these 2 years. Hope Kawakami get used to your common practices earlier.
Happy to know there’s no hair related ad in your stadium, he should not be bothered. I think you refers MLB all-star tour in Japan for ad patches on jersey of American players (it is by major sponsors of the series), but recently most of NPB teams regularly do it, as recent economic situation generally and in sports marketing forced them to do so.
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Kawakami adapts quickly, and learns that MLB umpires will not give him the corners all the time. If he can pitch strikes, and utilize that curveball like the videos I’ve seen thus far, I’m hoping he will do well.
The patches, I am referring to the WBC where Team Japan all had Asahi patches on their jerseys. I understand that they are likely paying for a lot, so the endorsements are very important.
One more question – is there any reason why starting pitchers like Kawakami, Kuroda and Matsuzaka all have the similar low-kick, low-squat, arms out in front delivery? Is there a popular coaching method that teaches these kind of fundamentals?
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
by royhobbs on Jan 13, 2009 9:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
zones
Kawakami have good (and actually bad) international experiences and his corner work should be adapted earlier, that’s easy job than hitters.
His best pitch is the cutter, definitey, and the curveball with a big break only used for 3-5 time a game only for stunning power hitters.
Japan team for WBC is sponsored exclusively by Asahi with big money throughout their activities. So they have to wear their logo all the time and show up in their commercial films…
Well, those 3 pitchers are based on same fundamental, but I guess it’s just one of them. We have many high-kick, high-squat and wind-up pitchers definitely. Kawakami sometimes pitches from the stretch without runners, when he find his pitch location are not very good on that day, or he don’t like the hill slope.
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kawakami's official website
BTW, he has his own website, just in case you folks don’t know -
He is writing diary there, mainly after he pitched in the game.
Hope you like opening promo on his website.
by dragonsfanatic on Jan 13, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome!!
Thank you very much for all the info, I hope you stick around!
best defensive shortstop in baseball hahahahahahahahahah (omar visquel)
by mvandonsel on Jan 13, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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