It’s time for Braves to end the Kawakami experiment
Bobby Cox took the ball from Kenshin Kawakami Sunday -- but why give it back?
So I stood by Bobby Cox Sunday when he said he didn’t want to talk about any future decisions regarding Kenshin Kawakami, though he added, “He’ll make his next start.” Why? By default. Jair Jurrjens has at least another week of rehab left.
And then I stood by Kenshin Kawakami as he deflected no criticism (a commendable character trait of his) and said of possibly losing his starting job: “I haven’t thought about that much. But being a starter, I’m not really doing my job right now, so I’m ready for anything that is coming.”
Loading ...Kawakami is baseball’s only $23 million fifth starter. He also has the distinction of being 0-9 for a first-place team. Only three other pitchers in the majors have lost as many games: Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez (3-10), Cleveland’s David Huff (2-9) and former Brave, now of Pittsburgh, Charlie Morton (1-9).
The Indians are in last place. The Pirates are in last place. The Astros are one-half game ahead of the Pirates. See where I’m going with this?
Yes, Kawakami has received little run support in some starts but that hasn’t really been the case of late. He was handed a 4-0 lead Sunday against Kansas City and promptly doused it with gasoline and lit a match to it. He also committed his third error in his last two starts.
Further — and this is where all of those, “Oh, stop picking on him, meanie; don’t you know the Braves don’t score for him?” arguments fall apart — Kawakami’s ERA is 4.78.
Once again, because some of his defenders ignore this number: 4.78. That is the worst ERA on the staff among active pitchers, save reliever Jesse Chavez (7.33), who doesn’t really count. Kawakami also is yielding the most hits per nine innings (10.2), has allowed the most home runs (nine) and, it follows, the highest slugging percentage (.478).
Stop the madness.
If Jurrjens is cleared following his next start at Gwinnett, this should be an easy decision for Cox: Keep Kris Medlen (3-0, 3.67 as a starter) in the rotation and put Kawakami in the bullpen. Granted, middle relief is not what general manager Frank Wren projected when he gave Kawakami a contract for over $7 million per year. But Kawakami has shown an ability to strike people out. So maybe there’s something to salvage from this.
Think of it as salvaging the rear bumper after a front-end collision.
I can pretty much guess which way sentiment is going on this. I’ve got a poll up also. Let me hear ya.
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495 comments Add your comment
MitchFarted
June 21st, 2010
1:53 pm
I say send KK to AA and let the Mississippi marketing department figure out a “Kawasaki – Kawakami” night promotional. You know those guys in MS love them some 4-wheelers.
MitchFarted
June 21st, 2010
1:56 pm
Just for the record, I just copyrighted the idea of Kawasaki – Kawakami” promo night. So if MS Braves want to entertain the fabulous idea, please trace my IP back to a real email address and lets discuss details. I suggest they give away a 4 wheeler for every game that Kawakami wins. That should keep it cheap.
Tee
June 21st, 2010
1:56 pm
Chipper to retire at the end of the season and get some of that KK 7 million back and that’s close to 20 million to go after Longoria the 3rd baseman of the future. We still need to address the left field spot in the off season. Love Hinske but not as a full timer.
raffy
June 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
Trade KK for Strasburg and a player to be named later.
joe
June 21st, 2010
1:59 pm
KK is to starting pitching what Greg Norton was to pinch hitting…
Baseballbuff
June 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
I have had my doubts that Kawakami is truly a major-league pitcher. At the very least he needs a change of scenery. The big contract is a problem. Without it, the Braves would be justified in releasing him now.
LizDawg
June 21st, 2010
2:01 pm
Kawakami is to baseball as Coach Paul Johnson is to bowl games. Can’t win to save his life!
Pi$$onaJacket
June 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
Let KK go today! How can you not see how bad he is? I could have saved the Braves millions of dollars if they had just listened to me.
Please insert Medlen in his place when JJ comes back.
FIRE KK TODAY!
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
Marlins 2 bottom starters – 4.39 & 4.90; Mets have two over 6. Phillies – they have an almost 50 y/o w/ a 4.76 ERA and another at 6.96. The Nats have 3 starters above KK’s era. The cardinals have a starter at 5.89 but other than that, they are stacked at pitching. Padres have a guy at 5.27 but otherwise stacked. Everybody but one in the reds rotation is over 4. Giants have one guy over 5. The dodgers do not have a solid 5th starter.
I know those pesky stats get in the way sometimes but they are typically good indicators. I really don’t have time to research this but I bet the pitchers who go against Lowe have better ERA’s than the pitchers that throw against KK.
Mr. Holmes
June 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
Tee, I like that plan. I agree with Hinske off the bench. Hinske = Vinnie “Microwave” Johnson.
We’re gonna have to pay Prado soon. Don’t know when his contract is up but he’s in his fifth year and I’d like someone to show me a better 2B in the NL. Dude is just a baller.
Assuming Chipper comes around a little this season (and I still think he will), I wonder if he’d consider coming back as a player-coach. You never see those anymore, but it strikes me as a role tailor made for him. He could come off the bench & pinch hit, play some 3rd/OF/1st, and be a huge clubhouse help in the transition year to the new manager.
Scoots
June 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
I think don’t give up on KK completely. Maybe send him down to AAA for a while to work out his kinks and get the pressure off him for a bit. I realize he’s been horrible from time to time, but he’s also had some good starts that ended in no-decisions. He’s clearly got some skills, and better to hone them at Gwinnett’s expense rather than Atlanta’s.
Dumbo
June 21st, 2010
2:05 pm
Bonsai!
Cleve
June 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Send to the bullpen. He’s good for one trip through a lineup, after that, let the games begin.
Marc
June 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Navigator and who would you have replace Bobby?
Justin Full Smoak
June 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Mr. Schultz, I agree he hasn’t been great, but your argument regarding ERA is not as strong as you believe. First, Lowe has a 4.77 ERA, which is just a fraction better than Kawakami’s. If KK had the run support Lowe has been given, he’d probably have 3 wins. Second, Lowe’s WHIP is not far ahead of KK’s. I will agree with you on one point – KK needs to be moved to the bullpen when Jurrjens returns. But I don’t agree with your all-out assault on KK, which has been a running theme of yours for at least a month now. It’s almost like you have to find something to criticize about the Braves, or most likely, about Frank Wren.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
I am aware that ERA is not the only thing. KK and Lowe are pretty much even in all peripheral stats, even with KK getting hammered yesterday.
MitchFarted – I appreciate your comment but I actually have the opposite feeling regarding Lowe/KK.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Listen here LizDawg – I’m tired of you leghumpers running your trap about GT’s inablity to score in bowl games.
Why don’t you drive down here to the BP near N. Peachtree & 285 and I’ll punch you right in the other!
You have NO right to bring up football on a baseball thread!
josh anderson
June 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
OLd Shourholtz needs a new set of brains. give KK his job so John can write more books about how great he is
J Weihrauch
June 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
Tee – I have to disagree. Not only is Hinske a great third outfielder, he has given us clutch at bat after clutch at bat. He’s the good luck charm for sure. No one could have thought he would produce like he has. With BC platooning out in left field (Diaz/Hinske), no one can ever get in a rhythm. I really think money should stay put and keep Hinske.
As far as Medlin, this is a no brainer. He remains in the rotation to be our fifth starter. I can’t believe I am saying a guy that has pitched nearly lights out should stay as our FIFTH starter but we have that great of a pitching staff.
Glaus is the best present of the year. The guy is a freak of nature. I am fine with taking a chance on resigning him as long as it doesn’t keep us from getting a solid first baseman. Let’s not forget about Freeman in the minors. He hasn’t exactly tore it up like in years past but the guy can flat out hit. He’ll get it together.
We are only 1.5 games out from having the best MLB record, let’s go get em Braves!
J Weihrauch
June 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
Solid THIRD baseman that is.
Ctstyle
June 21st, 2010
2:13 pm
Why is everyone so hard on KK. He has already thrown a perfect game this year, so get off his back.
PS: The perfect game was in a video game, where the gamer got $1,000,000 to throw a perfect game. He used KK to throw it.
Chuck
June 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
If KK starts over Kris Medlin, Braves fans will have a collective meltdown.
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
KK-san….YOOOOOOU stay FOCUSED!
CanHewitt
June 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
It’s nice that the biggest problem of the team is a pitcher with 4.78 ERA. Sure, he’s a below average pitcher but he’s not as bad as Jeff Schultz and others makes him out to be. They should switch him with Lowe or someone else and see if he can get some run support and get a win. If that doesn’t work either, they need to move him to the bullpen. He’s signed though next year. I think everyone wants him to work it out. No one wants him to be a $8 mil reliever.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Fire Frank Wren — So that’s what it took to tip you over from agnostic? Haha.
josh anderson
June 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Trade J. Schafer,J Anderson. and Nate McLouth for a real Center Fielder
and throw in G Blanco , J Chaves And KK
. Get rid of these guys they are taking roster space and playing time
thet our young players need
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
Navigator — Did it mean something to you that Cox took out KK in the third inning?
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
Athdog — I like popcorn. And lamp.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
Gaga — I hear ya, dude.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
Gdawginkalamazoo — I’ll give him your number.
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
Jeff RETURNS!!! WOOOHOOO!! Missed ya buddy!
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
Herschel — they won’t release him, certainly not during the season.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
Casey Hobson — The ERA was just to counter arguments that this guy has been, like, unjustly persecuted. I’m certainly not going to defend Lowe.
Deborah
June 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
Thanks for the article. It is time. We are Atlanta fans. We are generally patient and generous with our boys. Kenshin is a good guy. He simply isn’t doing his job well. Kris Medlen has earned his shot to be in the starting rotation. You can almost feel a palpable difference with the Braves in the last few days. Like Bobby has actually realized that this is really the last time he will be in a position to win as a manager. He is making more in the moment (aka gutsy) moves. (squeeze bunts anyone?). I think a larger percentage of the fans are being more vocal in their comments on twitter, message boards, talking chop, ajc, etc. Instead of letting the usual trolls do most of the snarking, the larger fanbase is getting on and sharing their opinions and making their views known. I know I have. We can sense that this team has REAL possibilities. You guys who cover the Braves also like to see the lineup that gives the best possibility of winning. With hearing that we resigned Josh Anderson, there is even a glimmer of hope that Nate will remain on the bench and not in the lineup
With Kris, Jair, Derek, Tim, and Tommy as our starters, the rest of the season looks ripe with possibilities.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Tommy — Good point about Lowe. At least he has a resume, even if that was a bad contract the Braves gave him.
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
What is worth more? The balance of KK’s contract or the people who will stop coming when he pitches….or the wins we cost ourselves…..hmmmm…decisions, decisions…
82Dawg
June 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Just waiting on JJ to return
Peter
June 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
KK has shown to be very inconsistent…….I would send him to AAA and have him work on his game, and develop confidence.
Anything can happen in baseball, and at any time a starter could get hurt……… throwing him to the curb is not smart currently.
meh
June 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
KK has had 6 quality starts (6IP, 3 or less earned runs) out of 14 starts. so basically,he doesn’t suck all the time. he should be like
3-6 if he had better run support. still not worth the $23 million contract but he’s not as terrible as Mr. Shultz would have you believe. That being said I think he should be moved to the bullpen. I think Medlen has earned the opportunity to keep startin when JJ returns.
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
Justin — asked and answered.
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
IF KK stays in the rotation this is just another example of outsourcing a job to a Japanese contributor.
Reid Adair
June 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
Be careful, Jeff. There are those, as hard as it is to believe, who think Kenshin Kawakami is better than Kris Medlen and Derek Lowe. I’m not kidding.
As you said, this “experiment” should be over. For $23 million, a 7-28 record with an ERA over 4.00 is an absolute failure.
Mr. Holmes
June 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
LOUD NOISES
J Wood
June 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
KK is obviously a “head case” who likely has talent. He has pitched some very good games & obviously had a good track record b4 Braves picked him up. To his credit, he makes no excuses. To the bullpen & lots of sessions with a psychologist. Didn’t Smoltz have a good one?
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:22 pm
mcLouth — It’s only been, what, a few hours?
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
Maybe we can help KK if we all bring those stupid horns they are blowing in South Africa every time he pitches. It could drive the other team crazy while they are hitting. Anyone? Anyone?
bravos fan
June 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
i’m pretty sure he knows he hasn’t done well… to say the least. i move to the bullpen could help him and the team… but do we really need to call him a “disgrace.” he’s obviously trying his best. he has a good attitude about the situation. he’s taking the blame… not pointing at his starts where he has diserved a win and not received one due to lack of offense. give the guy a break and hope that he we can keep our starters healthy, move him to the pen, and he can be a solid long relief guy.
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
Jeff a few hours without you is like an 11 game road trip for the Braves. Long, frustrating, and very lonely.
fan man
June 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
We are stuck with KK.Bobby will march him out in lopsided games to mop up and if doesn’t show signs of improvement that will be it.Down the stretch somebody may get desperate and take him and some of his money. I’ve seen teams get stupid when they think they got a chance.
bruce
June 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
where does KK rank on quality starts?