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 $7 million per year. But Kawakami has shown an ability to strike people out. So maybe there’s something to salvage from this.
Think of it as salvaging the rear bumper after a front-end collision.
I can pretty much guess which way sentiment is going on this. I’ve got a poll up also. Let me hear ya.
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495 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
June 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
Reid — Careful is my middle name. Right.
Medlin
June 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
I think MLB as a whole should re-think how they look at Asia Pacific ball players, especially pitchers. Japan baseball league’s are not as tough as the MLB GM think they are. 7m$ a yr WTF.
Joe in Qatar
June 21st, 2010
2:26 pm
For Navigator: “Not unless the top management cuts or trades him, as BCox will just keep running him out there. He did that with guys hitting less than their own weight (still does).”
And those guys that Bobby stuck with are now leading the NL in RBI (Glaus); hitting .500 over the past week (Chipper); Even Melky is over .250.
Smack
June 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
I like when the Braves are winning, you actually write good articles about the Braves Jeff! I agree, this is an experiment gone bad. Hopefully they will create a phantom injury next week when JJ comes back, DL him, and let him work his way back, back to the bullpen that is. His days in the rotation need to be over.
NickGranite
June 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
Why would I want to place a guy with the stats you cited in the bullpen? The only time he would come in handy is in long relief with the braves on the downside of a blow out. I don’t trust him in any other situation. Since those blow outs would generally only happen when he’s pitching anyway, the point is moot. Wren has picked up some points with some of his aquisitions, he’s just going to have to take the hit on this one and send him down to Gwinnet in standby in case we have some injuries.
Bob Horners Broken Wrist
June 21st, 2010
2:29 pm
I’m all for taking him out of the rotation but for you morons that think KK is a bust or a bad pitcher….well you obviously haven’t watched him pitch much this year. Granted, when the guy gets hit he gets hit hard, but for all the times he gets touched for 4 in two innings he has gone 6 or 7 innings giving up 2 or 3 runs and twice as many times at that. The guy is a good pticher, he just has lousy luck and he probably is trying to be too fine on his pitches. A stint in the bullpen will help him. He won’t feel the pressure to get the monkey off his back every time he pitches because he’ll only be getting work when the Braves are getting waxed or late in the game when they are up big.
Somebody else will go down sooner or later and we will need KK to come in and throw some meaningful innings, and I think he can do it.
cooper
June 21st, 2010
2:29 pm
I didn’t think Kawakami was good enough to be a starter in the United States. The strike zone is smaller in the US verses Japan. A lot of Japanese pitchers have trouble throwing strikes unless they have over powering stuff.
Melky way
June 21st, 2010
2:29 pm
Maybe KK needs a new translator? Just kidding He just will have to go!
Trey
June 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
Schultz – Amazing article. I have noticed how folks defend him and say W-L records mean nothing. They fail to see how high his ERA is, which means he gives up at least four earned runs a game. W-L record does mean something if you give up four or more runs a game. Thank you for pointing everything out today, Schultz. Maybe he or the Braves management will read your article and do something about KK, like put him in the bull pen or down to Gwinnett, maybe?
randyh
June 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
bringing our kids over to the ted on saturday……please let anyone pitch besides kk….bring up minor for a start against the tigers……
mclOUTh
June 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
He can come over to my place and work on muscle memory….wax on…wax off….sand the floor….paint the fence…..Give me 6 weeks with him and he will be good to go!
RGP
June 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
Send KK down to AA or A to pitch. He might be ok there.
Melky way
June 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
Cooper what you said may be true, he walks very few batters his pitches just seem to be hittable
Trey
June 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
Bob Horners Broken Wrist – You seem to be the only moron on this blog as you continue to defend KK. A good pitcher does not constantly get roughed up each game, nor do they have a high ERA. That’s why he can win, because he can’t locate pitches. He can’t get victories, because he can not hold leads that we give him, proof was yesterday’s game.
BUBBA GUMP
June 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
KK makes too much Green……………….Can we get anything for him?
Wes
June 21st, 2010
2:35 pm
Also not defending Lowe — but Lowe’s starts have, for the most part, got progressively better this season. KK have gone right down the crapper
YoAdrian
June 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
“We are not making any decisions right now, He’s got another start to go before we have to do something. … For the first time since he’s been with us, he just didn’t have it.” – BOBBY COX
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA “For the first time since he’s been with us, he just didn’t have it” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Really?
I know the guy lacks run support at times, but COME ON MAN!
Steve
June 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Lowe cannot be compared to KK. Lowe doesn’t make errors thereby keeping his ERA artifically low, while KK can’t seem to do the simplst of fielding tasks. Lowe also gets down bunts (which Kawakami has failed to do at least twice in his last few starts). Lowe can occasionally get a hit and drive in a run. Lowe wins more with a similar ERA than Kawakami because of those sort of things, which make him a better all around player.
Now, I still think KK has some stuff in him. Maybe a little bullpen stint wouldn’t hurt. It sure helped to get Medlen past his initial jitters. Let’s look at it this way .. don’t plan on using KK for 2 days before Jurrgens starts and then have him slated to come in at 5 innings for JJ. We don’t want to overwork JJ yet until he is ready to go, and KK can take some of those innings. That would save the rest of the bullpes arms as well.
And yes, other teams do need pitching, but with his contract, we aren’t going to be able to get much for him. Far less than what he is worth most likely. Think Soriano for Chavez and you have an idea of what we might get for KK in a desparation move. I am thinking we might not be able ot even get ‘GDawgInKalamazoo’ and his 64mph fastball for him.
Medlin
June 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Cooper I agree with you man. KK just dont seem to have the stuff to get MLB hitters out.
Chip Shot
June 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
will schafer be called up for the series vs white sox?
MitchFarted
June 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
Maybe we can get AJC to hire KK to write editorials. I would trade KK for Cynthia Tucker if that would get her BS out of the paper. I’d let her pitch next we were in Arizona, that way she could explain her views on why all the illegals deserve to go to US colleges.
FUZZUP
June 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
No comment.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
The average ERA of pitchers Lowe has faced is 4.97. The average for KK is 3.54. And one of you says the team plays better with Lowe. Could it possibly be that the opposing pitcher is better with KK? Nope, another one of those pesky stats.
KK had gotten progressively better until yesterday.
Reality 4
June 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
As others have noted Medlen EARNED #5 spot, and KK goes to the pen for now. However, I don’t agree with others who seem to argue that KK is worthless. When JJ comes back, do we send Martinez down or release KK? What happens someone (starter or reliever) gets injured? Do we have anyone else? I agree that KK makes a lot of money to be a long man, but there is nothing we can do about the contract. Every team has those situations from time to time.
Whatever happened to Proctor (was that his name?)? I don’t think we can have too many pitchers. I would like Kimbrel to get more consistent opportunities to pitch this season. He will be needed next year – either as THE closer, or a set-up man.
Medlin
June 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
How do you think this pitching staff would perform if Leo were still managing it. Not to say that Roger hasnt done a good job.
I Love You Big Balls
June 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
Trade KK and McClouth along with a minor league prospect or two to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee. Seattle needs pitching and since their season is a wash, Lee is definitely on the block. He would give us a left handed starter with recent post season experience. Plus, if the Phillies make another run, he certainly would love to get back at them for their sudden trade this off season.
Erin
June 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
Jeff
Good point on Bobby taking him out yesterday in the 3rd. When I saw BC walking out of the dugout, I immediately thought that it was a telling sign of having little confidence in KK to stop the bleeding and that he probably wouldn’t be long for the rotation. Seems like there have been too many instances of someone like Lowe being left in too long and giving up huge amount of runs, but Bobby won’t take him out.
Very telling, I thought, that Bobby came to rescue KK so early.
And personally, I feel really bad for KK, because he’s not being a jerk about it and he really seems to want to do well for the team.
vermont 39
June 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Why do I feel that a BC bash is hiding in the woods…even worse…I agree with this article…I am worried!!!
CanHewitt
June 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Trey, I don’t think ones who are “defending” him are not saying W-L records mean nothing. His ERA is 4.78 and Braves score 4.9 runs a game. He should have won some games. But I think they have scored less than 3 runs on average in games he started, and under 2 runs while he’s still pitching. He hasn’t been particularly great but he’s had some unusual tough luck this year. 3 starts ago, he gave up no run in 6 innings but still got no decision. Switch him with Lowe and Kawakami would have had 5 or 6 wins. Again, he’s no better than Lowe or Medlen. He’s just not the worst pitcher in the league. At $8 mil per, Braves have every intention to make him work it out. But with Jurjjens coming back, they don’t have much time.
ATL Fan
June 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
I like KK and think he is good for this team. Unfortunately, he seems to always have the pitching equivilant of “warning-track” power. He appears to always be just a little worse than whoever is pitching. Maybe Smoltzie could help him with the mental aspect of the game.
This “experiment” is our first with a Japanese player, and I think it sets a precedent in the minds of our Japanese baseball counterparts. How we treat KK will be remembered.
With JJ coming back, it makes most sense to send KK to the bullpen and keep the youngsters in the rotation. KK will be able to adapt to that role easier, and without the negatives that could impact the other pitchers. On the contrary, i think it could improve KK’s focus.
Wes
June 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Also – don’t forget the number of unearned runs KK has given up on errors HE made. Just one more thing you can’t say about Lowe.
MJinATL
June 21st, 2010
2:43 pm
If I’m Cox I keep KK and Medlen as starters. I use KK as the sixth starter that way he is able to eat the innings of your four best starters during the season and have them primed for the playoffs: Hanson, Medlen, Hudson, and Jurjens. The reason you save innings is for several reasons. First Hanson and Medlen have yet to throw 150 innings at the major league level in a single season both will surpass that easily. Hudson although he is an ace again remember he is still coming off of Tommy John surgery. Jurjens, however, does not need to have his innings limited he needs the work.
wiki
June 21st, 2010
2:43 pm
The difference between Lowe and Kawakami is that Lowe knows how to pitch with a lead and without good stuff…….damage control. Hence the record. Kawakami doesn’t get that IMO…..I know he hasn’t pitched much with a lead but he had a shot yesterday against a bad team.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
How many of you watched the game yesterday? Unfortunately, KK didn’t have it. His fast ball was flat and he was hanging curves. Bobby saw it and yanked him. This happens to every pitcher.
MJinATL
June 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Lowe on the other hand should at seasons end pitch more innings than any starter on this team. With a dead arm his sinker will be devastating during the playoffs.
MitchFarted
June 21st, 2010
2:45 pm
Mitch Farted
Trey
June 21st, 2010
2:46 pm
CanHewitt – There are actually people that say his W-L ratio does not mean he is a bad pitcher. It kind of does. He unfortunately is a bad pitcher and he is too expensive.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:46 pm
Wiki – I guess it has nothing to do with Lowe going up against worse pitchers than KK? On average the pitcher Lowe faces is 1.5 runs worse than the pitchers KK is facing.
DMac
June 21st, 2010
2:46 pm
Jeff, Thank you for taking the sensible position. Your article was like a breath of fresh air.
GTSteve
June 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
6 man rotation would be bold decision, and it just might work
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
If you put Tommy Hanson against Jiminez 10 times, Hanson will have a losing record. It doesn’t mean Tommy is a bad pitcher.
Wes
June 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
techman – can I have some of what you’re smoking? Lowe is our 1 and started opening day meaning he lines up with everyone else’s 1.
Nate McLouth
June 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
i suck
Wes
June 21st, 2010
2:51 pm
no but if you put him up against Kyle Davies it does
southern hope
June 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
well first of all, why do the Braves need a day off? Don’t they know that i”m jones’ing for another game…I don’t want to wait until Tuesday.
2nd of all, what in the heck is an “ammonia towel” as Hinske referred to yesterday? (he said that the players were using “ammonia towels” the whole game)
3rd, just to stay on topic. KK = Bad. Got it.
Reality 4
June 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
I like a 6-man rotation idea. We do need to keep in mind that Medlen, JJ, and Hanson are still very young. If we can keep their innings down a bit, that would be good. A part of the issue with KK may be the fact that he wasn’t (ans still isn’t, perhaps) used to going every 5-day.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
actually it doesn’t due to off days and pitchers missing starts. I just went through each start for both Lowe and KK. The ERA for Lowe’s opponents is 4.97 and it’s 3.54 for KK. Feel free to check for yourself.
JSS
June 21st, 2010
2:53 pm
Reid Adair and By The Lake are right, with the exception of John Smoltz in the first half of 1991 (2-11) and Albie Lopez, KK is no where as bad as they were! At least the Braves have 2 of the last 4 starts he made! Back off Kawakami!!!
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:54 pm
Lowe’s ERA is lower than 7 pitchers he has faced. KK’s ERA is lower than 3 pitchers he has faced. Yet Lowe and KK have almost identical ERA’s. The W-L record isn’t that hard to understand.
Techman
June 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
Mitch- I worry about your stomach.