Kawakami arrives at Braves camp — and why is he here? (updated)
Kenshin Kawakami was back at Camp Braves Wednesday -- for some inexplicable reason.
(UPDATED: 11:40 a.m. with comments from general manager Frank Wren.)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — More than two weeks after pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, Kenshin Kawakami – along with a translator and about 10 trailing members of the Japanese media — finally made it into Braves camp Wednesday.
Question: Why?
Given Kawakami’s extended absence and the fact he’s coming back to a team that clearly doesn’t want him, he deserves some credit for spinning this one-liner: “It feels like I was in elementary school, I was sick the whole time and then I came back.”
But he shouldn’t be here. That’s less a knock on Kawakami than it is the Braves. They created an unnecessary distraction by bringing the pitcher to their camp after taking him off their 40-man roster in November and spending the entire offseason trying to trade him.
The belief is that Braves general manager Frank Wren was hoping Kawakami would either sign back with a Japanese team (which didn’t interest the pitcher) or he could entice another team into picking up a significant chunk (maybe half) of the remaining $6.67 million on his contract. Neither has occurred. That means Wren now has to wait for Kawakami to get in shape, pitch some games and impress other teams, assuming other teams have a need created by injuries or other pitchers fizzling.
In the meantime, the Braves have a relatively high-profile player in camp who logically will not be on the team this season. Is this really worth it?
When asked about the situation, Kawakami, always pleasant and polite, responded through a translator: “There’s not much I can do about that. It’s about this year. Honestly, I did have some doubts [I would be back].”
Does he feel it’s only a matter of time before he’s traded?
“With other teams, that’s not even in my mind right now. Since I’m here with the team I have to try to prove myself. … It [the future] is something I am a little worried about. But I just need to pitch my best.”
Wren said he’s not concerned about any distraction issues because Kawakami doesn’t draw attention to himself. He likened the situation to last year, when the team attempted to trade Derek Lowe. “If there’s any disruption, it’s between K.K. and the club, not K.K. and his teammates, just like there was no problem between Derek Lowe and his teammates last year [after the team attempted to deal Lowe.”
As for Kawakami’s future, he acknowledged that the Braves have pitching depth and, “It may mean we trade him, but we haven’t found the right match yet.”
Kawakami signed a three-year, $23 million contract in 2009. He has a record of 8-22 and a 4.32 ERA to show for it. He lost his first nine decisions last season before beating the Detroit Tigers (one earned run in seven innings) but was sent to the bullpen, then to Gwinnett. Nobody expected he would be back with the Braves this season.
Kawakami admitted family members, most notably his mother, tried to talk him out of coming back. But he said his friends told him to return “and prove what you’re able to be.”
When asked if he felt this was an “unfair” situation, he responded: “I just didn’t have it last year. I don’t think it’s unfair at all. I feel it’s a new year and I don’t want to look back at last year. Just in general I wasn’t able to give quality starts and quality pitching for my team.”
When Kawakami walked into the dugout, he was given an ovation from his teammates. When someone yelled speech, he responded, “No speech.” In the clubhouse, he was greeted by Lowe, who later joked: “We had to send Brett Favre to go get him.”
Kawakami isn’t on the Favre level of distractions. But it could’ve been avoided.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Last few posts from Braves’ camp
– Braves need McLouth or Schafer to end looniness in center
– ESPN’s Buster Olney: Braves may beat out Phillies in East
– Braves’ Lee Elia knows hitting (and what not to say anymore)
– Chipper Jones gets hit in return and takes a swing at critics
♦
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145 comments Add your comment
Keith
March 2nd, 2011
12:07 pm
Loved the Lowe line…and the alliteration that I just thought of.
GO BRAVES!
south georgia braves
March 2nd, 2011
12:10 pm
As stated above, KK stats from last year aren’t that bad…except his W-L. For whatever reason, he was snake-bit last year. Almost no run support and no blowouts.
He is in the same boat as McLouth so treat him the same as Nate and give him a shot.
Bartman
March 2nd, 2011
12:13 pm
Agreed Braves Fan.
As I have said before, he writes for the controversy of it. There must be something else he can cover other than the Braves. Isn’t there a Home & Garden meeting going on somewhere. They need the controversy. Grab a clue JS. Let it play out. I don’t think this is going to split the dugout or anything. (eyes rolling, head shaking)
ArkyTech
March 2nd, 2011
12:15 pm
Another column which criticizes but offers up no solution. This is what drives me nuts about so many sports columnists.
ATLfan15
March 2nd, 2011
12:16 pm
if he had gotten ANY run support last year, maybe that W-L record wouldn’t look so dang bad. just give it your best shot KK…and thanks for showing up to ST with a good attitude about the whole thing.
always high
March 2nd, 2011
12:16 pm
The tender, beautiful flower has wilted. May he be carefully cultivated, and bloom gloriously again in the Land of the Rising Sun.
t3chap
March 2nd, 2011
12:16 pm
While his win/loss record isn’t that great (ok it’s terrible), he hasn’t pitched all that poorly. His ERA is comparable to Lowe and certainly to the other guy who pitched for Arizona last year(name escapes me at the moment). He has a great attitude DESPITE that poor way that he has been treated. Give him a chance. The occasion of a new manager is a chance to have a fresh start for him. Unless it was sarcastic applause (and if it was, I’m sure the AJC would be hyping this up), it appears his teammates appreciate him on some level. I love the Braves, but I think they have treated KK poorly.
No matter how bad he is, he’s got to be better than Proctor.
5150 UOAD
March 2nd, 2011
12:27 pm
This is why players should only be paid based on their last year of play. There are too many guys making Mad Money that have no reason making it.
KK
March 2nd, 2011
12:29 pm
KK got NO RUN SUPPORT
He deserves better.. make JS has a hatred for Japanese ballplayers
GoBraves!
March 2nd, 2011
12:29 pm
bravofan, yes. I meant Mike Minor. He pitched 40.2 innings and had an ERA of 5.98 last year. I wouldn’t call that pitching better than Kawakami for the most part. He had a couple of good starts at first but soon hitters figured him out. Obviously, he has a lot of potential but he’s only 23. He needs some time to become consistently good.
GoBraves!
March 2nd, 2011
12:32 pm
It’s simply nothing to lose at this point. Braves front office and many others are already assuming he’s a sunk cost. Let him pitch in ST and see what he brings. It’s a brand new season. If he could be at least decent, some team may want him to be their 5th starter. If not, he gave it a shot.
Why
March 2nd, 2011
12:33 pm
McOut hits under .200 and he is battling for CF spot
KK has a decent ERA and no run support and he is the worse pitcher in years??
KK is a very good pitcher.
Braves Grrrl
March 2nd, 2011
12:34 pm
ATLfan15 – Well said. I wish good things for him wherever he ends up.
Lonhorn
March 2nd, 2011
12:37 pm
KK is a much better pitcher than people give him credit for. Character wise he stands up to anyone. There is a reason why an entire country follows his every move. We are lucky to have him. He is the type of person the Braves should want to be associated with. Yeah his record sucked last year, but he threw against many teams number one’s and got no run support or defense behind him. I predict a good year for him and I hope we resign him. I want my son to look up to a guy like this instead of an adulterer third baseman.
Geaux Braves
March 2nd, 2011
12:40 pm
Lay off the guy Shultz. He has handled his underperformance and criticism like a pro. I say let him compete. He may just prove to be valuable in the pen.
south georgia braves
March 2nd, 2011
12:40 pm
Kenshin Kawakami averaged a meager 1.94 runs of support in innings pitched (not support/9). The bottom line is that no pitcher can expect to regularly win without borderline flawless stuff, with that little support. KK averaged 5.1 IP per outing over his 16 starts. – From talkingchop.com
Remember all those comeback wins last year in the seventh inning on? KK was in the showers when that was going on. For the season, the Braves scored almost 2 runs (on average) a game AFTER the 7th.
Anyway, what’s wrong with a little comp for the 5th spot?
Lum
March 2nd, 2011
12:40 pm
He hasn’t been the same since he get hit in the head by a batted ball in the Yankee game in 2009.
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER
March 2nd, 2011
12:44 pm
Think KK showed a lot of class in how he answered the questions….Took the blame for everything bad that has happened to him….He might get in a groove and help somebody, although it doesn’t look like it will be the Braves….Kudos for the class, KK….
justin1
March 2nd, 2011
12:45 pm
What Atlanta radio station has the game today????????????????????
Chris White
March 2nd, 2011
12:45 pm
I agree with the fact that he received little to no run support.
Reggie
March 2nd, 2011
12:46 pm
And first?
Never really understood the significance of that.
Never competed for anyting then, Doc, huh? Not even a race on the playground?
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER
March 2nd, 2011
12:46 pm
SCHULTZIE, YOU PILING ON AGAIN, DUDE….15 YARD PENALTY, COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY…HE’S GOT ENOUGH MONEY TO SHIP ME AND YOU BOTH AROUND THE WORLD….
justin1
March 2nd, 2011
12:47 pm
What Atlanta radio station has the game today???????????????????
ernisTbass
March 2nd, 2011
12:49 pm
KK was just as strong a pitcher as McClouth was at CF last year and though most wish there were more options at CF there isn’t many questions as to why is McClouth here. They both will be paid regardless so let’s see what they got this year and hope for the best. Gunga Kalunga
Stan
March 2nd, 2011
12:50 pm
let him compete for a bullpen spot
we know he is over paid..but he may be a good 6th or 7th inning guy
or long releif..
justin1
March 2nd, 2011
12:51 pm
WHAT ATLANTA RADIO STATION HAS THE GAME TODAY?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
south georgia braves
March 2nd, 2011
12:52 pm
Sergeant Schultz – “I know nothing”.
Jeff is only writting about the feelings of alot of Braves fans.
Un-informed fans that base their opinons on W-L only.
lazydawg
March 2nd, 2011
12:53 pm
He seems like a class act, I will be pulling for this guy.
USAF92
March 2nd, 2011
12:55 pm
Whether or not KK pitches well now that he has arrived in camp, there just doesn’t appear to be any room on the staff or, for that matter, plans to make room for him on the staff. Plus, he’s not going to get a fair shake from with the team or the fans given his 2-years of disappointing results.
So, give the guy a chance at a fresh start by making a trade where another team eats some of his salary. Even if a team would be willing to take on a small chunk of the salart would be better than the Braves having pay KK to be a pricey minor leaguer.
Given the news coming out the Cardinals camp lately, it sounds like a call to Mr. LaRussa would be in order.
Smoltzie
March 2nd, 2011
1:05 pm
Relax….Who knows, maybe he throws lights out this year! Ya just never know in baseball. GO FOR IT KK!
jfreak13713
March 2nd, 2011
1:15 pm
Good for him taking credit for last season but he should not be there now. Its clear the team has moved on and there is no place for him on the pitching staff. I hope he gets a chance and makes the best of it but it won’t be with the Braves.
And he is not in the same position as McLouth! First, Nate has proven in the past he could produce at this level. Second, the Braves don’t have a replacement for Nate. KK has not produced at this level and the Braves have a deep pitching staff. I wish KK well and truly hope he has a good season and proves himself but its not going to happen here and it shouldn’t at this point.
Joshua
March 2nd, 2011
1:17 pm
Schultz, JUST STOP POSTING BLOGS.
BravesFan
March 2nd, 2011
1:18 pm
The Florida sun must be getting to that bald head of Mr. Schultz, this isn’t worth writing about, at least not with the angle of it being a distraction to the rest of the Braves. It’s pretty clear the guys LIKE KK and if he’s that big of a problem they’d say so. KK isn’t John Rocker.. let’s cut the guy a break and let him compete. KK’s failure last year was no better or worse than “Sunshine” McClouth who was horrible last year, yet he’s in Braves camp getting praise for his determination to play better.
realistic
March 2nd, 2011
1:24 pm
A bigger why than “why is he here” is “why would this be a distraction”?? He is not endanger of taking anyone’s job, he’s not a high profile player, he’s a non factor that they haven’t figured out how to get rid of.
yearofthedawg
March 2nd, 2011
1:26 pm
Jeff-
I’m guessing the translator didn’t accurately relay his response. I’m betting what Kawakami actually said was more like
“Hey bonehead, do you realize you cost me a fortune on those lousy Weekend Predictions?”
TommyP
March 2nd, 2011
1:32 pm
LOL Kawakami is NOT a distraction. Why is he a distraction????
He’s here because the Braves haven’t found a trade partner. Once pitchers go down to injury in March, we’ll be able to find him a destination.
redeye
March 2nd, 2011
1:34 pm
Frank Rentum has wasted a lot more than 6 or 7 million dollars on some other washed-up, never that good to begin with so-called players. Kind of like when your car tears-up and you go to a junkyard looking for a new part, you get what you pay for and hope it works.
Mark's for the Braves
March 2nd, 2011
1:36 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if KK had a great spring and we kept him? He might even crack the rotation if we had an injury. Stranger things have happened.
Bubba
March 2nd, 2011
1:42 pm
I expect him to make the team, have a decent season, and ask for an extension. If any other GM shows interest in him along the way, it will be interesting to see how Wren reacts.
Steve
March 2nd, 2011
1:44 pm
KK is just proof that no matter good they were in Japan they still have to come to the MLB and prove how good they are. I think it is just crazy for these American ball clubs to continue to over pay for these Japanese starts until they earn it.
bob
March 2nd, 2011
1:49 pm
You have to pay him anyway, so you might as well let him try to earn his way on the team.
KK
March 2nd, 2011
1:50 pm
I’m glad you guys missed me, I’m here to takeover as the #5 starter.
It took me 2 wks to get back because I didn’t have enough for plane fare.
ChillyMutt
March 2nd, 2011
1:52 pm
Maybe the Braves can package him up with Brooks Conrad.
Joe
March 2nd, 2011
1:58 pm
I do believe KK was awful last year and I really wish we were able to trade him, but since he’s not gone, he has more than a right to compete for a spot… hell, we still have mclousy here competing too dont we? KK is a classy guy for taking responsibility tho, ill give him that.
Skeezix
March 2nd, 2011
1:59 pm
Was a bad decision by FW in the beginning (to sign him and pay him so much) and it still lingers on today. Some times you just have to admit a mistake, take the hit and move on.
Hanshin Tigers
March 2nd, 2011
2:00 pm
We never have too much pitching – ok, so, that’s a cliche, but I think it is true. KK IS a major league pitcher. Give him a chance.
BravesFan67
March 2nd, 2011
2:05 pm
I hate that we have Kawakami on our team. Numbers or not, he’s results were crap the entire season. He cost us some big games. I hate to say it, but there were lots of games where Bobby should have pulled him out sooner… or sent him to AA sooner.
As for Nate being in the same boat… I have to disagree. Nate contributed to some big wins. He cost us a few really big, important games at the end of the season… but nothing compared to what Kawakami cost us.
what of it?
March 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
So is Wren saying it’s acceptable b/c it’s a distraction to the club and not the teammates?
Props to Kawakami for being a professional and seizing the opportunities given to him. I wish him the best
JTH
March 2nd, 2011
2:15 pm
So, why is he here? I didn’t see a definitive answer.
coach13
March 2nd, 2011
2:18 pm
South Ga braves- Snake bit? a 4.5 era stinks. He’s lucky it wasn’t higher.