He is a 33-year-old starting pitcher, he stands 5'10" and weighs in just under 200 pounds: Does that sound like the answer Red Sox fans were looking for when they asked who the Red Sox were going to sign to solidify their rotation?
Considering the dearth of exciting possibilities in this year's free-agent crop for pitchers, Kenshin Kawakami could be exactly the answer.
CC Sabathia is 28, and he is coming off one of the best post-All-Star-break seasons a pitcher can have. He is also due for a big payday, and his host of suitors with money runs deep.
First, the rumors were about him signing with the Angels, and now everyone is certain the Yankees will lure him away for a similar contract to what Johan Santana received (six-year, $137.5 million)
Jake Peavy is only 27 and has already four seasons where his ERA has been under 3.00. Peavy has also had injuries in his pitching arm twice. Once this past season, when he missed four weeks with a strained elbow, and once in 2006 when he was shelved with shoulder tendinitis. He is also not a free agent.
Derek Lowe is almost 35 and his agent is Scott Boras.
A.J. Burnett is talented, and he is also inconsistent and wild.
Let's face it, the Red Sox are scanning the landscape for decent options, and they aren't finding anything nearby.
But they do have their eyes overseas, watching the progression of Kenshin Kawakami, who may very well be the latest Japanese import who comes to Boston, and it seems like a logical move.
- B/R Ticket Guide
According to Japanese Ballplayers, Kenshin Kawakami is coming of one of the best seasons of his career. He only pitched 117.1 innings, but he finished the season a 9-5 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 112 strikeouts for the Chunichi Dragons, who he helped win a championship in 2007
So maybe he isn't the innings-eater that Daisuke Matsuzaka was when he came over from Japan, but his statistics compare favorably to those of the Los Angeles Dogers' Hiroki Kuroda, who had success this past season.
Although he is already over 30, he has never had any major arm problems or major injury problems in his career. He has started over 20 games in all but two of his 11-year-career, and his most serious injury he has incurred was a back strain he suffered this past season.
Also, because Kawakami filed for free agency and was granted it by Japanese baseball, he will be able to listen to contract offers from the Red Sox without any asking price, a relief to Red Sox officials I'm sure after the $51.1 million they ponied up to talk to Matsuzaka.
Kuroda was only signed for a little more than $11 million per year, and it seems likely that Kawakami will find that his market value is similar.
The Japanese players normally sign with teams that are contenders (Boston, New York, Los Angeles), or teams that have a high Asian population (Seattle and Los Angeles) where they don't feel as uncomfortable.
This trend will only benefit the Red Sox because Kawakami won't have the same leverage that some of the other free-agent starters have because of the drop off in quality.
The Red Sox should be a favorite in the race for Kawakami because they have already successfully integrated to other Asian players (Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima), who have seemed comfortable and have been key contributors.
All signs seem to point to Kawakami being a terrific fit in Boston. He is a power pitcher with good speed and a good cut fastball and wouldn't take the brunt of the pressure, because he is capable of switching between the rotation and the bullpen.
Granted, he is an unknown commodity. But he will be cheaper than any other worthwhile starting pitcher on the market, and he has the ability to succeed, just as his countrymen have.
Yes, the Yankees might dominate the headlines if they sign Sabathia, and maybe the Braves will shake-up the National League by trading for Peavy.
Me? I will be happy to stay on page six by signing Kawakami. He may be 33-years-old and he maybe only 5'10" inches tall, but he is also a low-risk, reliable option who could pay huge dividends in the immediate future for the Red Sox.
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2 months ago
Although I understand where you are coming from, I don't see Kawakami being worth $11 million a year, not a Japanese pitcher who is 33 years old. I don't see the Japanese pitching being statistically on the same level as MLB. Remember, also, he was drafted out of high school and doesn't have the same track record as Dice K. Me, I still would like to add Peavy and Boston could easily pull it off with the San Diego connections the entire front office has. I think Peavy would waive his no trade clause to come here. He is only 28 and signed long term. I see Kawakami being more in the $6-7 million a year range, but I don't see him having more than a couple of good years in the majors. Peavy should be solid for the next 5-6 years. Sabbathia will be paid money that is in the Santana range, which is too much, but the Yankees will do it and may land Burnett as well. I think Burnett will flop over the length of his contract. It is a sorry year for the depth of players in free agency.
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