O's, Kawakami talks continue
Now that the Orioles have come to terms with their first Japanese player, why stop there.
Major League baseball sources indicate the O's remain in solid pursuit of free agent right-hander Kenshin Kawakami, who went 9-5, 2.30 this past season with the Chunichi Dragons. The 33-year-old Kawakami has played with the Dragons for 11 seasons and was named the Central League MVP in 2004.
"The O's remain in the mix, no question. They've showed a strong pursuit of Kawakami," a source said.
Fans have asked if the O's agreement on a deal with pitcher Koji Uehara, will help in their pursuit of Kawakami. While it can't hurt, some in the industry say it doesn't give the O's a great advantage either.
Kawakami's ERA was a run and a half better last season than Uehara's. In his career in Japan, he is 106-62 with a 3.17 ERA. In 1497 career innings he has fanned 1201 batters with 315 walks. He will turn 34 in June.
The O's have shown interest in other players from Japan, but while they have a shot at Kawakami, the acquisition of a third or even fourth Japanese player is considered a long-shot at best.
The O's have talked often since the winter meetings with Dan Evans, Kawakami's agent and more talks are expected. The contenders for Kawakami have been narrowed, but there is no word on how many teams remain in the mix.
Evans also represents catcher Gregg Zaun and the Orioles remain interested in Zaun as well.
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Categories (click for archive)Steve Melewski |
Glad to hear. I feel the O's need one more innings-eating pitcher that is hopefully half-way decent. Looking at the list of free agents still remaining, there's only one other out there other than Kawakami...in my opinion: Oliver Perez...though he walks way too many.
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I could see them still signing another starter even if they did get Kawakami. You can never have enough starting pitching, someone once said. - Steve
he signed with the braves
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That could happen, John. They are said to have strong interest. But as of late last night he had not signed with anyone and no signing of him appeared imminent for any team. That could change fast of course, if one team upped its offer. The best info we have as of late Thursday night was the O's were still in it. - Steve
Steve...I think it was a great idea to bring in players from Asia. Wheather they would be from Japan, Korea, or China, it could bring in a larger fanbase locally and internationally.
I question some of the national media writers who give Uehara poor marks for signing in Baltimore. His numbers show that he might be one of the best control pitchers in Japan. He is taller and bigger than the average person in his country, listed at 6'1". I am hoping this makes it easier for him to control the slightly larger MLB baseballs. If so, great move. He should limit his walks. If his style does lead to a homerun, there is a larger chance of it being a solo shot. Uehara is around the plate and it will force the defense to play well behind him, especially the outfield.
One thing that I think alot of people are missing is the division. Both the Yankees and Red Sox lineups consist of patient hitters and the only real free swinging team was the Rays last season. Patient hitters stay way from the junk or questionable balls and wait for a pitcher to make his mistake. It comes down to whether Uehara keeps the ball down, but in the zone.
This whole story will be a wait and see simply because the ball is different. Dike K was suppose to be "It". He is slightly above average. He throws way too many balls and does not last long in alot of his games. Uehara had more control in NPB and I hope it translates over in MLB.
As for Kawakami, should it be a plus at this moment over the other hopeful teams. I think having another Japanese pitcher on the staff is a huge plus. Do the Braves, Reds, or other teams pursuing him have Japanese players on the active roster? Better yet, do they have any on thier starting staff or Bullpen?
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Somone downplayed the factor of having another Japanese pitcher on staff in the pursuit of Kawakami, but unless those two are rivals or something we haven't heard, why wouldn't that help the O's? As for the strike zone, it is bigger in Japan where umps allow the high strike. Japanese pitchers need to adapt to that here. The O's feel Uehara will adjust and have few concerns over the difference in the baseball as well. He'll adapt, they feel confident. - Steve
Is Yu Darvish gonna be posted next year and are the orioles interested
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I'm no expert on Japanese pitchers but he is a pretty well known talent and if posted will be in big demand. He'll probably sign with the Yankees like everyone else. Just kidding, I think. - Steve
Question--
the Uehara signing seems to be getting some mixed reviews from the pundits. Most seem to be pointing to his lack of "upside" compared to other high profile (e.g. Ben Sheets), as well as Uehara's tendency to give up HRs, which they all quickly point out is a terrible trait for OPACY.
Do you agree with thier criticism, and what do you see as pros and cons to the Uehara signing?
My take on the criticism:
The O's don't have the rotation flexibility to make a high risk/high reward signing like Sheets. The O's need proven arms with control and durability. And they need to be affordable so we flexibility when we're ready to contend in a few years.
As fas as the longball, to some degree I think OPACY's numbers are a reflection of poor pitching in Baltimore over the years. Then again, I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I don't think I'd be too surprised to find the O's at the top of the list for HR allowed on the road, going back over the last decade.
My take on the signing:
Uehara has all of the things I mentioned above: experience, control, and durability. He has deception in his delivery, and his splitter looks plus (there's a video of him in the WBC striking out Bond and Giambi, which is encouraging). It sounds like his contract is very affordable and flexible. Plus, the O's break into a new market and help their cause with other international athletes. If he is a flop, I don't think his contract is a burdened. He might even be movable later down the road. So I tend to disagree with the pundits and am excited for the O's.
Keep up the great work. I like reading your posts.
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Thanks. I don't think the O's expect greatness from Uehara, no one is saying he is a number two starter talent. He may be the second best starter currently on this team, but that's more a result of how poor the rotation is and not his talent.
The positives are he brings experience, great command and a real desire to prove he can do it in the US Major Leagues. He does pitch up in the zone as many Japanese pitchers do, they call higher strikes there. The O's think he can adapt well here. No one can really project what he will do here until we see if firsthand.
Adapting to our culture can't be easy if you have never been here and no one else in the clubhouse speaks your language. But many others have done it and Uehara can too. - Steve
Steve,
Assuming Uehara can make that adjustment and assuming last year's demotion had more to do with an injury than him losing it, he might be a real steal for the Orioles.
If I remember correctly, among this year's free agents was a Japanese catcher. If so, wouldn't it make sense to sign him as the primary catcher for Uehara (and Kawakami, should that deal get done). I imagine Uehara could learn a few choice phrases in English to use in talking to an American catcher (or vice versa), but the conversation for an all-Japanese battery could get much more specific and with much less danger of misunderstanding.
P.S. The Sun is reporting that Chris Gomez has signed a minor league deal with the O's. Good to have him back; Chris was a constant plus through so many difficult seasons. Now, does anyone have B.J. Surhoff's number?
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Early on, Ken, the O's had some interest in catcher Ryoji Aikawa. I don't think they are pursuing him anymore and haven't heard if he signed with any US team. I don't think the catcher will be that important and Uehara better learn to work with Wieters since it looks like that's eventually going to be the guy we hope for a long time. I'm sure they will smooth out communication with him as much as possible.
Chris Gomez could turn out to be a nice backup - again. One day we could see BJ in an O's uniform - as a coach. But that's probably a long way off. - Steve
The Braves Will Have This One
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Could be, no one is saying the O's have agreed to any terms with Kawakami or that they are close to a deal, only that as of last night, they were still talking. Braves seem to be chasing Derek Lowe today. - Steve
i'd like to get the second japanese fella, but i have a good feeling
about Liz-Penn-Olson-Waters etc. stepping up, too.
Go O's 2010!! The Kiddie Korp. is koming!!