Red Sox Reportedly Extend Multi-Year Offer To Japanese Pitcher Kawakami |

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Red Sox Reportedly Extend Multi-Year Offer To Japanese Pitcher Kawakami

By Administrator | December 12, 2008

Nikkan Sports is reporting that Red Sox have offered Japanese free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami a 3-year, $21-million contract.

According to npbtracker.com, Kawakami has the most potential of any of the current NPB free agent pitchers. [NPB stands for Nippon Professional Baseball]

Over eleven seasons, he has posted a 257-112 record, with a 3.22 ERA,as a member of Chunichi Dragons. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1998 and the Central League’s MVP Award in 2004. He led the Central League in wins in 2004 and 2006, led the league in strikeouts in 2006, and won the Sawamura Award (Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award) in 2004. Also of note, he has thrown a no-hitter (in 2002) and won three Gold Gloves.

He doesn’t have overpowering stuff (his fastball tops out in the low 90’s) but he has excellent control and an outstanding cutter (rated the best among Japanese pitchers by visiting major leaguers). He also throws a slow curve (which he throws at 65-70 mph), a changeup and a forkball.

His windup isn’t deceptive, like many Japanese pitchers.

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Update, 11PM: Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe reports that MLB sources have told her that the Red Sox have NOT extended an offer to Kawakami as of this time.

Topics: Sox Front Office, Sox Players, SoxTransactions |

One Response to “Red Sox Reportedly Extend Multi-Year Offer To Japanese Pitcher Kawakami”

larry Says:
December 13th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hi JB,
A couple of points regarding free agents, former free agents, etc.

Two players who were released last night were Ty Wigginton and Tim Redding. I have watched Tim Redding pitch for the Nats a couple of times - he is really a pretty good pitcher and could serve as a 5th starter if they do not sign Smoltz or Lowe.

I had Wigginton on my fantasy team a couple of times before he went to Houston and he is a good player. He could be their super-utility player. He covers both the infield and the outfield.

Regarding the Yankees, if Burnett averages 20 starts/season over 5 seasons, then the Yankees are paying him about $900K/start. Given that they need about 6-10 additional wins to make the playoffs, he may be worth it. However, he could easily get hurt at the right moment.

Sabathia is toug but could be a big injury risk.

The Yankees are playing high risk Roulette with a reasonable hope for a payoff. However, do not forget the 2008 Tigers.

THE RED SOX SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET TEIXEIRA. PICKING UP TEIXEIRA NEGATES THE YANKEES MOVES and makes Lowell and Lugo expendible.

Wishing you and your family and your readers a wonderful, holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.