After being spurned repeatedly in their attempts to sign free agents, the Atlanta Braves managed to land one - from Japan.
Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher, becomes the first Japanese player in franchise history. Kawakami, who played 11 seasons for the Central League's Chunichi Dragons, signed a three-year contract.
Kawakami, along with another free-agent signee, Derek Lowe and offseason trade acquisition Javier Vazquez, should help boost the Braves' starting rotation in 2009. Third baseman Chipper Jones, who had earlier criticized the team for failing to re-sign longtime ace John Smoltz, said that Kawakami has the ability to succeed in the American major leagues.
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