BRAVES OFF SEASON ON RISE AFTER BIG WEEK

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2009-01-15T22:14:00-05:00

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414 1475 <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"> <link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CTOSHIB%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List" /> <link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CTOSHIB%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData" /> <link href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CTOSHIB%7E1%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping" /><style type="text/css"></style> </meta> </meta> </meta> </meta>  BRAVES SIGN LOWE AND KAWAKAMI<o:p></o:p> <img height="135" width="90" src="/uploads/Image/ph_499877.jpg" alt="" /> <img height="135" width="90" src="/uploads/Image/ph_117955.jpg" alt="Derek Lowe" />                                The Atlanta Braves finally have something to look for after picking up two pitchers which solidifies their rotation that many had been asking questions about previously.                    After failed attempts to land Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett and the departure of Braves legend John Smoltz the Braves signed Kenshin Kawakami of the Japanese Central League and Derek Lowe of the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the same day that Kawakami was to be introduced at Turner Field, John Smoltz was being introduced in Boston. Kawakami, who was the 2004 Central League MVP, won 112 games in 11 seasons in Japan. He was regarded as one of the best Japanese free agents                  available this off season. Kawakami went 9 - 5 for the Chunichi Dragons last year. He did miss time because of a back strain. During the Braves press conference on Tuul into his pitches, and that he hopes to show that in America as well.” Kawakami is the firsesday Kawakami said through a translator that “His pitching style is all about putting his sot Japanese - born player in Atlanta Braves history. Kawakami signed a 3 year deal worth $23 million.                                          Early Tuesday morning, as reported by AJC.com, Derek Lowe agreed to a 4 year deal worth $60 Million. Lowe was a huge the part of the 2004 Boston Red Sox team which came back from 3 - 0 to defeat the Yankees and win the World Series for the first time in 86 years. Lowe won the clinching games of the ALDS, ALCS and World Series. Lowe, who has averaged over 15 wins in his 7 years as starter, is expected to be the ace of the new - look Braves pitching staff. He will join other off - season acquisitions Javier Vazquez, the afore mentioned Kawakami and Jair Jurrjens (who won 13 games in his rookie season with the Braves). He has a career record of 126 - 107 with Seattle, Boston, and Los Angeles. He has averaged 208 innings over the last seven seasons. Lowe went 14 - 11 last season with the Dodgers.               Along with Lowe and Kawakami, Tim Hudson is expected to be back in the second half of the season after going through Tommy John surgery. Tom Glavine is also recovering from surgery but whether the Braves re - sign him is still undecided leaving the 5th spot in the rotation a question. It is expected that Jorge Campillo, Jo - Jo Reyes, and Charlie Morton will compete for the 5th spot. Also, Tommy Hanson, who is considered the best pitching prospect in the Braves system in years, is expected to make his MLB debut sometime in the second half of the season. With all of this, the Braves rotation is expected to be Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Kawakami, and Campillo in that order.               Braves GM Frank Wren had two things that he wanted to accomplish this off - season, 1. Upgrade starting rotation and 2. Upgrade outfield. With goal number 1 accomplished, Wren still needs to acquire a power hitting outfielder. With Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu still on the market it seems as if goal number 2 will be accomplished by the end of the off - season. Though, Braves fan are still optimistic since neither of these players have been mentioned in the same sentence as the Atlanta Braves.               With the winning traditions of the 90’s long gone the Atlanta Braves are making strides to regain their winning ways, which will rejuvenate the city of Atlanta.   0.0.0.0

2009-01-15T22:14:00-05:00

braves-off-season-on-rise-after-big-week

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BRAVES OFF SEASON ON RISE AFTER BIG WEEK

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