Masahide Kobayashi

jpx7 · November 6th, 2007, 08:24 PM

Per the internets, Braves are interested in Japanese pitcher Masahide Kobayashi to close.

I actually think this could be a great way to fortify the bullpen and allocate some cash, especially if it is conjunction with another transaction — say the acquisition of David DeJesus to fill the CF void, possibly by means of the Braves' excess young relievers such as Manny Acosta or Joey Devine. This allows the Braves to fill the CF position cheaply, with a relative assurance of production — and I think DeJesus is a good bet to improve offensively on his 2007, based on his prior career pattern; with that fiscally amenable solution, the Braves can then replace the lost bullpen production with an elite Japanese closer who – in middle relief or the ninth – gives Cox a "veteran" option (which he needs) and adds significant depth at the top of the bullpen.

Since the impending contract offer to Glavine seems all but certain, I think these two moves would allow the Braves to solidly safeguard two strengths (offense and relief) — which is necessary if they see the signing of Glavine as commensurate with "shoring up" the rotation. I'd prefer a more consequential improvement, but honestly those moves might be enough to render the Braves a serious playoff contender in the NL.

In practice, the active roster would look something like:

2B Johnson
SS Escobar
3B Jones
1B Teixeira
C McCann
RF Francoeur
LF Diaz/Jones
CF DeJesus

RHP Smoltz
RHP Hudson
LHP Glavine
RHP Jurrjens
LHP James

RHP Soriano
RHP Kobayashi
RHP Moylan
LHP Ring
RHP Villarreal
LHP Hampton

With some combination of Devine/Acosta/Ascanio/Boyer/Dotel/Yates – contingent on which reliever(s) went to Kansas City for DeJesus – to fill the final position in the bullpen until Mike Gonzalez returns midseason, the Braves would have strength and depth at the end of the game and an affordable, young, and (offensively and defensively) productive outfield. DeJesus will be 28 in 2008, is signed through 2011 at annual costs of 08:$2.5M, 09:$3.6M, 10:$4.7M, 11:$6M club option ($0.5M buyout), and I feel his OPS+ of 114 and 108 in 2005 and 2006 are more reflective of his true level of play than is his 89 OPS+ in 2007. If nothing else, he can be counted on for a .350 OBP — a threshold he maintained in 2007 despite seeing his AVG fall to .260, and his SLG drop correspondingly; moreover, he is incredibly tradeable, and if he returns to his 2005/2006 form, he would be incredibly valuable to the Braves as a tradeable commodity once Lillibridge/Schafer/Hernandez nullify his value to the Braves as a CF.

Meanwhile, Hampton, Reyes, Lerew (after his convalescence), Bennett, and Carlyle provide myriad ancillary options for the rotation. This is crucial considering the age of Smoltz and Glavine, the injury-histories of Hudson and Hampton, and the youthful ambiguities of James, Jurrjens, and Reyes — not to mention the demonstrable worthlessness of Bennett and Carlyle. Furthermore, this would be another area from which the Braves could trade comfortably, using their depth as an asset to perhaps improve the rotation at the top, dealing Reyes or James along with some of their outfield or middle-infield depth.

All-in-all, I think the Braves are in an excellent position to compete for the NL next season, provided Wren et al properly allocate their resources – both monetary and personal. While I might disagree that Glavine conforms perfectly to this proper allocation, his acquisition can workably strengthen the team, especially if reports are true that he would find a discount palatable; I also think DeJesus fits well into this paradigm, being more affordable than free-agent options, more reliably projectable than immediate internal options, and playing for Dayton Moore's organization in front of Joey Gathright. Making only a few more moves, I feel the Braves could position themselves to have a very good, deep team on paper for 2008, while at the same time equipping themselves for the inevitable necessities of in-season experimentation and augmentation.

Perfect Cell · November 6th, 2007, 08:47 PM

I dont hate the DeJesus idea, in fact hes probably the best out of the "Cheapo trade guys" on the market. Certainly better than Rocco Baldelli and arugably better than CoCo Crisp.

Hope we dont trade Joey Devine though. Hes a keeper. Soriano as much as i like him still is an injury risk.

Snowman · November 20th, 2007, 01:06 PM

Indians agree to 2-year contract with Japanese closer Kobayashi

November 6th, 2007, 08:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
jpx7 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 568	Masahide Kobayashi Per the internets, Braves are interested in Japanese pitcher Masahide Kobayashi to close. I actually think this could be a great way to fortify the bullpen and allocate some cash, especially if it is conjunction with another transaction — say the acquisition of David DeJesus to fill the CF void, possibly by means of the Braves' excess young relievers such as Manny Acosta or Joey Devine. This allows the Braves to fill the CF position cheaply, with a relative assurance of production — and I think DeJesus is a good bet to improve offensively on his 2007, based on his prior career pattern; with that fiscally amenable solution, the Braves can then replace the lost bullpen production with an elite Japanese closer who – in middle relief or the ninth – gives Cox a "veteran" option (which he needs) and adds significant depth at the top of the bullpen. Since the impending contract offer to Glavine seems all but certain, I think these two moves would allow the Braves to solidly safeguard two strengths (offense and relief) — which is necessary if they see the signing of Glavine as commensurate with "shoring up" the rotation. I'd prefer a more consequential improvement, but honestly those moves might be enough to render the Braves a serious playoff contender in the NL. In practice, the active roster would look something like: 2B Johnson SS Escobar 3B Jones 1B Teixeira C McCann RF Francoeur LF Diaz/Jones CF DeJesus RHP Smoltz RHP Hudson LHP Glavine RHP Jurrjens LHP James RHP Soriano RHP Kobayashi RHP Moylan LHP Ring RHP Villarreal LHP Hampton With some combination of Devine/Acosta/Ascanio/Boyer/Dotel/Yates – contingent on which reliever(s) went to Kansas City for DeJesus – to fill the final position in the bullpen until Mike Gonzalez returns midseason, the Braves would have strength and depth at the end of the game and an affordable, young, and (offensively and defensively) productive outfield. DeJesus will be 28 in 2008, is signed through 2011 at annual costs of 08:$2.5M, 09:$3.6M, 10:$4.7M, 11:$6M club option ($0.5M buyout), and I feel his OPS+ of 114 and 108 in 2005 and 2006 are more reflective of his true level of play than is his 89 OPS+ in 2007. If nothing else, he can be counted on for a .350 OBP — a threshold he maintained in 2007 despite seeing his AVG fall to .260, and his SLG drop correspondingly; moreover, he is incredibly tradeable, and if he returns to his 2005/2006 form, he would be incredibly valuable to the Braves as a tradeable commodity once Lillibridge/Schafer/Hernandez nullify his value to the Braves as a CF. Meanwhile, Hampton, Reyes, Lerew (after his convalescence), Bennett, and Carlyle provide myriad ancillary options for the rotation. This is crucial considering the age of Smoltz and Glavine, the injury-histories of Hudson and Hampton, and the youthful ambiguities of James, Jurrjens, and Reyes — not to mention the demonstrable worthlessness of Bennett and Carlyle. Furthermore, this would be another area from which the Braves could trade comfortably, using their depth as an asset to perhaps improve the rotation at the top, dealing Reyes or James along with some of their outfield or middle-infield depth. All-in-all, I think the Braves are in an excellent position to compete for the NL next season, provided Wren et al properly allocate their resources – both monetary and personal. While I might disagree that Glavine conforms perfectly to this proper allocation, his acquisition can workably strengthen the team, especially if reports are true that he would find a discount palatable; I also think DeJesus fits well into this paradigm, being more affordable than free-agent options, more reliably projectable than immediate internal options, and playing for Dayton Moore's organization in front of Joey Gathright. Making only a few more moves, I feel the Braves could position themselves to have a very good, deep team on paper for 2008, while at the same time equipping themselves for the inevitable necessities of in-season experimentation and augmentation. Last edited by jpx7; November 6th, 2007 at 08:32 PM.

November 20th, 2007, 01:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Snowman Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Topsail Beach, NC Posts: 1,335	Indians agree to 2-year contract with Japanese closer Kobayashi __________________ That corpse you planted last year in your garden, Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? If it wasn't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college.

November 6th, 2007, 08:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Perfect Cell Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 215	I dont hate the DeJesus idea, in fact hes probably the best out of the "Cheapo trade guys" on the market. Certainly better than Rocco Baldelli and arugably better than CoCo Crisp. Hope we dont trade Joey Devine though. Hes a keeper. Soriano as much as i like him still is an injury risk.