On Rebound From Smoltz, Braves Turn to Lowe

"Derek is a guy we would love to have," Wren said coyly. "We visited with him last week and would love to see that come true."

This is a Sept. 16, 2008 file photo showing Los Angeles Dodgers starter Derek Lowe pitching in the...

This is a Sept. 16, 2008 file photo showing Los Angeles Dodgers starter Derek Lowe pitching in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh. The Atlanta Braves worked to bolster their rotation, closing in a $60 million, four-year deal with Derek Lowe, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

(AP)

The Braves had hoped to re-sign Smoltz for a 22nd season in Atlanta, but he took a $5 million, one-year deal from the Red Sox.

"It different, it's hard, but the game goes on," Cox said.

In an interesting twist, Smoltz was introduced in Boston on the same day the Braves wrapped up negotiations with Lowe and held a news conference of their own at Turner Field to announce the three-year contract with Kawakami.

The 33-year-old right-hander becomes the first Japanese-born player in the franchise's history. He held up a picture he drew with the symbol for "soul" in his native language.

"My pitching style is all about putting my soul into my pitches," Kawakami said through a translator. "I hope to show that in America as well."

The 2004 Central League MVP won 112 games in 11 seasons in Japan and was regarded as one of the top free-agent pitchers from Japan available this offseason. He was 9-5 for the Chunichi Dragons last year, though he missed several weeks with a strained back.

The Braves were confident about his health after the 5-foot-10 right-hander passed a physical on Monday, and they spoke with numerous Japanese people in the community to make sure he would feel comfortable in his new home.

"One of the things we found at dinner last night was Kenshin speaks a little more English than we originally thought," Wren said.

Though many Atlanta fans were outraged over the loss of Smoltz, Wren and his staff moved quickly to shore up the beleaguered rotation.

The deals brightened what had been a disappointing offseason. The Braves failed to work out a trade for San Diego ace Jake Peavy and was rebuffed by free agents A.J. Burnett and Rafael Furcal. Injury plagued left-hander Mike Hampton also turned down a chance to return to the team, signing instead with Houston.

Then came the biggest blow of all: the loss of Smoltz, who had spent his entire big league career with the Braves but was coming off major shoulder surgery.