ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves have reached agreement with Japanese all-star pitcher Kenshin Kawakami on a three-year contract.
The 2004 Central League MVP has won 112 games in 11 seasons in Japan and was regarded as one of the top free-agent pitchers from that country available this offseason.
The 33-year-old right-hander went 9-5 for the Chunichi Dragons last year, when he missed several weeks because of a back strain.
Kawakami will be introduced in Atlanta today - the same day the Boston Red Sox hold a news conference to announce they have signed former longtime Braves pitcher John Smoltz.
Atlanta is still believed to have hopes of signing free agent pitcher Derek Lowe, who visited town last week.
Red Sox officially announce Smoltz signing
BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Red Sox have officially announced the signing of veteran righthander John Smoltz, who joins the team after major offseason shoulder surgery.
Smoltz was scheduled to appear at a news conference later Tuesday.
A preliminary agreement was reached last week on the deal, which is believed to be for one year and $5.5 million, with an added $5 million in possible performance bonuses.
The 41-year-old Smoltz has 210 wins, 154 saves and a 3.26 ERA in a 20-year career with the Atlanta Braves. Last season, he was 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA before hitting the disabled list in June.
Smoltz said Monday he would be a starter this year once he's ready to pitch for Boston. He said the team intends to make sure he's strong enough to be effective at the end of the year and into the playoffs.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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