From Mark Bowman comes this wonderful bit of news about how the Braves can rid themselves of a mistake free agent and get some salary relief in the process:
It sounds like at least one Japanese team has shown strong interest in acquiring Kenshin Kawakami from the Braves. The club is believed to be willing to assume approximately $3 million of the $6.67 million the Braves still owe the Japanese right-hander next year.
One Japanese reporter indicted the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters have shown some interest. But it's believed the Braves might have found at least one other more attractive suitor from the Japanese League.
Before signing with the Braves back in 2008, Kawakami drew major interest from the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese League. It may be wishful thinking, but if Hanshin still has interest in Kawakami, perhaps a trade could be worked out that would send KK there in exchange for former Georgia Tech outfielder Matt Murton, who is currently in the middle of a two-year contract with the Tigers. Murton almost broke the single season home run record in Japan this year, and he did break Ichiro Suzuki's single season hits record while posting a slash line of .349/.395/.499.
This would involve a lot of speculation on my part, but Murton could help solve the Braves left field problem and its Kawakami problem. Make it happen Frank!