Scott Kazmir Traded to Angels
On Friday, August 22, I attended the Tampa Bay Rays' game against the Texas Rangers in section 149 in left center field. The Rays won 5–3 behind a strong start by two–time All–Star Scott Kazmir.
Little did I know that Kazmir's Rays career would be over one week later, and that this would be his final home start at Tropicana Field.
Kazmir was officially traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim late Friday night for minor league pitcher Alexander Torres, third baseman Matthew Sweeney and a player to be named later.
He had an 8–7 record with an abysmal 5.92 ERA this season, but before that had been a dominating ace for four years. The man once known as “King K” helped lead the Rays to the 2008 World Series and was seen as the pitcher of the present and future in Tampa Bay. But with injuries, this season's performance and a slew of pitchers seemingly passing him by, the team saw fit to cut its ties with him.
Kazmir was due at least $20 million over the next two seasons, which will now be covered by the Angels. The Rays want to use the money on other players, notably to retain Carl Crawford.
Scott had so much upside that trading him in August had never seemed possible. He was always known as a solid strikeout pitcher who could kick it up a notch in pressure situations. He seemed like the type of leader a team could build around. He looked to be on his way to a Hall of Fame career in his early 20s.
Then came 2009. Injuries started catching up with Kazmir, who had only pitched one complete game in his professional career. His out pitches became inconsistent and lost velocity. David Price and Jeff Niemann started stealing his thunder, and prized prospects Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson were waiting to take his job.
With that information in mind, Kazmir was let go. But not for nothing, as was the case with Alex Rios and the Blue Jays.
Torres, 21, is a left–hander who bears a strong resemblance to a young Kazmir. He gets strikeouts and ground balls at high rates, and Rays scouts “rave about him.” He went 13–4 with a 2.75 ERA between Class A Advanced and AA this season. He looks to be the centerpiece of the deal for the Rays.
Sweeney, a slightly older 21, hit .299 in A+ ball with nine home runs. He is seen as a good power prospect with good strike zone knowledge. Or maybe trade bait. We don't know yet.
The Rays also said that the player to be named later would be a “significant piece.”
It looks like the Rays didn't leave empty–handed. But the franchise leader in wins and strikeouts is now gone, leaving a void in team history as well as the current roster. Kazmir may never fully recover, or he could morph into Steve Carlton. We don't know yet. He frustrated us in 2009, but he provided us with many great games and classic moments through his years in Tampa Bay. Including a standing ovation in section 149 on a Friday night in St. Petersburg.
Goodbye, Scott. Best of luck in future endeavors. Rays Republic will miss you.
Little did I know that Kazmir's Rays career would be over one week later, and that this would be his final home start at Tropicana Field.
Kazmir was officially traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim late Friday night for minor league pitcher Alexander Torres, third baseman Matthew Sweeney and a player to be named later.
He had an 8–7 record with an abysmal 5.92 ERA this season, but before that had been a dominating ace for four years. The man once known as “King K” helped lead the Rays to the 2008 World Series and was seen as the pitcher of the present and future in Tampa Bay. But with injuries, this season's performance and a slew of pitchers seemingly passing him by, the team saw fit to cut its ties with him.
Kazmir was due at least $20 million over the next two seasons, which will now be covered by the Angels. The Rays want to use the money on other players, notably to retain Carl Crawford.
Scott had so much upside that trading him in August had never seemed possible. He was always known as a solid strikeout pitcher who could kick it up a notch in pressure situations. He seemed like the type of leader a team could build around. He looked to be on his way to a Hall of Fame career in his early 20s.
Then came 2009. Injuries started catching up with Kazmir, who had only pitched one complete game in his professional career. His out pitches became inconsistent and lost velocity. David Price and Jeff Niemann started stealing his thunder, and prized prospects Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson were waiting to take his job.
With that information in mind, Kazmir was let go. But not for nothing, as was the case with Alex Rios and the Blue Jays.
Torres, 21, is a left–hander who bears a strong resemblance to a young Kazmir. He gets strikeouts and ground balls at high rates, and Rays scouts “rave about him.” He went 13–4 with a 2.75 ERA between Class A Advanced and AA this season. He looks to be the centerpiece of the deal for the Rays.
Sweeney, a slightly older 21, hit .299 in A+ ball with nine home runs. He is seen as a good power prospect with good strike zone knowledge. Or maybe trade bait. We don't know yet.
The Rays also said that the player to be named later would be a “significant piece.”
It looks like the Rays didn't leave empty–handed. But the franchise leader in wins and strikeouts is now gone, leaving a void in team history as well as the current roster. Kazmir may never fully recover, or he could morph into Steve Carlton. We don't know yet. He frustrated us in 2009, but he provided us with many great games and classic moments through his years in Tampa Bay. Including a standing ovation in section 149 on a Friday night in St. Petersburg.
Goodbye, Scott. Best of luck in future endeavors. Rays Republic will miss you.
They traded my favorite player. I'm still trying to get over it. I may hold a grudge for a long time. He's played two games thus far for the Angels - both against Seattle's King Felix - and has be amazing in both games. I was lucky enough to get BOTH games on TV. I hope Scott can help the Angels this year - and I'm wishing for a CY Young type year next year for him.
Ginny
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