Angels Acquire Scott Kazmir!

Shapecity · Aug 29, 2009

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—The Los Angeles Angels did more than just upgrade their unsteady rotation. They added a two-time All-Star who’s only 25 years old.

Scott Kazmir(notes) was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the AL West leaders Friday night, a major move for a high-scoring team that already had World Series aspirations.

The Angels landed Kazmir for two minor leaguers and a player to be named. The hard-throwing lefty was 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA this season for the defending AL champions.

“I’m going to a quality organization that is in the race every year,” Kazmir said. “That’s something to look forward to, but I don’t think it will hit me until I fly out there.”
Tampa Bay receives left-hander Alex Torres and third baseman Matt Sweeney in the deal.

“We’re very excited about the player that we can’t name yet, but also about the other two,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “The lefty has a great arm, and Sweeney is one of the best hitters in the minors.”

Looking to lock up their third straight division title, the Angels are five games ahead of second-place Texas. Tampa Bay is 4 1/2 out in the wild-card race.

“This is a surprise. I had heard rumors before, but it’s hard to believe that it is now official,” Kazmir said after his team’s 6-2 loss at Detroit. “It’s a disappointment because of all the relationships I’ve built in the organization and the city, but you can’t control the business side of the game.”

Kazmir will become the Angels’ 14th starting pitcher this year, most in the majors. He was 4-1 with a 4.38 ERA over his last six starts for the Rays.

His most recent outing was Wednesday at Toronto, where he struck out 10 while allowing a run and four hits over six innings in a no-decision.

“We had followed him for the last couple of weeks,” Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. “Most recently, we had a scout in Toronto who saw Scott pitch, and he obviously threw the ball very well. So we just felt it made sense for us to make the move right now.”

Scioscia said Kazmir will make his Angels debut Tuesday or Wednesday in Seattle.

“I’m excited,” center fielder Torii Hunter(notes) said. “I definitely think Kazmir’s going to help the rotation out a whole lot. I’m glad I don’t have to face him now.”

Because he was dealt before Aug. 31, Kazmir is eligible for postseason play with Los Angeles. He had to pass through waivers to be traded at this point in the season.

Kazmir led the AL with 239 strikeouts in 2007 but has been slowed by injuries during his career. He started Games 1 and 5 of last year’s World Series against Philadelphia.

“He has the potential to be a No. 1 starter, just like anyone on our staff does,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

The move was somewhat surprising because Kazmir was a key part of a talented young core that helped Tampa Bay go from perennial losers to pennant winners last year. But the trade provides salary relief for the cost-conscious Rays, who have several important budget decisions looming.

Kazmir is earning $6 million this season in the first year of a $28.5 million, three-year deal he agreed to in May 2008. He is owed $8 million next season and $12 million in 2010, and his contract contains a $13.5 million club option for 2012 with a $2.5 million buyout.

“It surprises me to see Kaz go, because of everything he’s meant to the organization,” Rays teammate Carl Crawford(notes) said.

All season, Los Angeles has been piecing together a rotation beset by injuries to John Lackey(notes), Ervin Santana(notes), Joe Saunders(notes) and Kelvim Escobar(notes), and the tragic death of Nick Adenhart(notes). The Angels, who led the majors with 724 runs through Friday, ranked 12th out of 14 AL teams with a 4.89 ERA.

Lackey can become a free agent after the season.

“Scott’s situation is exclusive of anything we’re doing in the future,” Reagins said. “The way the pitching market is out there now and the pitchers that are available in the next few years, this made a lot of sense for us—to be able to get a quality pitcher in the fold right now.”

Kazmir was selected in the first round of the 2002 amateur draft by the New York Mets, then traded to Tampa Bay in 2004 while he was still in the minors. He is the club’s career leader in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched.

“We think that we gave up two talented players, and a third to come. So this was not a basic salary dump,” Reagins said.
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Source: Y! Sports

44Thrilla · Aug 29, 2009

I guess Tampa doesn't think they can catch the Red Sox.

panthersare#1 · Aug 29, 2009

I love Scott Kazmir so I am a little disappointed that he got traded.He has not been his usual self this year making one or two starts like the old kazmir and most where he was just a very average pitcher. His velocity is down but if he gets his slider and changeup to where it was two years ago this is a great trade for the angels. The Rays will bring back up Andy Sonnanstine who has been horrible this year, but was a valuable key last year. The Rays also have pitchers Wade Davis and potential phenom Jeremy Hellickson for next year.

Shapecity · Aug 29, 2009

44Thrilla said: ↑

I guess Tampa doesn't think they can catch the Red Sox.
Click to expand...

It probably does. The way it is right now it looks like the Redsox and Angels are going to go at it again in the 1st round of the playoffs. I forgot how Kazmir did against Boston last year, but I'm assuming the Angels feel he can be a difference maker in the post season being familiar with the Redsox hitters.

Angels starting pitching has been erratic this year. None of their pitchers have dominated this season like they did a year ago. I wonder where Scosia slots him in the rotation with Weaver, Lackey, Saunders & Santana?

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Angels Acquire Scott Kazmir!

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Angels Acquire Scott Kazmir!

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44Thrilla cuatro cuatro

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