Halos to release Scott Kazmir?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Scott Kazmir Likely To Be Released

By Tim Dierkes [June 15 at 7:53am CST]

"It appears the Angels will have no choice but to release" lefty Scott Kazmir, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. That would mean eating about $7MM in remaining salary, plus a $2.5MM buyout for 2012.

 

GM Tony Reagins was on hand to watch Kazmir's fifth rehab start, writes DiGiovanna, and it was the lefty's fourth ugly outing. Kazmir's recovery from back stiffness has been drawn out, as he attempts to regain his old form within the 30-day rehab window. Last year, Kazmir's 5.94 ERA was the worst in the American League among those with 150 innings. Kazmir led the American League in strikeouts in 2007 as a 23-year-old, but his work has gone downhill since.

 

Kazmir is still only 27, so don't count him out of baseball quite yet. Perhaps another fresh start will lead to him becoming a serviceable starter in time.

 

 

I didnt realize quite how bad hed fallen off, but hes younger than most of our AAA starters, and I cant imagine him being any worse than the revolving door of bad we have at the 5th spot in the rotation. Im actually pretty surprised that they arent trying to trade him considering the guys that pitching desperate teams have been looking at and trying out (IE Doug Davis, Rodrigo Lopez, Ramon Ortiz, Carlos Silva)

 

Im sure that there are plenty of teams thinking the same, most notably the Yankees, but a move to the NL could be more beneficial to him.

 

If the Angels flat out dumo him, this could be the definition of a low risk/high reward investment.

[shnsajax]

2013 Cy Young award winner with the Cards.

[fromthestretch]

Isn't his velocity pretty much on par with Doug Davis' these days?

[Post Count Padder]

Talk about a quick fall from grace. He looked like he'd be an ace a couple years ago. What happened? Arm troubles?

[Guancous]

Talk about a quick fall from grace. He looked like he'd be an ace a couple years ago. What happened? Arm troubles?

 

Overwork and abuse in his youth and a cascade of injuries. I'd stay away unless we need someone to perform towel drills in AAA. Our trainers have their hands full enough as it is.

[Rob]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4897&position=P#pitchtype

 

Take a look at his fastball velocity. If that isn't an indication of major arm issues, I don't know what is.

[Little Slide Rooter]

All this being said, asuming hes outright released, could he possibly be any worse than the tripe the Cubs have pooped onto the mount every 5th game?

[SouthSideRyan]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4897&position=P#pitchtype

 

Take a look at his fastball velocity. If that isn't an indication of major arm issues, I don't know what is.

 

Tony Saunders.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He's now officially been released. Someone will take a chance. May as well be us.

[sweetpeteman]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4897&position=P#pitchtype

 

Take a look at his fastball velocity. If that isn't an indication of major arm issues, I don't know what is.

 

 

Not that I'm disagreeing about him being injured, but all of that PFx data for 2011 is from 63 pitches in one start on April 3rd. It doesn't really tell us how he's doing now, but I would still guess that his velocity is an issue.

 

 

I would not be surprised if he has a number of different minor league offers already. He's only 27 and I'm sure many teams see him as an easy reclamation, low risk/high reward type signing.

 

Although looking at his stats for at AAA this year, in 15.1 innings he has 20 BB, 14 K, 20 hits, but no homers given up, and 6 HBP, so it may be more of a control issue then a velocity issue.

[questionmarkgrace]

one thing I always hated about kazmir is he seemed to struggle to get out of the fifth inning. Maybe its because strike out guys typically throw alot of pitches but he seemed to always be pushing his pitch count early in the game.

[SouthSideRyan]

one thing I always hated about kazmir is he seemed to struggle to get out of the fifth inning. Maybe its because strike out guys typically throw alot of pitches but he seemed to always be pushing his pitch count early in the game.

 

Average innings per start by year:

 

5.8

6.0

6.1

5.6

5.7

5.4

[sneakypower]

i bet Rick Peterson could fix him in five minutes

[imb]

wasnt his era like 18.00 in AAA

[Backtobanks]

i bet Rick Peterson could fix him in five minutes

 

Not if he has serious damage to his arm.

[jersey cubs fan]

i bet Rick Peterson could fix him in five minutes

 

Not if he has serious damage to his arm.

 

He was talking about renowned surgeon, Dr. Richard Peterson.