Scott Kazmir Traded To The Angels

The Angels have acquired LHP Scott Kazmir from the Rays for 3B Matt Sweeney, LHP Alex Torres and a player to be named later.

I’m going to be bold and call this a win for the Rays. Here’s why:

- Since ‘04 Kazmir has lost three mph on his fastball and two mph on his slider.
- Kazmir, 6′0 190, is on the small side for a pitcher
- Kazmir’s K/9 rate has decreased every year in his career.
- Kazmir’s BB rate has increased every year.
- Kazmir ERA in past years has benefited from the Rays stellar defense. His FIP has not been as good.
- Kazmir is guaranteed 22.5 million the next two years, plus the Angels are paying his salary this year. They also hold a 13.5 million dollar option in 2012.

Kazmir is a big name, mainly because of the Mets trade, but he’s not an ace pitcher. He’s closer to a third of fourth starter at this point in his career. While he is only 25 all of the stats point to him continuing to decline.

The Rays got back some solid prospects. Torres is a 21 year old lefty who broke out this season by posting a 13-4 record with a 2.74 ERA, 116 H and 149/80 K/BB in 147 1/3 innings between Single-A and Double-A. Sweeney, 21, is batting .296/.380/.504 this season with nine home runs and 44 RBI in 226 at-bats at the Single-A level. The player to be named later is just gravy.

Related posts:

1. The Rays Are Lurking
2. The Word Of The Day Is “Prospect”
3. Phillies Get Cliff Lee
4. Trade In The Works?
5. A Closer Look At Arroyo