Major League Baseball

Rays take risk by dealing Kazmir to Angels

Published Aug. 30, 2009 3:01 a.m. ET

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I understand why the Rays traded Scott Kazmir to the Angels.


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He is owed roughly $23.5 million between now and the end of the 2011 season. In theory, the team can use those savings to sign outfielder Carl Crawford to a long-term contract. And the organization likes its starting depth at Triple-A, including right-handers Andy Sonnanstine and Wade Davis, both of whom are expected to be promoted to the majors in the near future.

Kazmir, 25, is also an undersized left-handed pitcher by major-league standards. He landed on the disabled list last season with an elbow strain and again this year because of a strained right quad. Despite an encouraging August, he's only 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA in 20 starts this year.

Over his past 37 starts, including last year's postseason, he recorded an out in the seventh inning only six times. That doesn't bode well for a team's bullpen.

At this point, though, his stock is at a relative high. So, trade him. I get it.

But I'm not sure a lot of Rays fans will have the same perspective.

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