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« Discussion: John Lackey | Main | Reactions to Kazmir Deal »
Angels Acquire Scott Kazmir
9:31pm: The deal was as expected, according to Bill Shaikin of The LA Times. The Angels get Kazmir in exchange for minor leaguers Torres and Sweeney, plus a PTBNL. The 25-yr old Kazmir is under contract for two more seasons, plus a team option for 2012. With 144 career starts under his belt, the southpaw has put up an impressive 3.92 ERA and 9.8 K/9 while honing his craft in the AL East, and he even has World Series experience.
9:21pm: And we finally have confirmation: Topkin says the Rays have made the trade official.
6:17pm: Man on the scene Marc Topkin hears that the Rays may also receive a player to be named later in addition to Torres and Sweeney.
5:59pm: It's the deal that just won't be made official. Topkin says there won't be a trade announcement made until after tonight's Rays-Tigers game in Detroit. Naturally, the game is in a rain delay.
5:00pm: Topkins tweets that the deal should be finalized within an hour.
4:40pm: Sherman says that no money is changing hands in the deal, so the Angels are absorbing the over $20MM owed to Kazmir over the next two years.
4:33pm: Joel Sherman of The NY Post hears from a source that the deal is done, and Kazmir is "definitely going to the Angels."
4:23pm: The original report from MLB.com's Lyle Spencer has been changed, and now says that the proposed deal has fallen through.
4:17pm: Topkin tweets that there still has been no confirmation of the trade, and that Kazmir is just walking around the clubhouse talking on his phone. I suspect that's not out of the ordinary, though.
3:59pm: Topkin now reports that manager Joe Maddon's usual pre-grame media session has been pushed back.
3:43pm: Marc Topkin reports that Kazmir remains in the Rays clubhouse. He hasn't been told anything about a trade and actually thought the writers who asked him about one were kidding.
3:34pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com and ESPN.com's Buster Olney confirm that the Angels are close to acquiring Kazmir. There's at least $23.5MM remaining on Kazmir's deal and Heyman says the Rays want to spend that on other players. Kazmir receives $800k if he's traded.
2:58pm: The Angels are close to acquiring Scott Kazmir from the Rays, according to MLB.com's Lyle Spencer. Spencer reports that the Rays are "on the verge" of sending Kazmir west for a pair of prospects, Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney.
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good trade for the angels and 1st
Posted by: theguy9 | August 28, 2009 at 03:00 PM
OMG!!!
Posted by: Okaypoppi | August 28, 2009 at 03:01 PM
what the is friedman doing? with how kaz is starting to pitch, he could get much more in the offseason.
say it aint so.
Posted by: DuvalRays | August 28, 2009 at 03:02 PM
That would be a holy crap kinda thing to happen.
Posted by: Sour Bob | August 28, 2009 at 03:03 PM
This trade makes no sense for the Rays. I know Kazmir has been inconsistent this year, but to trade him while they have a shot at the wildcard I don't understand.
Posted by: Jeff Levy | August 28, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Trade doesn't make sense at the moment, but the Rays will get back two awesome prospects for Kazmir.
This in itself, helps the Rays pursue other trades in the offseason or just move forward with the pair.
Posted by: kelvin | August 28, 2009 at 03:05 PM
I guess they don't think they can win this year. Either that or they are trying to appease the gods for their original trade for Kaz, also a steal.
Posted by: yuppiescum | August 28, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Wow! That would monstrous.
Posted by: BK | August 28, 2009 at 03:10 PM
This is such crap. I know nothing of these spects, any good?
Posted by: RaysFan | August 28, 2009 at 03:13 PM
I leave the internet for 5 minutes and something this big happens?
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Yikes! Kazmir also give the Angels insurance if they cannot re-sign Lackey in the offseason.
Posted by: Mr_Punch | August 28, 2009 at 03:14 PM
I've been waiting to see a post like this for months!! Please God let this happen... The Angels need to pick up somebody if they want to have any hope in the offseason.
Kazmir has been a little rocky this year, but he'd be a great addition!
Posted by: halo_fanatic | August 28, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Wow, so this officially means kaz was a bust. I makes the whole kazmir zambrano thing cool down a bit
Posted by: johan is GOD | August 28, 2009 at 03:14 PM
Very Bizzare deal if it's true.
Tampa is still in the wildcard race and as someone pointed out Kasmir has pitched well of late.
Torres a Double A SP not without talent and Sweeney Advanced A infielder with a decent bat.
Posted by: ToBe | August 28, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Kazmir is a former shell of himself. Not really all that worried here.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Can someone explain how this is happening after the trade deadline?
Posted by: Ace | August 28, 2009 at 03:16 PM
I'd have to believe it's the money. If they think they can get the same production for less, they'll do it. This is still Tampa we're talking about...
Posted by: gutterbumber | August 28, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Kazmir and his huge contract cleared waivers; no one claimed him.
July 31st is only the non-waiver trade deadline. There are plenty of trades in August still, especially this year it seems.
Posted by: MorneauVP | August 28, 2009 at 03:19 PM
How did no team besides the Angels claim Kazmir? What am I missing here?
Posted by: Ace | August 28, 2009 at 03:20 PM
I will only be okay with this if 2 things happen. Davis takes his spot right now and we re sign Crawford
Posted by: RaysFan | August 28, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Just a thought, but come sept 1st the Wade Davis calls Tampa home.
Posted by: aj7380 | August 28, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Wow...I'n shocked he cleared waivers. He's owed a lot of money but he's a young power lefty and 8 of his last 10 starts have been quality starts.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM
So I guess Tampa is throwing in the towel on the year?
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM
"How did no team besides the Angels claim Kazmir? What am I missing here?"
I'm pretty sure AL gets first claims... so why did 12 AL teams pass up on him? A majority can't take on his contract, others didn't have the roster spot, or willing to make the risk.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:25 PM
"So I guess Tampa is throwing in the towel on the year?"
Doubt it. He's been largely ineffective anyway and TB does have a couple of series left against Boston and New York... they're pretty far from out.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:27 PM
If Kaz didn't fall off the table so badly this year, the Yankees would have blocked the move in a heartbeat...but then again...if he was still half the pitcher he once was, I don't think the Rays would be trading him. The Sox couldn't afford to claim him, neither could the Rangers. The Angels got lucky that the only teams that cared to block the move were hamstrung by money, and that they have a worse record than the Yankees, which prevented the team from blocking the move.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:28 PM
attempted to block* I meant to say.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Yikes,
The Rangers AT LEAST should have claimed him to block the Angels or Red Sox. Another blunder for the blunder boy GM.
Posted by: kinsler5 | August 28, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Great deal for the Angels. With their explosive offense and rotation that already has John Lackey and Jered Weaver, this is their year to get out of the first round.
Posted by: metfan57 | August 28, 2009 at 03:30 PM
Santana has also looked pretty solid
Posted by: BK | August 28, 2009 at 03:31 PM
"The Rangers AT LEAST should have claimed him to block the Angels or Red Sox."
I don't think anyone could have predicted this. Kazmir has been largely ineffective this year and has a price tag... serious did anyone on this board think Kazmir would be on a team other than the Angels after August first?
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Kazmir's last 3 starts have been excellent. He is not a "shell of his former self." He has struck out 21 over his last 19 2/3 with 7 earned runs over that span.
Posted by: Ace | August 28, 2009 at 03:31 PM
"How did no team besides the Angels claim Kazmir? What am I missing here?"
I'm pretty sure AL gets first claims... so why did 12 AL teams pass up on him? A majority can't take on his contract, others didn't have the roster spot, or willing to make the risk.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:25 PM
------------
Texas picks before the Angels. I know they're a little strapped for cash but the remainder of his 09 salary can't be much more than $1.5 mil and they can always flip him again in the offseason I imagine. Why not block the Angels since they were clearly trying to trade for Kazmir before the trade deadline a month ago?
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:32 PM
"Why not block the Angels since they were clearly trying to trade for Kazmir before the trade deadline a month ago?"
Again, did anyone predict this? It seems far fetched.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Not surprised he is getting moved considering his contract is back loaded (making $6 mil in 09, $8 mil in 10, $12 mil in 11, and an option for $13.5 mil for 12 with a $2.5 mil buyout).
I am just surprised at the timing of this trade. Unless the Rays thought they would be a better team without Kaz?
Posted by: yanks09 | August 28, 2009 at 03:33 PM
2 of those 3 starts have come against the Blue Jays. Not exactly the team you use to measure success against. I will give you the start against Texas, though. He's not anything like what he used to be, seriously. If this were the Kazmir of, say, 2007, where he had 239 SOs and a good ERA and record...I'd be scared shitless.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:34 PM
If Kaz didn't fall off the table so badly this year, the Yankees would have blocked the move in a heartbeat...but then again...if he was still half the pitcher he once was, I don't think the Rays would be trading him. The Sox couldn't afford to claim him, neither could the Rangers. The Angels got lucky that the only teams that cared to block the move were hamstrung by money, and that they have a worse record than the Yankees, which prevented the team from blocking the move.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:28 PM
The Angels had dibs on him before the Yankees. And why exactly couldn't the Sox afford to claim him? I'm not saying the Rays would have traded him in the division but the Sox definitely could have afforded it for sure!
Posted by: cmac1973 | August 28, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I don't think this is true. There's no way I can see the Rangers or the Red Sox passing on a chance to claim Kazmir. The Rangers inquired about him at the deadline, and they surely knew that the Angels tried to get him as well. It just doesn't make sense
If it is true, Jon Daniels and Theo Epstein are idiots
Posted by: boomshwa12 | August 28, 2009 at 03:35 PM
It seems to me like it would have been a very low risk move for another team to claim Kaz and block the move. There is just no way Tampa gives him to the claiming team without getting something back.
And if by some miracle that happens, the team can always flip him this offseason to be rid of his contract.
Posted by: drew | August 28, 2009 at 03:39 PM
"So I guess Tampa is throwing in the towel on the year?"
Doubt it. He's been largely ineffective anyway and TB does have a couple of series left against Boston and New York... they're pretty far from out.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:27 PM
------------
He's had a much better 2nd half (4.41 ERA) vs 1st half (7.71 ERA), he's had 7 quality starts in his last 10 outings and has pitched 6 games against the Yanks (2-0), Sox (2-0) and Tex (1-1). They got nothing back in return that helps the mlb team this year. I can't understand the move if they are trying to compete the rest of this year.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Both players Tampa recieved look pretty good. By the way if the red sox claimed Kazmir and tried to trade for him they would have to take someone off the 40 man roster to add him to the team and that would be difficult.
Posted by: NYYLastPlace4ever | August 28, 2009 at 03:40 PM
"If it is true, Jon Daniels and Theo Epstein are idiots"
How would this be a Theo blunder? And I'm not just saying that because I'm a Sox fan. Texas taking the wild card is more likely than taking the division and the Angels face the Rangers in one final big series... if anything they allowed a team that's facing their top competition to be armed. Add to that, Kazmir hasn't exactly been stellar this season.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 28, 2009 at 03:40 PM
I corrected myself on that, cmac. But anyway-think about it. The Yankees just screwed the Sox out of a roster spot as it is. I know it would seem like the Rays would immediately pull back...but then again. He is making a lot of money and the Rays have voiced how they want to free up money. Do you think it's out of the realm of possibility that the Rays would have let him get away to free up that money and handcuff the Red Sox even more, both financially and with roster spots? I know this sounds very far-fetched...but really, this is baseball. Anything can happen.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:42 PM
It didn't say whether or not the Angels claimed Kazmir or whether Kazmir cleared waivers and thus allowing for a "free and clear" transaction. If the Angels did recently claim him then I'm shocked Boston didn't pick him first since they have a worse record than the Angels.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I say Epstein is dumb because the Red Sox need starting pitching. They still have a lot of uncertainty regarding the last three spots in their rotation and acquiring a guy like Kazmir would go a long way towards solidifying that. True they just got Wakefield back, but what if his back flares up again? Or what if Buchholz or Tazawa start to slump? I would have claimed him to add another solid starter to the rotation
Posted by: boomshwa12 | August 28, 2009 at 03:46 PM
So I guess Tampa is throwing in the towel on the year?
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM
------------
Yeah I dont get either. I love it though.
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | August 28, 2009 at 03:48 PM
Done deal.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/angels_blog/2009/08/angels-trade-for-rays-scott-kazmir.html
Posted by: CarniifeX | August 28, 2009 at 03:50 PM
The Yankees just screwed the Sox out of a roster spot as it is. I know it would seem like the Rays would immediately pull back...but then again. He is making a lot of money and the Rays have voiced how they want to free up money. Do you think it's out of the realm of possibility that the Rays would have let him get away to free up that money and handcuff the Red Sox even more, both financially and with roster spots? I know this sounds very far-fetched...but really, this is baseball. Anything can happen.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 03:42 PM
I'm a Sox fan. I'd much rather have Kazmir starting games for us in a pennant race than Junichi Tazawa. Roster problem solved. Based on the prices I pay for the tickets and concessions in and around Fenway and the payroll the Sox have carried for the last number of years and the fact they've sold out about 550 games in a row, I can guarantee they can afford and would have gladly taken on Kazmir's salary and the roster crunch it would have triggered.
Posted by: cmac1973 | August 28, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Boom I know what your saying and the sox need sp but what if the red sox did claim him? More than likely the rays would of pulled him back then trade him in the offseason because why would you trade him to a division rival
Posted by: NYYLastPlace4ever | August 28, 2009 at 03:58 PM
But you're counting on him being great again. Tazawa just isn't ready to pitch yet-same for Bowden as we saw. Kazmir has dropped off, what, 3-4mph off his main pitch? That's a disaster waiting to happen.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 04:00 PM
Any mention of this deal has been pulled off of mlb dot com. I wonder why?
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 04:02 PM
True, but if the Sox take the wild card then they will more than likely play the Angels in the first round, and have to face him this year. Of course that's assuming a little bit, but that's the way the standings are right now. Even if the Rays did pull him back, they wouldn't have to worry about facing him in the playoffs
Posted by: boomshwa12 | August 28, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Kazmir was a stud under Mike Butcher (The angels pitching coach). When Butcher left Kazmir struggled. There could be a solution there. Also the Angels dont make this move unless they think htey know something that someone doest. You know how they value their prospects.
Posted by: BK | August 28, 2009 at 04:03 PM
Scott Kazmir has been traded and no one told him...real classy Tampa front office...real classy
Posted by: RickJames2213 | August 28, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Posted by: RickJames2213 | August 28, 2009 at 04:04 PM
---------
"I'm rich beyatch"!!
Sorry...slipped.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Scott Kazmir has been traded and no one told him...real classy Tampa front office...real classy
Can you believe this? Poor Kazmir. Rays are losers!
Posted by: terry180 | August 28, 2009 at 04:13 PM
his name is wade davis, he will be better than kazmir. great trade rays!
Posted by: celtics464 | August 28, 2009 at 04:21 PM
mlb.com says the deal has fallen through.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090828&content_id=6663260&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Posted by: Cardsfan387 | August 28, 2009 at 04:24 PM
No one is taking on money right now...not even the Red Sox and Yankees. Texas couldn't claim him because they're already strapped for cash...they ask MLB for help and couldn't trade for Halladay because of it.
Kazmir has lost some velocity, has control issues and rarely gets past 5 innings. His contract is for what the next 4 years? You're not going to be able to trade him next year either.
Seems like a good move for Anaheim...worth the risk hoping he improves. Tampa might be able to keep Crawford now or another player because of this.
Posted by: timmuh15 | August 28, 2009 at 04:26 PM
No deal now...this is rich! LOL
Posted by: RickJames2213 | August 28, 2009 at 04:26 PM
No deal? I'm an Angel fan and I say good. Torres looks like a great prospect, and is moving through the organization just how you like to see, slow and steady, putting up similar numbers at each stop.
Posted by: Patrick | August 28, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Deal back on...wonder if Kazmir knows??
Posted by: RickJames2213 | August 28, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Hope this deal is dead. Kazmir is one of my favorite pitchers and I hate the Angels, but I do indeed love the Sox knocking them out every year.
Posted by: fitz | August 28, 2009 at 04:45 PM
So how does this help the Rays again? They get rid of an above-average pitcher while not creating any salary space at all? I'm confused.
Posted by: THEBIGFISH99 | August 28, 2009 at 04:49 PM
I'm taking it that this means the Angels are not bringing back Lackey after this season......
Posted by: turnthe2 | August 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM
So how does this help the Rays again? They get rid of an above-average pitcher while not creating any salary space at all? I'm confused.
Posted by: THEBIGFISH99 | August 28, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Im not getting what you aren't getting. They save 20 million or so, plus get two prospects.
Posted by: Keep Swinging Frenchie | August 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM
The Angels are paying the rest of his contract, that's how Tampa is creating salary space.
Posted by: Koby | August 28, 2009 at 04:52 PM
My bad I didn't really read the post. When it said no money was changing hands I thought that it meant that the Rays were still paying the contract. I'm dumb. Sorry.
Posted by: THEBIGFISH99 | August 28, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I dont think this is any indication of Lackey plans. Kazmir is certainly not John Lackey.
Posted by: BK | August 28, 2009 at 04:56 PM
"I'm taking it that this means the Angels are not bringing back Lackey after this season......
Posted by: turnthe2 | August 28, 2009 at 04:51 PM"
I can See Arte Moreno breaking the bank this offseason.
Holliday, Lackey, Harden and BP help.
Maybe Manny if he opts out.
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | August 28, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Yeah BK, Kazmir is better than Lackey.
Sucks he's going to the Angels. Here's hoping for another first round sweep.
Posted by: fitz | August 28, 2009 at 05:05 PM
661dodgerblue
I doubt Manny will opt out. No team will give him the amount of money that the Dodgers will next year while still giving him a good shot at a ring.
Posted by: THEBIGFISH99 | August 28, 2009 at 05:09 PM
"Yeah BK, Kazmir is better than Lackey.
Sucks he's going to the Angels. Here's hoping for another first round sweep.
Posted by: fitz | August 28, 2009 at 05:05 PM"
This is some sick Boston joke right?
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | August 28, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Fitz. You jealous pathetic dusche. Lackey is a stud. Dude has been almost unhittable his last 10 starts. Halo's have the two things every championship team has. Old leadership/But their best hitters are youngins (Morales, Aybar, Rivera) and a good storyline (Adenhart's tragedy and a ton of injuries.) Email me in two months and I will buy you the SI Angels World Series commemorative book. It comes with an SI hat too.
Posted by: BK | August 28, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Kazmir is an overpaid, injury-prone pitcher that has regressed considerably over the last 2 seasons. His velocity is way down and his xFIP is 5.20. The Rays felt they couldn't rely on this guy in the future, and I would have to agree.
Posted by: Fullmer Fan | August 28, 2009 at 05:13 PM
BK, 11 ER in his last 2 starts doesn't equal unhittable. I'll mail you a box of tissues in 5 weeks when the Angels are out in the first round again.
Posted by: fitz | August 28, 2009 at 05:14 PM
If Theo did want him, dont you think the rays would want a lot more say then from the halos since he would be in the same division?
Posted by: chowdah | August 28, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Only a win for the Angels if Kazmir can keep his ERA around 4 (last 10 starts have been around 4.5). Otherwise this is a steep price to pay in terms of prospects and money for him.
Still got to love the chance to pick up a guy who consistently sports an ERA around 3.5 and K's a batter an inning, is a lefty, and is just 25. $10m/year for Kazmir won't impact the Angels budget much. He's either 2/22 or 3/32.
If he can return to any semblence of his old self the Angels are going to be very hard to beat.
Posted by: bjsguess | August 28, 2009 at 05:55 PM
As a Yankee fan the Angels are probably the only team I fear. They seem to have this "we can find a way to beat you" aura about them. If they get Kazmir they become a little tougher to beat.
Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | August 28, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Nice deal for the Angels. The guys got great stuff and has succeeded at the ML level and is still plenty young enough to develop into a legitimate ace. We'll see what happens, though.
Posted by: B3NG4L | August 28, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Could this be the pitching equivalent of the Angels' trade for Teixeira? I sure hope not.
Posted by: Jeremy | August 28, 2009 at 06:24 PM
As a Yankees fan this isn't a good thing, Kazmir is a proven performer having an off year and the change of scenery might help. Career 3.92 and 55 wins and 44 loses pitching in the AL east for the past 5 years or so, where the Rays only had 1 winning season. If this deal acutally goes thru, it's a solid pick up for the Angels.
Posted by: Maddoniz | August 28, 2009 at 07:13 PM
If the Angels sign Lackey next year, we'll have an awesome rotation:
1.Lackey RHP
2.Jered Weaver RHP
3.Joes Saunders LHP
4.Ervin Santana RHP
5.Scott Kazmir LHP
That'll give us time to let Sean O'Sullivan, Trevor Bell, & Trevor Reckling to develop who all started in AA this year.
Even better trade right now. Our pitching staff is under acheiveing this year and we just need some who can eat innings in that 5th spot. Trevor Bell & Sean O'Sullivan's combined innings in their last starts in 2 1/3 innings.
Posted by: cuscus85 | August 28, 2009 at 07:23 PM
the kazmir deal has fallen through
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090828&content_id=6663260&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | August 28, 2009 at 07:37 PM
lakersdodgersyankees4life...
Reports from every other major source say otherwise and the previous story on this site has multiple reports of the trade being on, made, and an announcement scheduled for after the Rays vs. Tigers game sometimes after 10pm ET.
Nice try, lol.
Posted by: XxRyana.k.a.RufusxX | August 28, 2009 at 07:57 PM
To the Sox and Yankees fans who are questioning why your teams didn't claim him, it's probably because the Rays were reluctant to trade him to anyone in the division.
Posted by: Josh Amaral | August 28, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Even if they would not have traded him within the division you still block the trade. You have to know that the Rays wouldn't just let him go for cash, especially to a team they are competing against.
Posted by: bjsguess | August 28, 2009 at 08:06 PM
The Rays' reluctant to trade in their own Division is likely only partially true.
Kazmir to the Angels is just as bad of a risk since the Wild Card can put the Rays in a position to face the Angels in the playoffs -- something which could have happened in the ALCS last October.
I think logistics on the part of every other AL contender besides the Angels had much more to do with the Angels' ability to get their hands on Scott Kazmir.
Or maybe that's more of a rationalized way of saying the Angels just got lucky, lol.
Posted by: XxRyana.k.a.RufusxX | August 28, 2009 at 08:11 PM
"To the Sox and Yankees fans who are questioning why your teams didn't claim him, it's probably because the Rays were reluctant to trade him to anyone in the division.
Posted by: Josh Amaral | August 28, 2009 at 07:58 PM"
It isn't even that. The Yankees and Red Sox didn't claim him because he isn't worth that contract in their perspective. Kazmir cleared waivers - which means the Rays could trade him to ANY team.
Posted by: B3NG4L | August 28, 2009 at 08:11 PM
great for my halos!! definetly needed another starter and ive always been a fan of kaz :D
Posted by: scooba_steve | August 28, 2009 at 09:26 PM
Physioc and Hudler just confirmed on the Angel telecast.
Posted by: AA | August 28, 2009 at 09:27 PM
angels will deff. pose a big threat to the yankees
Posted by: smurphism | August 28, 2009 at 10:04 PM
angels will deff. pose a big threat to the yankees
They always have. Really what it comes down to in order for the Yankees to win the World Series is for the players and pitchers all need to step up but I know that if the Yankees and Angels met in the playoffs it was going to be a dogfight no matter what.
Posted by: Tim | August 28, 2009 at 10:10 PM
If we get them at home for the majority, I'm not nearly as worried. We can beat the Angels in the playoffs with home-field advantage. Trust me.
Posted by: BaseballFan0707 | August 28, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Why even play the game?
Thanks to BaseballFan0707 I can just turn off the TV if the Angels face the Yankees at home. To think that some people believe that you actually have to play the game to determine the better team!
Posted by: bjsguess | August 28, 2009 at 10:28 PM
As a Yankees fan trying to find a silver lining...at least the Yanks have faced him quite a bit over the past 5 years. Maybe that will help the Yanks againist a team who has seemingly had their number for the past several years, those dreaded Angels. I guess we'll see come playoff time!
Posted by: Maddoniz | August 28, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Yankee fans should know as anybody by now that the playoffs are a crap-shoot.
Good trade for both teams IMO. Kaz should help the angels the next few years and this allows the rays to re-sign crawford most likely.
Doesn't seem like our buddies at Draysbay are too happy though
Posted by: metsknicksrutgers | August 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Yanks wont have to face the angels this year in the postseason and we all know the Sox own the Angels and will kick their ass again. Then the Yankees will kick the Sox ass cuz they own them. Then they will kill whatever weak NL team is in the WS. Peace!
Posted by: yanksrule | August 29, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Wow, so this officially means kaz was a bust. I makes the whole kazmir zambrano thing cool down a bit
Posted by: johan is GOD | August 28, 2009 at 03:14 PM
this has got to be the worst/funniest post i have ever read. just because Kazmir was traded does not mean that the original kazmir/zambrano trade wasnt one of, if not, the worst trades ever. Kazmir is young talented, good stuff, has world series experience and zambrano is probably flippin burgers somewhere in Venezuela
Posted by: bozbot | August 29, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Rays Index is saying that the PTBNL will be someone on the Angels 40 man roster. Brandon Wood's name is mentioned. Don't see Longo going anywhere. Do you let Aki go in the offseason and play Wood at 2B?
Posted by: Rangerfan | August 29, 2009 at 09:58 AM