The latest on the Angels, who lost three of four games against the Royals over the weekend…
- Though Angels manager Mike Scioscia says he’ll consider making changes to the pitching staff, Scott Kazmir’s job is safe for now, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The $12MM left-hander is on a “short leash,” but he’ll make at least one more start.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains that there’s not much room for optimism when it comes to Kazmir or Marlins starter Javier Vazquez. I recently compared Kazmir to another well-paid left-hander who experienced early-career success, Oliver Perez.
- Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles also weighs in on Kazmir's struggles and explains that Triple-A starters Matt Palmer and Trevor Bell are alternatives for the Angels to consider. They are looking out for end-of-rotation help and possibly a veteran reliever, according to Saxon.
As a Mariners fan, and Angels anti-fan, I hope Kazmir pitches just well enough to keep his job over the rest of this year.
Because that would help the Mariners any… As an Angels fan I hope the Mariners play as expected, for last.
That would also include the Angels playing as expected and being the third place team right?
Can Michael Young pitch? He can’t be any worse than Kazmir.
Vazquez should have a better year.
You didn’t see the Met game? Smh
Kazmir looks like he has “outside issues” that are effecting his game.
Having your next performance determine if you will be cut or not puts a lot of extra pressure on a player. Especially when its at a position that needs to be mentally prepared before game time.
Kazmir – DFA by May. Rodney relegated to mop-up duty by the same with Walden and Downs sharing the closer role. Bell and Palmer share turn #5 in the rotation and spot start duty.
It makes so much sense that it probably won’t happen.
As a Blue Jays fan, I can tell you that they don’t want Downs closing. He’d be injured in no time. The guy is great in his role- but has no athleticism.
I don’t get it. Closing doesn’t take any added athleticism over a set-up guy…
you have to run out of the bullpen faster and with more authority.
Hilarious… Possibly because it’s true
Shouldn’t Rod Beck have been in better shape then?
too soon
And select music. That’s pretty taxing, going through all of those CDs.
I didn’t say it did. He just can’t stay healthy, and you can’t count on him. He was great for The Jays, but his toe problems and other injuries were ridiculous.
Maybe I phrased my reply confusingly.
anyone think that someone like dave duncan can straighten someone like kazimir out? stl needs pitching.
I don’t think even Jesu…Dave Duncan can fix what’s wrong with Kazmir.
Kazmir completely lost his stuff. He’s like Oliver Perez without the hate
As an Astros fan, I’m pretty sure Dave Duncan can turn any old scrap-heap pitcher into a legitimate starter. That said, when it comes to Kazmir, I’m not so sure.
Kaz needs to go to Pittsburgh. He’ll either figure it out and they’ll have something good, or he can retire like everyone does when they get cut by the Pirates.
I have more faith in Charlie Morton turning it around than Kazmir, and that says a very lot.
As a Cubs fan, I’d take a flyer on Scott Kazmir. We also have an underachieving soon to be expiring 12M player who could use a change of scenery. I could see a Kazmir-Fukudome deal and something that might help both teams and both players. Angels might need something extra thrown in since Kazmir is younger than Fukudome but I wouldn’t throw in more than a low minor league prospect.
The angels don’t need another overpaid outfielder.
And the Cubs don’t need another overpaid pitcher.
The angels don’t need another overpaid outfielder.
Well maybe Bourjos is getting paid a LITTLE too much..
I think Sarge Junior is getting Bourjos’ salary from the Angels this year….
The Cubs have a full staff they like this year and interesting options waiting in the minors. That’s not to say I or they think all of those guys will work out. But there’s really no reason for them to block those guys with a $12MM guy who’s stinking it up.
Even if Kazmir turned it around as a Cub, they’d be stuck with the choices of a) extending him to reward his revived success or b) letting him walk away and pitch for someone else in 2012, their projected next year to seriously contend. There’s nothing in it for them to try him at this point. Let someone else pay through the nose to see if he can rebound.
We’ll take him.
Thanks,
B. Cashman
any chance this guy could be a reliever at this point? i always thought someone should have tried him as closer or lefty-eighth inning. focusing on fewer pitches could have tightened his whole game
thats what he will have to be resorting too if he wants to get signed after this year….
i feel bad for the guy but…what are ya gonna do
i wouldn’t mind that or trade him to PIT for Neil walker or their reveler that throws 98mph