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Dodgers Sign Scott Kazmir

By Steve Adams | December 30, 2015 at 2:58pm CDT

The Dodgers announced on Wednesday that they have signed left-hander Scott Kazmir to a three-year contract. The contract will reportedly guarantee Kazmir a total of $48MM, but he also obtains an opt-out clause after the first season, and there are reportedly deferrals in the deal. Kazmir is said to receive a $5MM signing bonus and a $3MM salary in 2016, with annual payments of $8MM in each of the next five seasons (or, in the case of an opt out, a second payment of $8MM next year).

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Kazmir, a client of The Legacy Agency, will fill a void in the Dodgers’ rotation and give them yet another lefty starter to pair with Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Alex Wood and, if healthy, Hyun-jin Ryu, creating the potential for an entirely left-handed starting five.

In Kazmir, the Dodgers will secure some rotation stability that has eluded them to this point in the offseason. Los Angeles aggressively pursued a reunion with 2015 Cy Young runner-up Zack Greinke but lost out on their co-ace to an eleventh-hour push from the division-rival Diamondbacks. When that deal fell through, L.A. made a strong push for Hisashi Iwakuma and agreed to terms at three years and $45MM, but concerns about his physical prompted the Dodgers to try to restructure the deal. With that hefty guarantee no longer on the table, Iwakuma returned to Seattle on a one-year deal with a pair of vesting options, sending the Dodgers back to the drawing board.

Kazmir, 32 next month, was one of the top remaining starters on the market and should provide the Dodgers with a sizable upgrade over their internal options to round out the rotation. Formerly one of the game’s most promising young pitchers, Kazmir’s career went south in a hurry last decade due to myriad injuries, and he was absent from Major League Baseball entirely from 2011-12 with the exception of 1 2/3 innings with the Angels. However, Kazmir reinvented himself on the independent circuit and emerged with the Indians in 2013 to throw 158 quality innings. That prompted a two-year deal with Oakland, which he completed in 2015 (as a member of the Astros, following a trade).

Since returning to the Majors, Kazmir has compiled a 3.54 ERA with 8.1 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a ground-ball rate of roughly 43 percent. He’s faded down the stretch somewhat in each of the past two seasons but delivered an overall strong body of work in that time, positioning himself for a sizable commitment on the open market. Kazmir reportedly had multiple three-year offers in the range of $13MM annually, but he was able to secure not only a larger annual value but an opt-out clause. While he was said to be hoping for four guaranteed years, the opt-out clause could potentially make this contract more valuable than a four-year pact anyhow, as Kazmir will now have the opportunity to enter the 2016-17 market as perhaps the second-best starter available, trailing Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg. If, on the other hand, injuries sideline him or he struggles in his first-ever taste of the National League, Kazmir can still collect a hefty guarantee for the 2016-17 seasons. From the Dodgers’ vantage point, the silver lining in the event of an opt-out after just one season would be compensation in the form of a 2017 draft pick, assuming Kazmir rejects a qualifying offer.

Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times reported the guarantee (Twitter link). Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was the first to report the opt-out clause (Twitter link). Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted that Kazmir’s salaries would be deferred evenly over a six-year term.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Newsstand Transactions Scott Kazmir

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NL Notes: Dews, Nationals, Desmond, Baez, Reds
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166 Comments

  1. Ekostuke

    10 years ago

    Took you a while

    Reply
  2. mdbaseball05

    10 years ago

    Still wish the Mariners would have just signed him instead of giving up Smith for Miley.

    Reply
    • kingfelix34

      10 years ago

      Miley will better in the long term

      Reply
      • A'sfaninUK

        10 years ago

        lol no he wont, Carson Smith is a boss who should be closing for years to come.

        Reply
        • mdbaseball05

          10 years ago

          Totally agree. A big price for someone with an ERA over 4 the last two years. And, add in Elias on top of Smith, and it makes it worse.

          This almost could have been Miley straight up for Elias, and even with that, I would keep Elias.

          Reply
        • Ray Ray

          10 years ago

          Or he could be another in the long line of relievers that flame out after early success. No one knows, it’s all a guessing game.

          Reply
        • dlevin11

          10 years ago

          Thank you Seattle for giving us Smith and Elias for a .500 pitcher in Miley.

          Reply
          • kingfelix34

            10 years ago

            Just watch, Smith will hurt his elbow and require tommy John, Elias will be a 6th starter all year, while Miley pitches all year with an era below 3.25.

            Reply
          • mookiessnarl

            10 years ago

            Please tell me you’re not basing Miley’s value on something as arbitrary as win loss record. Fair trade for both sides. Mariners got a back of the rotation innings eater. Sox got a very good 7th inning guy. The other two were below average throw ins.

            Reply
            • kingfelix34

              10 years ago

              Miley is moving to one of the best pitchers parks in baseball, pitchers that have average career stats tend to do better in safeco

              Reply
          • bigkempin

            10 years ago

            ERA/FIP/ERA+ all peg Miley as a 3-4 starter…..who is cost controlled for the next 3 seasons at about $27M total. In this market that is a huge steal.

            Reply
    • kingfelix34

      10 years ago

      I meant Miley better than kazmire

      Reply
      • bigkempin

        10 years ago

        And Kazmir only required money whereas Miley cost 2 young pitchers and his contract.

        Reply
        • kingfelix34

          10 years ago

          How much money do you think the Mariners have?

          Reply
          • Lance

            10 years ago

            it’s not always a question of how much money they have but often a question of how much they’re willing to spend.

            Reply
  3. tommyl

    10 years ago

    Five lefties? You didn’t mention Wood above as fifth starter. Probably will still get Maeda.

    Reply
    • dodgersfansd

      10 years ago

      Who cares!!! They finally made some noise!!!

      Reply
    • The Oregonian

      10 years ago

      They’ve got lots of starting options now, doubt they will add Maeda. But I’ve doubted a few things would happen this offseason that happened, so.

      Reply
      • tommyl

        10 years ago

        I think they still need Maeda. Ryu still a question. I’d put the chances of that 5-man lefty rotation all being healthy at the same time at about 20%, Stick in Maeda and if, miracles of miracles, the six are all healthy at the same time, Wood could be moved to the pen..

        Teams need six solid starters.

        Reply
        • A'sfaninUK

          10 years ago

          Brandon McCarthy comes back in June.

          Reply
          • tommyl

            10 years ago

            maybe, maybe not.

            Reply
          • BlueSkyLA

            10 years ago

            Just like that other Brandon…

            Reply
        • BlueSkyLA

          10 years ago

          Agree they still need Maeda. An all lefty rotation doesn’t do much for me. Also wonder if makes much sense for Wood to become the casualty of an overloaded rotation. Does he really pencil out to be the less attractive choice compared to Kazmir? Wood’s real value in this setup might be his ability to be optioned.

          Reply
  4. tommyl

    10 years ago

    err… yes you did. edit.

    Reply
  5. boss61

    10 years ago

    I really wanted him for the Orioles.

    Reply
    • leavejackburtonalone

      10 years ago

      The Orioles wouldn’t have done the Opt out clause. A lot of guys go to the Dodgers and pitch very well in that ballpark and division. Now he can have a great season and build up more value, opt out and cash in even more next off season.

      Reply
      • hanks1hammer

        10 years ago

        You know the guy turns 32 before the season starts, right? I think the Dodgers would prefer over paying for one year rather than commit for 5 years and pay for 2 or 3 years of garbage.

        Reply
  6. dodgersfansd

    10 years ago

    Finally!!! What took Andrew and Squad so long!!!

    Reply
    • Cam

      10 years ago

      It’s still 2015. The season doesn’t start for a while.

      Reply
  7. bruinlife33

    10 years ago

    This guy chokes when it counts. Awful in September and October.

    Reply
    • MB923

      10 years ago

      Better (or let’s say, Less Awful) in the postseason than David Price though.

      Reply
    • NL_East_Rivalry

      10 years ago

      Doubt the Dodgers are picking him up for October, so it’s a decent deal in my eyes.

      Reply
    • bigkempin

      10 years ago

      Over his career Sept/Oct is his 3rd best stretch (3.68 ERA)

      Reply
    • Ray Ray

      10 years ago

      Then he will fit in perfectly in LA.

      Reply
    • Lance

      10 years ago

      Kershaw hasn’t done well in post season, either. But so what? You need good people to get you to the playoffs.

      Reply
  8. Brixton

    10 years ago

    Kershaw, Kazmir, Wood, Ryu and Anderson isn’t a bad rotation.
    They have the top farm system in baseball, plus 4 more first rounders this year.

    Montas and Yadi Alvarez for Miller?

    Reply
    • holecamels35

      10 years ago

      Well built for a first round exit. Kershaw blows it in the 7th game one and none of the other guys scare anyone in October.

      Reply
      • dutch91701

        10 years ago

        I would’ve thought that the more educated readership that MLBTR attracts would spare me from the “Kershaw chokes” nonsense, but apparently not.

        Reply
    • Dodgerdawgs 2

      10 years ago

      I doubt Yadi Alvarez is going anywhere after just getting $16 million bonus

      Reply
      • vtadave

        10 years ago

        Well look at Hector Olivera. Dodgers would certainly not hesitate to deal Alvarez in the RIGHT deal.

        Reply
  9. SFgiantsUK

    10 years ago

    Hallelujah Congratualtions, we signed an Ace to be out No.2 and a No.2 to be our Middle rotation guy. And LAD sign Scott Kazmir to replace Grienke.

    That LAD fan who loves saying, “you just wait!”, on this forum, must be shaking his head as well.

    Go on Dodgers, construct a World Series winning team!!!

    Reply
    • Brixton

      10 years ago

      Now all the Giants need is an outfielder or 3.
      Pence is always hurt, Pagan maybe the worse CFer in baseball, and Blanco never played everyday for an entire season.

      Since when is Jeff Samardzija a #2? His ERA was 5 last year.

      Reply
      • Deelron

        10 years ago

        Pence had 600+ from 2008 to 2014, until his arm was broken by a pitch in spring training. I’ll take that kind of always hurt!

        Reply
      • Kapler's Coconut Oil

        10 years ago

        Define always? He had the longest streak of games played prior to last season, to think he’s injury prone now is just ignorant.

        Reply
      • jeheinz72

        10 years ago

        That’s just devoid of facts. Not to mention the Pence part just being wrong, Blanco has also averaged 135 games/year since becoming a Giant.

        Pagan is horrible though LOL – but that’s why they’ll get Fowler once his market dries up on a 1-year make-good deal similar to this one for Kazmir

        Reply
      • Kaboosh

        10 years ago

        “Pence is always hurt”
        You’re joking right?

        Reply
      • Acuña Matata

        10 years ago

        You’re forgetting the team backing up Samardzija last season was not very good. He now has an infield composed almost entirely of gold glovers (past/present/future). That ERA is dropping

        Reply
        • bigkempin

          10 years ago

          Samardjiza is a flyball prone pitcher. Moving to ATT will help though.

          Reply
        • hanks1hammer

          10 years ago

          So then how do you explain his 4.23 FIP? Sure, his FIP is indicating that he wasnt as bad as his 4.96 ERA indicates, but a 4.23 FIP is still bad. Ya, it’ll come down some because of defense and it’ll get some park adjustment, but then, so will every pitcher that pitches for the Dodgers, Padres and Giants who ALL play in pitcher friendly parks. When three teams that all play in pitcher friendly parks in the same division have their ERA lowered because if it, its not as impressive.

          Reply
          • Acuña Matata

            10 years ago

            Or you could look at his FIP as an aberration. Especially seeing how it was over a point higher than any of his previous seasons as a starter. Or you can just look at that ONE season and sum up good ol Jeff. I’d prefer the aberration instead of a generalization from one lackluster season with a lackluster team in a lackluster division.

            Reply
          • mrnatewalter

            10 years ago

            On the FIP and playing in a pitchers park: Ian Kennedy had a 4.51 playing half of his innings at Petco. The park factor helps, but it’s not a guarantee.

            Also, regarding FIP. A “below average” FIP (as defined by Fangraphs) has deferred teams yet. Samardzija (4.23) got $18M/yr, Leake (4.20) got $16. Chen (4.17) will get around the same, Kennedy (4.51) will get a lot. Kazmir (3.98) although better than 4.20, is not supremely better, and also got $16M.

            I don’t know where that leaves us except to say that teams aren’t seeming to care as much.

            Reply
      • sfgiants408

        10 years ago

        Pence is always hurt? That is laughably false and ignorant to even say that. Almost as much saying Blanco has never been an everyday player, he’s played 140+ games in 4 separate seasons in his career. The only point you may be right about is Pagan. 1 out of 3 probably isn’t bad for you though probably.

        Reply
      • mrnatewalter

        10 years ago

        1. Pence was hurt last year. That’s it.
        2. Blanco has had at least 350+ PAs in each season with the Giants.
        3. Samardzija is not viewed as a #2 by the Giants. Hence their signing of Johnny Cueto.

        Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      10 years ago

      Go on Giants fans, construct some class!!!

      (impossible apparently)

      The Dodgers havent won since 1988 and you all act like they are actual rivals? Its time to move on, they dont care as much as you.

      Reply
      • chicothekid

        10 years ago

        By class do you mean a fan base that makes it unsafe for other fans to come to the games, or parking lot?

        or did you mean a franchise that stands by one of the dirtiest plays in postseason history which could have ended a young player’s career?

        I’m a little confused and not sure what you mean.

        Reply
        • dutch91701

          10 years ago

          Getting drunk and running your mouth is potentially unsafe anywhere.

          Reply
        • DodgerBlue83

          10 years ago

          Yea, Dodgers fan should be more like Giants fans. Instead of beating a guy up in the parking lot, they should stab and kill him instead like what happened to Jonathan Denver

          Reply
    • tommyl

      10 years ago

      Shark and Cueto? Please. You do realize the current Giant rotation, minus Bum, had an ERA of about 5 for the second half last year..

      Reply
      • Kapler's Coconut Oil

        10 years ago

        The 2014 Giants proved that all you need is a hot first half to get you into the postseason and Bumgarner will take care of the rest.

        Reply
        • disgruntledreader 2

          10 years ago

          Banking on a once-in-a decade sort of performance every-other-year seems like a good plan!

          Reply
      • jeheinz72

        10 years ago

        I didn’t realize it – since it’s not true. Peavy was 8-2 with a 3.31 ERA. For all of Cueto’s “problems” he was at 3.80. And if you don’t think Cueto will bounce back from a rough patch, then you must hate this Kazmir deal if you’re a Dodger fan

        Reply
        • tommyl

          10 years ago

          From Baseball Essential: While the rotation is now composed of big names — Madison Bumgarner, Cueto, Samardzija, Jake Peavy, Matt Cain, and Chris Heston — it’s not as strong as it appears. In the second half of last season, those six starters combined for a less-than-inspiring 4.46 ERA. Even worse, if you take out Bumgarner’s stellar performance, the rest of the group had a 4.93 ERA, which would have ranked fourth-highest in the major leagues.

          Reply
          • mrnatewalter

            10 years ago

            For how much stock you put on the second half, Kazmir’s time with Houston should really scare you. Yikes.

            Reply
      • chri

        10 years ago

        Honestly the only good season Shark had was 2014. Outside of that season he never had more than 1.6 WAR in a season (ESPN).

        Hard to argue with a team that has won 3 rings in the last six years, but they paid Shark on potential, not performance (never mind the fact that FO has already whiffed on the Cain/Lincecum extensions)

        Reply
        • mrnatewalter

          10 years ago

          1. Per Fangraphs, Samardzija has had a WAR of 2.7 or higher every year since 2012. Fangraphs puts more stock into FIP than Baseball-Reference (which is used by ESPN). That’s more than 1 good season.

          2. I don’t mind the Cain or Lincecum extensions, because a) it’s not my money and b) the Giants realize baseball is entertainment, and they like to bring back fan favorites. I have no problem with that.

          Reply
          • bigkempin

            10 years ago

            They’re putting more stock into a made up stat. You can say….well this guy had an ERA of 4 but his FIP was 2.8 so he’s a stud. But fielders will always have an influence on the ball. Go by fangraphs WAR and compare his 2013/2015. FIP is based off of the outcomes of the pitcher and not fielders. His ERA/FIP was about half run lower in 2013. He struck out far more hitters in 2013, allowed less H/9, walked about 1 more batter per 9, allowed less HR/9, and had an 89 ERA+.. Despite 2013 being the obvious better season (2015 79 ERA+) both seasons he was worth 2.7 wins. baseball-reference has those seasons as .8 WAR and .1 WAR. Which seems more accurate?

            Reply
          • hanks1hammer

            10 years ago

            I also put stock in metrics. FIP is one of the good indicators you can use. Sharks FIP was 4.23. He is almost certainly better than his 4.96 ERA but let’s be clear; a 4.23 FIP is bad.

            Reply
    • rycm131

      10 years ago

      I’m a Giants fan and find this ridiculous. Jeff S could be the next Barry Zito contract for us and there was a reason Cueto wasn’t snatched up very quickly.

      Reply
      • mrnatewalter

        10 years ago

        “there was a reason Cueto wasn’t snatched up very quickly”

        I’m curious to hear your rationale on Cespedes, Gordon, and Upton if you’re using this logic.

        Reply
    • bigkempin

      10 years ago

      Shark’s career 96 ERA+ means he’s slightly below average….how do you equate that to him being a #2?

      Reply
    • SemihAutomatic

      10 years ago

      Shark, with his career 4.09 ERA and 3.84 FIP, is a number two starter huh? How bout his K/9 that dropped for 8.28 to 6.86, or maybe his BB/9 that rose by .30 points? He’s a solid middle of the rotation guy that got overpaid based on one great season.

      In fact, since the start of the 2013 season, Kazmir has a lower ERA, lower FIP, higher K/9 and 1.3 less fWAR than Shark in 116 less innings. So if you go by the actual numbers and not just, you know, your biased opinion as a Giants’ fan, Kazmir has not only been the better pitcher (albeit, less durable) but is also a better vaule at 3/48 (with a first year out that is likely to be utilized) than Shark at 5/90.

      And just to keep bursting your bubble, Cueto certainly isn’t an ace.either. He’s still very good, and forms a daunting 1-2 punch with MadBum at the top of the Giants’ rotation, but his luck finally faded in 2015 as his BABIP finally rose to a somewhat normal .281 (first time since 2010 that it was over .250) and his defense stopped propelling him higher. His 3.41 FIP since 2011 (over which time, his ERA is 2.71) is more emblematic of his ability. I’m willing to bet the Giants’ defense will hide Cueto’s mistakes well, but aces don’t need their defenses to carry them.

      Reply
      • mrnatewalter

        10 years ago

        His BB/9 did raise by .30 points from 2014 to 2015, but dropped significantly from the numbers he used to put up (3.29 in 2013, 2.89 in 2012, and I’ll leave it at his numbers as a starter).

        Reply
        • SemihAutomatic

          10 years ago

          I’m in no way condemning his BB/9, it was more to the point that he regressed in essentially every major area last year. His walk numbers are very good.

          Reply
          • mrnatewalter

            10 years ago

            Then again, so did Kazmir’s, minus the ERA.

            Reply
          • SemihAutomatic

            10 years ago

            Kazmir really wasn’t that good last year, but he was essentially the same caliber pitcher as Shark: a solid mid-rotation starter.

            I was just trying to expose the flaw in the original comment, which was essentially laughing at the Dodgers for signing Kazmir to an appropriate contract but being pyshced that the Giants signed a “number 2” in Shark to a nearly-$100 million deal.

            Reply
          • mrnatewalter

            10 years ago

            I don’t agree for a second that Samardzija is a #2. I’ll definitely say that.

            Reply
    • SFgiantsUK

      10 years ago

      Wow, who knew a simple post would create such a debate….

      Well last season was last season, for all the people who believe Shark will be a 5 ERA in 2016, have no sense, in fact they think nonsense. It’s AT

      Reply
      • SemihAutomatic

        10 years ago

        Yeah, the people countering with real stats are the ones that think in nonsense, whereas you and your opinions reign supreme. LOL.

        Stick to the FB comment sections.

        Reply
    • underdog

      10 years ago

      Thanks for your non-partisan contributions here. 😉
      But seriously, who knows what will happen, but the Dodgers now have the best farm system in baseball – not just best, but deepest, as per MLB.com, BA, and MinorLeagueBall’s John Sickels. While obviously not all those guys will pan out, some of them will provide good help starting with 2016 (not just Corey seager, but in the pitching department with newly acquired Montas joining DeLeon, Stripling, Urias and Cotton, among others), along with an improved pen and a deep rotation. yes, the rotation doesn’t have two “bonafide aces” but they had two bonafide aces last year and didn’t escape the NLDS. The Royals won the WS last year and made it to the WS the year before, with a decent but unspectacular starting rotation (including no one like Kershaw) and a great pen, and a deep lineup. Nothing wrong with going to that model and reaching into a deep farm system rather than giving up your first draft picks and bloating payroll.

      But hey, keep laughing, I guess?

      Reply
      • vtadave

        10 years ago

        Hey look, someone with some sense! 🙂

        Royals’ big free agent signing last offseason was Edinson Volquez for 2 years, $20 million. They ended up doing okay.

        Reply
  10. gorav114

    10 years ago

    These opt out clauses are ridiculous. Players are going to be switching teams every year when good and the team is stuck when theyre bad

    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      10 years ago

      Never thought I’d see someone badmouth an opt out but here we are. There’s roughly a trillion more important things in MLB to care about than this.

      Big deal, players will change teams more often, thats how the game has been over the last 30 years, and the days of 1-team guys are largely over, it will take a miracle for players to stay with one team.

      Reply
      • mcdusty31

        10 years ago

        I think the point they are trying to bring to light is the fact that these opt outs are vastly in the player’s favor

        Reply
  11. A'sfaninUK

    10 years ago

    I wonder if this puts Maeda on Oakland’s radar – similar situation to when they got Cespedes.

    Reply
    • BlueSkyLA

      10 years ago

      Did they put up the $20M posting fee?

      Reply
    • bigkempin

      10 years ago

      The total cost for OAK to sign Cespedes was $36M. Maeda will be around $100M (including posting fee). It’s not happening.

      Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        10 years ago

        I doubt it will be quite that much. The fact that he was a star in Japan doesn’t mean a lot for what he gets here. He is likely to get paid as a mid-rotation starter with many questions hanging over him. Five years would be a lengthy commitment under the circumstances. No matter, I don’t think Oakland anted up the posting fee anyway.

        Reply
  12. stoi

    10 years ago

    How the heck did the Orioles not get this done. What a steal for the Dodgers. With the prices that other guys have commanded this offseason, this seems like absolute theft. Kazmir may be a #3 now, but that is still more valuable than what he will paid.

    Reply
    • leavejackburtonalone

      10 years ago

      The Orioles wouldn’t have done the Opt out clause. A lot of guys go to the Dodgers and pitch very well in that ballpark and division. Now he can have a great season opt out and cash in even more next off season.

      Reply
  13. chri

    10 years ago

    This deal does make the Dodgers rotation better, but 5 lefties??? Seems like overkill to be honest.

    Reply
    • tommyl

      10 years ago

      Interest that a few of these guys have reverse splits and actually have pitched better against righties.

      Reply
    • bigkempin

      10 years ago

      Anderson and Ryu are both question marks. I see them trying to package Wood in a trade for a top of the rotation type pitcher and signing Maeda

      Reply
  14. Phillies2017

    10 years ago

    I love the opt-out. Kazmir isn’t a surefire bet for 3-4 years down the road as he’s already 32, so if he excels this season, he can opt-out and the Dodgers won’t have to worry about an aging starter making $16m annually.

    Reply
    • chri

      10 years ago

      The opt-out is risky for the Dodgers.

      One one hand he could have a great season, walk, then the young guys like Urias/deLeon etc. are not blocked.

      On the other hand, Kazmir could get injured/ or become ineffective then the Dodgers have another McCarthy type contract on their hands

      Reply
      • Phillies2017

        10 years ago

        either way, they’re paying him for 2017 regardless

        Reply
      • cxcx

        10 years ago

        Yeah, that they could be stuck paying him if he gets bad isn’t the downside of the opt-out, it’s the downside of the large guaranteed contract.

        The downside of the opt-out is that they could lose his age 33 and 34 seasons of he has a strong year this year and they aren’t willing to guarantee him next offseason through his age 35 or age 36. That isn’t really a downside at all, as letting him sign with another team gives him the same or less chance to get his 33 and 34 seasons.

        Reply
  15. Phillies2017

    10 years ago

    so it’s essentially a 6 year $48,000,000 deal. I don’t get this deferring payroll. It makes no sense to me. Yea, it clears space for other assets for now, but what about when Seager and those guys start rising in price–it just proves to be a pain. I assume that’s why Kazmir signed this deal-(and the opt out probably helped)

    Reply
    • Acuña Matata

      10 years ago

      48 million spread out over 6 years for a franchise worth in excess of 2 billion really isn’t that big of a deal… Lol if Scott Kazmir is the reason the Dodgers can’t afford Seager ill die laughing

      Reply
    • bigkempin

      10 years ago

      It’s incentive for him to opt out if pitches good. Realistically LA doesn’t want him taking up a rotation slot for 4 seasons.

      Reply
    • Steve Adams

      10 years ago

      The deferrals make it worse for Kazmir and better for the team, because $8MM in 2021 is worth less than $8MM in present-day dollars and less than $8MM will be worth in 2018.

      Kazmir signed this deal because he got close to as much money as he probably could’ve gotten with a four-year guarantee and because the opt-out is pure upside. He can hit the open market as the No. 2 or No. 3 free-agent starter next winter and land a four-year deal with a comparable, if not greater annual value, assuming good health.

      Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        10 years ago

        Agree, but it seems like the deferrals are a big part of this story. This is a technique often used by teams with very limited financial resources. The Dodgers aren’t one of those teams, are they?

        Reply
      • JoeyPankake

        10 years ago

        But if he plays the three years out and is as effective as he has been he could probably get a two or three year deal next time he hits the market at 35 and still get the 8MM a year from LA on top of whatever his new contract pays him, correct?

        Reply
  16. BlueSkyLA

    10 years ago

    Whoa, now we’re hearing about a deferral over six years. Did somebody put Frank McCourt in charge again?

    Reply
    • ronk

      10 years ago

      All those deferred dollars have got to put more motivation on Kazmir to opt out. A buck today is almost always worth more than a buck tommorow.

      Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        10 years ago

        The story has him getting $45M over 3, paid as $8M annually over 5. The math doesn’t work even if the signing bonus isn’t being included in the total.

        Reply
        • BlueSkyLA

          10 years ago

          Make that six… add up now.

          Reply
          • Ray Ray

            10 years ago

            The story says $48M now.

            Reply
  17. rivera42

    10 years ago

    Well, it’s much better than giving JA Happ 3/36.

    Reply
  18. bbatardo

    10 years ago

    Has a team ever had a 5 man lefty rotation before?

    Reply
    • Kayrall

      10 years ago

      I am very interested in an answer to this question too.

      Reply
    • Ray Ray

      10 years ago

      No , but the 54 Senators had a 4 man rotation that was all lefty. They didn’t have 5 man rotations back then. The 2013 White Sox also had 4, but no one has ever run 5.

      Reply
    • vtadave

      10 years ago

      White Sox got 115 starts from four lefties last year – Sale, Rodon, Danks, and Quintana, but I couldn’t find where a team has had 5 lefties at one time for an extended period.

      Reply
  19. boysofsummer

    10 years ago

    They had better make sure they’re flush with solid RH relievers. Seems like an awkward fit. When is the last time a team rolled out an all LH rotation?

    Reply
  20. hittingnull

    10 years ago

    3.10 ERA in the AL. That’s about a 1.75 ERA in the NL.

    Reply
  21. GreenandGold

    10 years ago

    there will not be 5 lefties in the rotation come opening day. Zaidi will create package to bring in a rh #2.
    Probably roll out 3 lefties in the rotation…

    Reply
  22. xalz

    10 years ago

    Why is everyone underrating Alex Wood? He’s 24 with plenty of upside and very good pheriphals and WAR. He should be starting and he is affordable. I cannot believe Atlanta gave him up for a thirty year old Olivera.

    Reply
    • milkychavez

      10 years ago

      Alex Wood has lost velocity on his fastball and hasn’t been as effective since.

      Reply
    • slider32

      10 years ago

      This could be the Dodgers setting up a deal with the Yanks, Miller to the Dodgers for either Wood or Anderson.

      Reply
    • Acuña Matata

      10 years ago

      1. He’s already had tommy john in college.
      2. His arm action is incredibly wild
      3. He’s been losing velocity since he was installed as a starter
      4. Braves gave him up for a 30 y/o on an incredibly team friendly contract
      5. The Braves have more pitching than spots
      6. Alex Woods is just Alex Woods

      Reply
  23. milkychavez

    10 years ago

    So the deferred money and the opt-out is an attempt to stay under the luxury threshold next year and beyond while still signing their younger players?

    Reply
    • Cam

      10 years ago

      The Dodgers have plenty of money coming off the books, and very little future obligations. People waffle on about how much money they spend, but they aren’t interested in looking at the actual financial position they’ve worked themselves into.

      In 2019, the only player the Dodgers are obligated to is Clayton Kershaw, + 8mil for Kemp/Olivera. There are plenty of big market teams that wish they had so little dead money.

      Reply
  24. East Coast Bias

    10 years ago

    Let me see if I’m getting this right.

    With no opt out:
    2016 – 8m, 2017 – 8m, 2018 – 8m, 2019 – 8m, 2020 – 8m, 2021 – 8m

    If he opts out after 2016:
    2016 – 8m, 2017 – 8m

    He still gets the 8m for 2017, even if he plays for someone else. Is that correct?

    Reply
    • Ray Ray

      10 years ago

      He will still be making $16 million per year even if he opts out. Meaning if he gets paid in 2016, then he will receive the 2019 payments, if he gets paid in 2017 then he will get the 2020 payments, and if he gets paid in 2018 then he will get the 2021 payments. I am making a couple of assumptions, but they do seem logical.

      Reply
    • slider32

      10 years ago

      This is a good move by the Dodgers, they can now trade either Wood or Anderson to the Yanks for a Miller and next year both De Leon, and Urias will be ready.

      Reply
  25. gobraves46

    10 years ago

    Another lefty?!?!
    Kershaw, Kazmir, Wood, Ryu, Anderson. Someone find out the last time a team had an all LHP rotation.

    Reply
    • Ray Ray

      10 years ago

      the 1954 Senators had 4 lefty starters, but just a 4 man rotation. The 2013 White Sox had 4 lefties as well, but of course they had a 5 man rotation. It’s never been done with 5 lefties.

      Reply
      • mrnatewalter

        10 years ago

        This upcoming season’s (and last season’s) White Sox rotation potentially has 4 lefties as well (Sale, Quintana, Rodon, Danks).

        Reply
    • slider32

      10 years ago

      Never, one will be traded.

      Reply
      • Ray Ray

        10 years ago

        Which one though? Kershaw is not going anywhere. They cannot trade Anderson until June because he accepted the QO. Ryu was hurt and has almost no value. Kazmir was just signed, so he’s not going anywhere. That leaves Wood and it makes no real sense to trade him either, But I guess if someone is traded it would logically be him.

        Reply
        • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

          10 years ago

          They can trade him but it has to be with his permission. After June they can trade him to anyone they want.

          Reply
          • Ray Ray

            10 years ago

            He is probably not going to give permission because if he wanted to leave he wouldn’t have accepted the QO. Secondly, no one is trading for Anderson at $15+ million. Thirdly, why would they trade him after June? He is either going to be a solid member of the rotation or he won’t be worth anything of value in a trade.

            Reply
            • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

              10 years ago

              Well I’m just assuming Anderson is a smart enough guy to realize the deep pitching class this year. To note I believe Strasberg is the only real top of the rotation guy next year. Therefore just like Kazmir betting on themselves if they do well they will be in demand. I also think 15.8 is better than Anderson would have received. I never said the Dodgers would trade him but they possibly could. Plus if the Dodgers did want to get rid of him they would be able to eat some money.

              Reply
          • mrnatewalter

            10 years ago

            I guess if they feel that Urias or De Leon or some minor leaguer is ready to start, they could try and grab a prospect or two for Anderson, which could be better than a late first round pick.

            But you’re right, a trade of Anderson would be extremely unlikely.

            Reply
  26. raef715

    10 years ago

    thats a lot of injured or injury prone lefties in one staff.

    Reply
    • prestigeworldwide

      10 years ago

      I thought the same thing. lol

      Reply
  27. mrnatewalter

    10 years ago

    An opt-out clause after one year? These are getting a little outrageous.

    Reply
  28. stroh

    10 years ago

    I wish Kazmir all the best as he is from Houston. Having said that, he didn’t do anything in Aug and Sep for the Astros – he was terrible, and could barely even get to the 5th inning. The Astros would have been much better off with a healthy Scott Feldman as their 5th starter. And believe me, that’s what Kazmir was on the Astros – the 5th starter after Keuchel, McHugh, McCullers and Fiers……and not so good of a 5th starter. Given his age and experience level, and history of arm problems, I would have thought $12-13M/year for 2-3 years would be generous. The Dodgers vastly over-paid, but good for Kazmir that he took advantage of the market.

    Reply
    • wilymo

      10 years ago

      $16M per for 3 years half deferred is not vastly more than $13M per for 3 years

      JA happ got what you’re saying kazmir should get

      i think you’re overly focused on what he did for the astros, which is understandable as an astros fan, but not what the industry is going to do. he has a history beyond that one stretch run, and almost all of his other recent work has been very effective

      Reply
      • stroh

        10 years ago

        JAHapp also got way too much. As a barometer, Scott Feldman is making $8M this year – Happ is no better than Feldman, as a matter of fact Happ has never sniffed winning 17 games in a season like Feldman has. Happ also used to pitch for the Astros, and was (and still is) in my opinion a 4th/5th starter at best. I do have to say that Happ had better stuff than Kazmir. The way Kazmir pitched in Aug/Sep, he either had a tired arm, or just couldn’t pitch in a pennant stretch, or has some arm issues that may be “buyer beware”. Maybe he’ll revert to pitching like he did with the As = and if he does certainly he’s worth the $16M/year but something tells me he’ll land up on the DL.

        Reply
  29. xalz

    10 years ago

    The kuckle-curve and change are his pitches, plus good control and GB%. Some of the velocity (1 mph variance) on the FB may be due to pen and that he’s only pitched two years at this level and usage. Third year in could be nice if he hits his stride like 2014 on a club like the Dodgers.

    Reply
    • xalz

      10 years ago

      That was supposed to be a reply on Wood…

      Reply
  30. JoeyPankake

    10 years ago

    This all left handed rotation is all the more reason for the Giants to sign Upton or Cespedes.

    Reply
    • slider32

      10 years ago

      I can see them trading one of these lefties, may Wood to the Yanks for Miller.

      Reply
      • McGlynn

        10 years ago

        No way that the Yankees would trade miller for Alex wood

        Reply
    • SemihAutomatic

      10 years ago

      Wouldn’t make a big difference for Yo – his career numbers against lefties are worse than those against righties. And in 2015, those splits became even more massive:

      .223/.297/.439, 99 wRC+in 155 PA against lefties while striking out 27% of the time
      .310/.338/.571, 146 wRC+ in 521 PA against righties, while striking out 19% of the time.

      Could just be a small sample size but regardless, he’s always done better against righties than lefties.

      Reply
      • JoeyPankake

        10 years ago

        Guess I overlooked that. Thanks for the info.

        Reply
        • SemihAutomatic

          10 years ago

          Yeah, it’s very interesting. And getting a relatively intimate look at him, even during his best, he clearly has a problem with lefties. It didn’t seem to me like it was just an unlucky streak; he looked quite overmatched at times against average to below average lefties. Maybe it’s the arm angle and/or trajectory of the pitch.

          Reply
  31. Brooklyn

    10 years ago

    Kazmir is strictly a #3…just a bandaid…they still need Kenta Maeda or similar plus a bullpen to make a run at S.F. & Arizona!!! ALSO… a second baseman like Howie and an outfielder that can hit!!!

    Reply
    • Brooklyn

      10 years ago

      Kazmir AIN’T Gonna Scare S.F. Or Arizona…Dodgers have to do a lot better than that!!!!!

      Reply
  32. ericw93

    10 years ago

    What happens to Bolsinger now?

    Reply
    • puigpower

      10 years ago

      This is quite possibly the last possible thing that I thought of in regards to this deal. But thank you for bringing that up.

      Reply
      • BlueSkyLA

        10 years ago

        ericw93 is his agent.

        Reply
    • wilymo

      10 years ago

      he changes his name to Boklaholsinger City

      Reply
    • vtadave

      10 years ago

      Puts him where he should be – long man / AAA insurance.

      Reply
  33. tommyl

    10 years ago

    Interesting tidbit on Kasmir from Fangraphs:
    “This is the new stage of Scott Kazmir: pretty good, somewhat durable, with the biggest fastball-change-up gap in the game as far as starters go. That last quality could conceivably allow Kazmir to age better than he might’ve as a fastball/slider guy. The change-up seems the best it’s ever been, and Kazmir got here by slowing it down.”

    Reply
  34. db2259

    10 years ago

    Good luck Dodgers. Way way way overpaid but I’m sure you’re used to it by now.

    Reply
    • puigpower

      10 years ago

      Funny that you could call him overpaid when the prospects that Houston gave up for two months of him was quite strong.

      Reply
      • Ray Ray

        10 years ago

        No they weren’t. Nottingham was somewhere around the #10 prospect for Houston and Mendgen wasn’t even top 20. That is not a “quite strong” package of prospects for a starter at the trade deadline. The package for Gomez/Fiers was quite strong, but the package for Kazmir was relatively weak.

        Reply
        • SemihAutomatic

          10 years ago

          A lot of people have Nottingham rated very highly. Sickels had him as a top eighty prospect at one point, and he hasn’t really done anything to lessen the shine. He may not be a C long term but the bat has potential. For a half season rental, it certainly is quite strong.

          Reply
          • McGlynn

            10 years ago

            I’m pretty sure that mendgen was traded because he was tearing it up at AA, and did pretty well at AAA, so I think he had added some value since he was rated

            Reply
    • rick5ful

      10 years ago

      Says the dbacks fan. You must know all about overpay,

      Reply
  35. greatd

    10 years ago

    Talk about lefties lefties lefties. Better load up on right handed batters when you’re facing the Dodgers.

    Reply
  36. todd76

    10 years ago

    That’s quite the interesting contract…

    Reply
  37. pchrist12

    10 years ago

    The big right handed bats in the NL west are going to hurt the Dodgers.

    Reply
  38. markmc1235

    10 years ago

    I heard he got busted for domestic violence and the signing fell threw. There gonna bring back Chad Billingsley instead.

    Reply
  39. n888

    10 years ago

    Pair means two

    Reply

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