With two of the top starting pitchers off the board, the rest of the dominoes are about to fall in this year’s free-agent market. Scott Kazmir may be among the next players to find a new home this offseason.
Continue for updates.
A’s Intrigued By Kazmir Reunion
Sunday, Dec. 6
The Oakland Athletics have “interest” in re-singing Kazmir, according to Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area.
Kazmir complied a record of 20-14 with a 3.12 ERA spread over 1.5 seasons with the A’s after signing a two-year deal before the 2014 season.
Kazmir Not Lacking in Potential Suitors
Sunday, Dec. 6
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers are among those jockeying for position in the race to sign Kazmir. According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, as many as 12 teams have some level of interest in the 31-year-old left-hander.
Many of the teams looking at Kazmir were likely waiting for aces such as David Price and Zack Greinke to sign and set the bar for starting pitchers. Price will earn $217 million over seven years from the Boston Red Sox, while Greinke joined the Arizona Diamondbacks for six years and $206.5 million.
Nobody expects Kazmir to command $30-plus million a year, but teams that lost out on Greinke or Price may look at him as a backup plan.
He rejuvenated his career with the Cleveland Indians in 2013 and continued that improvement with the Athletics. Kazmir’s numbers dropped a bit after his trade to the Houston Astros, though. In 13 starts for Houston, he went 2-6 with a 4.17 earned run average and 5.19 FIP, per Baseball-Reference.com.
Especially for teams with playoff aspirations in 2016, Kazmir would be a great addition as a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. His 5.18 ERA in nine postseason appearances is a bit of a concern, though.
Still, the possibility nearly half of MLB is looking at Kazmir speaks to what he could bring to a team next year both on the mound and in the clubhouse.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com