Admittedly I've been a big proponent of Kazmir and was on board when they traded for him back in 09. Top of the rotation lefty pitchers don't grow on trees and I liked the gamble bringing him in and trying to figure out what the issue was and get him back throwing like he was early in his career, but I think it's time to call it a day and cut bait.
Yes the Angels are on the hook for $12 million this year but I've come to the conclusion it's next to impossible to pitch with a fork sticking out of your back. He came into camp, according to him, in the best shape of his career, no arm issues and no excuses. After his dismal year last season his spring training has been about earning a spot in the rotation (acknowledged by everyone) and he's gone out and posted a 7.79 era. This isn't a case of a pitcher just working on location or a new pitch, this is a guy that's been out there trying to win a spot and he's failed miserably...
It's hard to find pitching and right now with Pineiro banged up, the Angels are even thinner, but it's time to say the Kazmir experiment is over and show him the door. There has to be someone in their minor leagues that can put up the same numbers as Kazmir isn't there? What happened to Trevor Reckling? Young lefty who admittedly took a step back last year but who was their minor league player of the year 2 years ago, let's give him a shot, can he really do any worse? Or how about Tyler Chatwood who's looked good this spring? Both really young, but the Dodgers brought up an extremely young Clayton Kershaw a couple years ago, let him learn under fire and look where he is now (Dodgers opening day starter and he's a year older than Reckling).
I've jumped off the Kazmir bandwagon and have moved on, who's got next?
Bill
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