The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The contract isn’t as straightforward as it seems, as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the deal has an opt-out after just one season, meaning Kazmir can hit free agency again as soon as next year.
Source: Kazmir's three-year deal with the #Dodgers is for $48 million.
— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) December 30, 2015
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Kazmir was out of the league just a few years ago, but he’s rebuilt his value and become one of the better lefty starters pitchers in the game. The 31-year-old had an excellent 2015 campaign split between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros. He was lights out in 18 starts with the A’s, posting a 5-5 record with a 2.38 ERA and an 8.3 K/9 in 18 starts with the club. His Astros tenure was bumpier, as he stumbled to a 2-6 record in 13 starts with a 4.17 ERA and a horrible 5.19 FIP, allowing more hits and striking out less batters. Kazmir made one Postseason start, earning a no-decision in Game 2 of the ALDS.
The opt-out is a bit of a head scratcher, but perhaps the Dodgers could only get the deal done with the option. If Kazmir is awesome, he can chase a bigger contract by opting out, if he struggles or misses time with injury he’s got a guaranteed fall-back option. It’s a win-win for him.
Kazmir joins a Dodgers rotation which features Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Alex Wood, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Mike Bolsinger, and Brandon McCarthy. As Heyman notes, L.A. could potentially have a rotation with five lefties. Dodgers players were having some fun with the signing on Twitter.
One band one sound https://t.co/2xy1VH4EW6
— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) December 30, 2015
Hey @ClaytonKersh22 the entire rotation is going to use your glove as a sign of solidarity.
— Brett Anderson (@_BAnderson30_) December 30, 2015
.@Dodgers This is blatant handism and I'm filing a hostile workplace grievance
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) December 30, 2015
Despite what seems to be a packed rotation, I wouldn’t bet the Dodgers are done addressing their starting depth.
