Rays maybe giving Kazmir to Angels

[Reuben]

this article says for two prospects, mlb trade rumors said for nothing (Kazmir's having a bad year and due $20 mil over the next two years).

[Bench]

And this article says the deal has fallen through.

[strosrays]

Done.

In addition to the prospects, who sound interesting, the Rays free up money to re-sign several of their rising stars.  They may live to regret the deal in the short term, or even the long term, but I don't know.  With Kazmir, the hype and the reality are two different things.  I don't think they are throwing in the towel on this season, but they are looking ahead with this deal, too.

On the Angels side, if Kazmir keeps pitching like he has recently, it is a good deal.  They are looking at winning it all this year.

[juliogotay]

Why wouldn't the Astros have been interested in Kazmir? (a) strictly financial. (b) didn't have the pieces to put together a deal (c) don't like Kazmir or are afraid of injury? 

To me, at 25 in the first year of a three-year deal, it seems he would be worth a shot. If he can get back on track you have another piece to the puzzle.
Whaddaya think?

[moriartp]

A combination of all of the above. With money as tight as it is, there's little sense committing to a contract like that for a pitcher who's as risky as Kazmir. Might've happened with a bigger budget and good prospects to spare, but they aren't in a position to make any such move at the moment.

[juliogotay]

A combination of all of the above. With money as tight as it is, there's little sense committing to a contract like that for a pitcher who's as risky as Kazmir. Might've happened with a bigger budget and good prospects to spare, but they aren't in a position to make any such move at the moment.

"as risky" ?   he's actually been a model of consistency before this season. From 2006-08 his ERA was 3.24, 3.48, 3.49.  I don't know what his problem has been this year but the Angels must think they can fix it. Admittedly they have more resources to work from and more margin for error.

[Matt]

"as risky" ?   he's actually been a model of consistency before this season. From 2006-08 his ERA was 3.24, 3.48, 3.49.  I don't know what his problem has been this year but the Angels must think they can fix it. Admittedly they have more resources to work from and more margin for error.

 And they have a loaded farm system unlike the Astros.

[moriartp]

"as risky" ?   he's actually been a model of consistency before this season. From 2006-08 his ERA was 3.24, 3.48, 3.49.  I don't know what his problem has been this year but the Angels must think they can fix it. Admittedly they have more resources to work from and more margin for error.

His numbers have been good, no question about it. The risk is injury, not subpar performance. He missed significant time in 2006 and 2008, and an injury could certainly explain his struggles this season. It's similar to (but less extreme than) the Rich Harden situation: fantastic when healthy, but can't be counted on to be so.