Ed Zurga/Getty Images
By Jon Weisman
Three-time All-Star left-hander Scott Kazmir has signed a three-year deal with the Dodgers.
Kazmir was fourth in the American League with a 3.10 ERA in 183 innings last season for Oakland and Houston, with a 1.21 WHIP (15th in the AL) and 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The Dodgers are his sixth career team, but first in the National League (though it was the New York Mets who drafted and signed him in 2002).
He was the AL’s pitcher of the month this past July, allowing one earned run in 34 innings — the same month that Clayton Kershaw was named NL pitcher of the month.
The Dodgers potentially have five lefties in their starting rotation, with Kazmir (32 next season) joining Kershaw (28), Brett Anderson (28), Alex Wood (25) and the recovering Hyun-Jin Ryu (29).
Of his 271 career starts across 11 big-league seasons, Kazmir has made one at Dodger Stadium. Pitching for the Angels on June 12, 2010, Kazmir allowed two runs in five innings of a 4-2 victory. Russell Martin had a two-run double for the only RBI off Kazmir, and Andre Ethier is the only current Dodger who was in the lineup for that game.
Since going nearly two years without pitching in the Major Leagues, while making a comeback in the Dominican, Atlantic and Puerto Rican leagues, Kazmir has had a 3.54 ERA in 92 starts from 2013-15, striking out 8.1 batters per nine innings.
To make room for Kazmir on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers have designated outfielder Daniel Fields for assignment. Fields was claimed on waivers from the Brewers on December 7.
Michael Green
And somewhere are sportswriters and fans saying, oh, great, they finally did something, but they screwed up by signing this guy. Which is completely the wrong reaction, but you know it’s coming.
Vincent Roco
I’m really sorry to see Daniel Fields go
Don Bright
Good signing, if they also sign Maeda, then rotation looks pretty good. Sure there’s no two headed monster in the front, but 3-5 are better for the most part than last year. Could also setup a trade of say Wood to get a pen arm.