Angels trade for Kazmir

On Friday the Los Angeles Angels traded for Starting Pitcher Scott Kazmir. Kazmir who helped take the Tamp Bay Rays to the World Series a year ago has so far been an unimpressive 8-7 with a 5.92 era. While he may indeed help the Angels with their run at the playoffs this is really a story about two teams in vastly different circumstances.

Before we get to that let us look at the details of the trade. The angles get Kazmir, while the Rays get Pitcher Alexander Torres, third baseman Matthew Sweeney and a player to be named later.

For the angles this move makes a lot of sense they needed some starting pitching help, and even though Kazmir’s season long ERA looks elevated at nearly 6, since the All Star Break he has a 4.11 ERA. For the Rays, who now sit almost five games out of the American League Wild Card Race, they get a couple of prospects and a big savings on their payroll.

Kazmir is due to make 8 million in 2010, 12 million in 2011, and the team controls an option for 2012 for 13.5 million. Since the Rays are essentially out of the race this year it makes sense for them to move Kazmir and build for the future.