When the likes of Johnny Cueto and Zack Greinke were no longer available, the Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their need for starting pitching by signing Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million contract.
Kazmir’s deal included deferred salaries and an opt-out clause after the 2016 season. That put the southpaw in position to test free agency when the group of available starting pitchers was expected to be relatively weak.
While that did hold true, Kazmir decided against opting out, and is under contract with the Dodgers for two years and $32 million.
But according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, Kazmir and the Dodgers reportedly are open to a potential trade:
Word around the Dodgers was he would not mind moving somewhere else, and they would not mind that happening.
Kazmir made 26 starts and went 10-6 with a 4.56 ERA, 4.48 FIP and 1.35 WHIP. He struggled mightily in the first inning of his outings, pitching to a 6.92 ERA in the opening frame.
The 32-year-old did adjust his pregame routine, which at times led to improved results.
Kazmir fell victim to the injury bug, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list with neck inflammation. After suffering a setback while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was diagnosed with thoracic spine inflammation on Sept. 10.
Kazmir was reinstated from the DL on Sept. 23 and started against the Colorado Rockies that evening. He was removed after a scoreless first inning with right intercostal (muscles between ribs) spasms, and never pitched again in 2016.
The Dodgers’ starting rotation next season currently projects to feature Clayton Kershaw, Kazmir, Kenta Maeda, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Los Angeles also has options in Ross Stripling, Brock Stewart and Julio Urias, and presumably are interested in re-signing Rich Hill.
Any trade involving Kazmir would likely require the Dodgers to pay a portion of his remaining salary.
