Yardbarker: Scott Kazmir

Relative Kidnapped

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:01:53 -0500

Kidnappers in Venezuela snatched the mother of Victor Zambrano. Given the number of kidnappings in that country, I’m somewhat surprised that major league and former major league players haven’t moved all their close relatives out of the country. No word if the ransom demand includes Scott Kazmir’s mother. (Yes, I’m an awful, heartless person.)

Top 30 Starts of 2009 - Part 5

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:07:31 -0500

This is part 5 of the 6 part series on the best 30 starts for the Rays in our most recent season. So far we have seen 11 - 30 and there have been some real humdingers in there. As a review, here are positions for each starter: James Shields - 24, 23, 20, 19, 12 Matt Garza - 29, 28 Jeff Neimann - 25, 22, 21,16 Scott Kazmir - 14 David Price - 30, 26, 15, 13, 11 Wade Davis - 27, 18 Andy Sonnanstine - 17 If we assign points, such that 1st would be worth 30 and 30th worth 1...

A Brief Comparison

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:53 -0500

Player Pitches SwStr% Foul% K% uBB% FB Velo xFIP Pitcher A 2012 8.4 19.8 18.06 9.92 90.7 5.16 Pitcher B 516 7.8 30.8 18.97 6.9 92.5 5.06 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-pri...

So Rick Peterson Doesn't Hate Scott Kazmir?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0500

In 2004 the New York Mets agreed to send Scott Kazmir, their #1 pitching prospect, to Tampa Bay for Victor Zambrano, a pitcher who was generally mediocre. The trade proved to be horrendous for the Mets as Zambrano accomplished absolutely nothing while Kazmir made an immediate impact on the Devil Rays and flashed elite stuff.

In the aftermath of the trade Mets fans flashed their rage at many people. They yelled at Steve Phillips for making the trade, the problem with that was Phillips had already been fired. The next target was Pitching Coach Rick Peterson who was rumored to say a multitude of things: "He could fix Zambrano in ten minutes.", "Kazmir was at least 3 years away from the Majors." There were also rumors that the two didn't get along and that Kazmir didn't respond well to his coaching.

Well unless they had a huge hug it out session, I'm guessing that all of those rumors were false and ******** as Kazmir credits his return to form to his work with Rick Peterson. If you're thinking, Rick Peterson wasn't the Rays or the Angels pitching coach this year or last, why did they work together? Well, apparently after a trip to Doc Andrews' ASMI clinic, Kazmir decided to seek out Peterson and get him to work on his delivery and get him back to his former self.

So much for blaming Phillips or Peterson for this trade. The entire blame now goes to Jim Duquette.

Kazmir Goes From Alabama to New Jersey to Rejuvenated in Anaheim

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 -0500

by Ed PriceFiled under: Angels, MLB Playoffs, FanHouse Exclusive, American League Championship SeriesScott Kazmir's journey from Tampa Bay to Anaheim has been successful only because of stops in Alabama and New Jersey. Kazmir, scheduled to start Tuesday against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS, went from the Rays to the Angels in a late-August trade. And in six starts for the Angels, the lefty went 2-2 with a 1.73 ERA. "When he became available," manager Mike Scioscia said, &qu...

Kazmir and Peterson

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:16:50 -0500

Scott Kazmir credits biomechanical analysis and Rick Peterson for turning around his season. Part of Peterson’s help was that he created a baseline for Scott when he was in the Met’s minor league system: The lab had baseline information on Kazmir from when Peterson took him there when he was with the Mets in 2004, [...]

Just a Reminder, the Kazmir Deal Could Have Been Blocked

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:10:00 -0500

Just a reminder to Red Sox fans as Scott Kazmir takes the hill in Boston this afternoon, the Red Sox brass had the opportunity to block the deal but chose not to. When Kazmir was put on the waiver wire, every team in the AL with the exception of the Yankees had the opportunity to claim Kazmir before the Angels were able to. The Red Sox chose not to for whatever reason and the deal was consummated.

With the Angels Kazmir has started 6 games. He's 2-2 with a 1.73 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. The Angels are 4-2 in his starts despite scoring 2.33 runs per game. He has a Quality Start in 5 of 6 games with the only non-QS coming in his last start of the year when they pulled him after 5 innings.

If the Angels did not have Kazmir on their roster it's likely Ervin Santana would get the start. Ervin Santana in last years postseason was rocked by the Red Sox for 5 runs in 5+ innings. Kazmir on the other was baten around for 5 runs in his first outing in the ALCS but redeemed himself with 6 innings of shut out ball in his second outing.

Pat Burrell and the Scott Kazmir Trade

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0500

The general theme that has lingered from the Scott Kazmir trade is that the Rays simply could not afford to keep him beyond this season because of financial constraints. When we say "financial restraints", there have been two schools of thought: 1. If the Rays want to keep Carl Crawford beyond this season, they needed to shed payroll. With more than $20 million owed to him over the next 2+ years, Kazmir was the logical choice for the Rays to move. 2. As Buster Olney, Keith Law, and...

Andy Sonnantine To Replace Scott Kazmir In Rays Rotation

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:08:53 -0500

More photos » by Reinhold Matay - AP Browse more photos » While some (me) had hoped the Rays would tap Wade Davis to replace Scott Kazmir in the Rays rotation, the Rays have decided to go with an old favorite in Boom Boom, Andy Sonnanstine. Sonny, who was sent to Durham in late June to make room for Scott Kazmir after going 6-7 with a 6.61 ERA/5.13 FIP in 15 starts, will now take his place once he is officially rec...

Rays Officially Trade Scott Kazmir to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Matthew Sweeney, Alexander Torres, and a PTBNL

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:30:10 -0500

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Angels acquire two time All-Star Scott Kazmir

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:45:00 -0500

The Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a trade that sends left handed pitcher Scott Kazmir to Anaheim for minor leagues Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney. The Angels rotation receives a much needed boost with the addition of the veteran pitcher. Kazmir is 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA overall this season. However he's pitched much better post All-Star break going 4-2, 4.41ERA. Maybe more importantly are his numbers against potential playoff match ups are thus. vs. Boston this ...

Report: Scott Kazmir Traded to Angels for Alexander Torres and Matthew Sweeney

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:01:41 -0500

Per MLB.com: The Rays will get pitcher Alexander Torres and third baseman Matthew Sweeney in return in the deal, which is expected to be announced later today. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes;...

More Pre vs. Post Disabled List Evalutions Of Scott Kazmir

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:00:18 -0500

More photos » by Mike Carlson - AP 3 days ago: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Scott Kazmir follows through on a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson) Browse more photos » It's no secret that after his biomechanical evaluation and consultation with Rick Peterson that we've seen a much ...

A Quick Note on Scott Kazmir

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:00:12 -0500

Rays Beat Rangers Behind Scott Kazmir; Move Within Three of Wild Card

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:17:33 -0500

More photos » by Mike Carlson - AP This is like the fourth different "smashed wall" pic from the homestand. I don't know what's going on here. Browse more photos » Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;...