Angels could release LHP Scott Kazmir if he continues to struggle
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Left handed pitcher Scott Kazmir has been struggling during Spring Training with a 7.79 ERA in 17.1 innings. In his last outing he was shelled for eight earned runs and eight hits over five innings against the Brewers.
Although his Spring results haven’t been any different than last season (5.94 ERA), he insists that he’s feeling better. “I feel like I was throwing the ball well,” Kazmir said. “The [three] walks, I didn’t particularly like, but I thought I was attacking the strike zone. A couple of things didn’t go my way, and it kind of snowballed on me.”
“My slider felt great, and my fastball had a downward tilt to it,” he added. “But they put some good swings on it. That’s baseball. No matter how you feel, you’ve got to have some luck on your side.”
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times says that if Kazmir continues to struggle, the Angels may have no choice but to release the lefty. They would have to eat the $14.5 million left on his contract ($12 million for 2011 and a $2.5 million buyout for 2012’s team option).
In order to do that, the Angels would have to move Hisanori Takahashi to the rotation, but they can’t do it before left handed reliever Scott Downs is reactivated from the Disabled List. Angels manager, Mike Scioscia said Takahashi is too valuable as a reliever right now.
Kazmir was 9-15 with a 5.94 ERA and 93 SO in 150 innings throughout 28 starts in 2010 with the Angels.
Left handed pitcher Scott Kazmir has been struggling during Spring Training with a 7.79 ERA in 17.1 innings. In his last outing he received eight earned runs and eight hits over five innings.
Although the outcome is showing any difference, Kazmir insists that he's feeling better than last year. "I feel like I was throwing the ball well," Kazmir said. "The [three] walks, I didn't particularly like, but I thought I was attacking the strike zone. A couple of things didn't go my way, and it kind of snowballed on me."
"My slider felt great, and my fastball had a downward tilt to it," he added. "But they put some good swings on it. That's baseball. No matter how you feel, you've got to have some luck on your side."
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times says that if this continues, the Angels may have no choice but to release the lefty, eating the $14.5 million left on his contract ($12 million for 2011 and a $2.5 million buyout for 2012's team option).
In order to do that, the Angels would have to move Hisanori Takahashi to the rotation, but they can't do it before left handed reliever Scott Downs is reactivated from the Disabled List. Angels manager, Mike Scioscia said Takahashi is too valuable as a reliever right now.
