Scott Kazmir has pitched for five different teams, all in the American League, in an 11-year career. (Getty Images)
The Dodgers signed pitcher Scott Kazmir to a three-year, $48 million contract on Wednesday, adding to a starting rotation that had been down a man since Zack Greinke signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kazmir, 31, went 7-11 with a 3.10 ERA (3.98 FIP) in 31 starts last season, which he split between the A’s and Houston Astros. Because he was not eligible to receive a qualifying offer, signing Kazmir won’t cost the Dodgers a 2016 draft pick. The left-hander can opt out of his contract after the first year.
Kazmir gives the Dodgers a fifth left-handed pitcher for their potential 2016 rotation, along with Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Alex Wood and Brett Anderson.
The Dodgers were linked to Greinke, as well as Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto, both of whom signed with the San Francisco Giants. They had agreed to terms with Hisashi Iwakuma on a three-year contract, only to see Iwakuma re-sign with the Seattle Mariners after the pitcher took his physical. The Dodgers have also spoken to Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, who remains a free agent and still could sign in Los Angeles.
Kazmir will earn $16 million in each year of the deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBSsports.com. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the actual payout structure is more complicated: Kazmir gets $8 million a year each of the next six years. Factoring in his signing bonus, Kazmir’s actual salary in 2016 is $3 million.
Kazmir was one of baseball’s best starting pitchers from 2005-08 for the Tampa Bay Rays, when he went 45-34 with a 3.51 ERA. After a disastrous two-year run with the Angels, Kazmir resurrected his career in 2013 with the Cleveland Indians. Since that season, he is 32-29 with a 3.54 ERA (3.61 FIP) for the Indians, Oakland A’s and Houston Astros.
The A’s traded Kazmir to the Astros for prospects in July. Kazmir made one start in the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals, allowing three runs in 5 ⅓ innings.
The Dodgers designated outfielder Daniel Fields for assignment to make room for Kazmir on the 40-man roster.
Read more about the trade here.
