Dodgers Rumors: Three Players that will be Gone by the End of the Season
By Jason Reed
Scott Kazmir
Scott Kazmir started 2016 off as the number two starter behind the best pitcher in the world Clayton Kershaw. To end his year only two full seasons later, Kazmir may find himself unemployed.
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Being perhaps the most hardcore Dodger fan you can possibly be, I always root for the success of guys and I always want them to pan out. After signing a three-year, $48 million deal with the Dodgers before last season I had high hopes for Scott Kazmir.
For the most part, it panned out, as Kazmir was able to be decent enough for the Dodgers to eat innings when it mattered most.The problem is that inning eating and his increased age is causing problems for Kazmir.
The number two pitcher last season now finds himself yet again on the disabled list, likely pitching in the minors on his return as he is lacking serious fastball velocity. Because of this, we may see the Dodgers release Kazmir before season’s end.
If there is anything that Andrew Friedman hates doing it is paying old guys big contracts to do nothing. Friedman had no problem eating Carl Crawford’s contract just to get him off the team, and likely would not have a problem doing the same with Kazmir. As much as I want Kazmir to succeed, chances are it won’t be with the Dodgers in 2017.
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Overall, I wish the best for all three of these guys and I hope they prove me wrong and finish one, two, and three in MVP voting. All joking aside, according to these Dodgers rumors, we may not see these guys in Dodger blue in the near future.