The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signing of Scott Kazmir on Wednesday.
Ever since Los Angeles lost starter Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, rumors indicated the team was going to sign another starter or two to bolster their rotation. They've been linked to numerous MLB stars, but they ultimately decided on Kazmir, a veteran left-hander.
The Dodgers announced the deal is for three years and Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting Kazmir will earn $48 million over the life of the contract.
"He also obtains an opt-out clause after the first season, and there are reportedly deferrals in the deal," writes Adams. "Kazmir is said to receive a $5MM signing bonus and a $3MM salary in 2016, with annual payments of $8MM in each of the next five seasons (or, in the case of an opt out, a second payment of $8MM next year)."
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says Kazmir will get $16 million in each of the next three seasons.
Here's the official announcement from the Dodgers:
The Dodgers today announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir to a three-year contract. (1/2)
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 30, 2015
Rumors have suggested the Dodgers are also courting Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, which makes sense because the team has a surplus of left-handers with Clayton Kershaw, Brett Anderson, Alex Wood, Hyun-Jin Ryu and now Kazmir.
Perhaps a trade could be on the way for one of their other starters, but at this point it's unclear.
Kazmir will turn 32 next month. The veteran, after struggling mightily from 2009-2012, rebounded during the 2013 season with the Cleveland Indians and continued his successful work with the Oakland Athletics for a year and a half befoe he was traded to the Houston Astros. In 50 starts with the A's, Kazmir finished 20-14 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 265 strikeouts.
His second half of 2015 worried a number of MLB teams because he struggled with the Astros. In his final 13 starts of the season, the left-hander finished 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA and then endured a poor start in the playoffs against the Kansas City Royals.
However, the Dodgers seemingly have faith in Kazmir and invested three years in him as they look to take home their fourth consecutive NL West title in 2016.
Stay tuned for updates.
