The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been linked to Philadelphia Phillies' starter Cole Hamels, but there's another left-hander that could help out their starting rotation. Scott Kazmir of the Oakland Athletics is expected to hit the trade market and the Dodgers could make a move for him.
Kazmir is off to an unprecedented 2-0 start with a 1.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in five outings (33 1/3 innings) this season as he continues to build off his successful 2014 campaign. The 31-year-old is slated to hit free agency after 2015 and the Athletics likely won't be able to afford what the market will command for his services.
The left-hander logged his first All-Star season since 2008 last year with the A's after he signed a two-year, $22 million deal. If he continues pitching at this rate through July there's no question general manager Billy Beane will at least explore options to trade him.
"He's had total command of all of his pitches," one scout told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "He's so confident out there. I've watched him pitch for a long time, and I've never seen the eye of the tiger in him like I see now. Don't know if it's because it's his walk year and he can become a free agent, but if he keeps this up most of the season, he's going to make himself a lot of money."
As a result, it's been speculated the Los Angeles Dodgers chase him, especially with Brandon McCarthy sidelined until 2016 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and the status of Hyun-Jin Ryu (shoulder inflammation) largely unknown. ESPN Insider Jim Bowden, a former general manager, provided a scenario as to how the Dodgers can acquire Kazmir if the starting rotation doesn't turn itself around.
He suggests Los Angeles prepares a trade package consisting of prospect starter Zach Lee and outfielder Chris Heisey for the Oakland A's pitcher.
"Kazmir would be a perfect rental fit for the remainder of the season ... The Dodgers might be willing to reluctantly part with Lee, a top pitching prospect who has never lived up to his potential but is off to a fast start in Triple-A. The Dodgers, who have the game's highest payroll, need a proven starter much more than they need to develop a young one ... Heisey would give the A's a right-handed power hitter who can play all three outfield positions, a necessity if you're going to wear an A's uniform."
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it known the Dodgers would not explore the trade market until June or July as they look to solve the starting rotation issue internally. Similarly, it's likely the Athletics get as much out of Kazmir as they possibly can before making him available, if they decide to at all.
It all depends where both of these clubs are when July rolls around. The Dodgers lead the NL West by three games right now, but that will probably change if their starting pitching can't get situated. Oakland is 11-16 and trails the Houston Astros by 7.5 games for first place in the AL West, but the Athletics won that division twice in the past three years and have made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
Let's also not forget Friedman and Kazmir were together for a number of years in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
Keep an eye on these two clubs when the trade deadline approaches.
