Scott Kazmir Gets His Wings

According to several sources, Scott Kazmir has been traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels acquired Kazmir for minor league left-hander Alex Torres, minor league infielder Matt Sweeney, and a player to be named later.

Kazmir, 25, got off to a rough start this season and is 8-7 with a 5.92 earned-run average for the Rays this season. However, the former Mets prospect is 4-2 with a 4.41 ERA in eight starts since the All Star break..

There is some speculation that the acquisition of Kazmir could increase the chances of Angels ace John Lackey leaving as a free agent after the season. If that does happen, he probably becomes the best pitcher available in a weak free agent class this fall.

There has also beno some on again/off again rumors that Ervin Santana might be available in a trade, but with the deadline now passed, if they move him, it won’t be until the off season.

Kazmir had to clear waivers to be traded at this point in the season, and according to the rules, the Mets could not have claimed him unless he passed through the American League first, even though the Mets may have had a worse record. But does anybody believe the Mets would have taken on that contract even if he was to have trickled down to the Mets?

Kazmir is earning $6 million this season in the first year of a $28.5 million, three-year deal he agreed to in May 2008. He is owed $8 million next season and $12 million in 2011, and his contract contains a $13.5 million club option for 2012 with a $2.5 million buyout.