Several reports had the team sending scouts to Oakland with Scott Kazmir taking the mound. The veteran pitching was solid in a no-decision contest against Minnesota. The lefty threw 8.1 innings, allowing no runs and just five hits as he becomes the latest hot commodity on the trading block.
The 31-year-old has been solid over his baseball career with 96 wins and an ERA under 4.00. This season has been special, compiling a 5-5 record with an impressive 2.38 ERA in 18 starts for the A’s.
Toronto continues to swing the bats well this season, scoring 80 more runs than any other team in the MLB, but the Blue Jays are just 47-47 on the year and sitting in fourth place, 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees.
Kazmir becomes a free agent after this season, leading several baseball experts to believe Oakland will move the veteran in hopes of landing a couple young prospects. The A’s are known for cutting corners when it comes to salary and it seems unlikely they would spend big money to keep the left-handed pitcher in Northern California.
Another good reason to add a pitcher with some age is experience and leadership skills, both of which could help the Jays down the stretch, especially with every team in the East in contention for a spot in the post season.
Kazmir is not the only name linked with Toronto as Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto has also been mentioned in trade rumors. The 29-year-old would likely come at a higher cost, but his age and career numbers suggest he might be the better option. In either case, the front office needs to do something to help a squad that is struggling on the mound.
