Scott Kazmir signs for Oakland – Breakdown

The Oakland Athletics added a piece to their starting rotation puzzle today.  They added former Indian left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir, 29, with a two-year contract worth $22 million.  The physical is still pending before it is official.

This suggests the Athletics will probably not be bringing back Bartolo Colon next year.  Colon, 40,  is looking for a multi-year deal that’s worth more than the $11 million a year that Kazmir will be receiving.

Sep 28, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

What does this mean for the Texas Rangers?  Last year, Colon pitched very well over 2 years in Oakland with a record of 28-15, an ERA of 2.99, and 208 strikeouts for 54 games over 342.2 innings.  Against the Rangers for his career, Colon has an ERA of 3.47 with a record of 20-8 over 33 starts.

Scott Kazmir last year with the Cleveland Indians had an ERA of 4.04 with a record of 10-9.  He pitched better in the second half managing to bring his ERA down from a 4.60 to 3.38 and increasing his strikeout to walk ratio.

For his career, Scott Kazmir has an ERA of 4.16 and a record of 76-70.

The Texas Rangers haven’t seem Kazmir very many times over career.  He’s only pitched 14 times against the Rangers over his 9 year career.  Kazmir has done well against the Rangers with and ERA of 3.09 and a record of 6-4.  Last year he pitched once against the Rangers.  He pitched for 6 innings, allowed 8 hits and 4 runs.

Kazmir features a slider in the mid-80s, a four and two seam fastball in the low-90’s and change up in the 80’s.  He had more velocity in previous years, but lost some of it due to injuries.  Oakland is hoping that his second half of 2013 is a sign he is going to pitch like he did prior to the injury.

Even though Bartolo Colon is nearing 41, he’s still the better pitcher out of the two.  Scott Kazmir will still pitch well against the Rangers, but I would expect more runs and win against him.