Scott Kazmir is due $20 million for 2010-11, and another $13.5 million in 2012 (barring a $2.5 million club buyout). With an 8-7 record and a 5.62 ERA, it would make sense that the Rays moved their former No. 1 starter to free some money.
Rays owner Stuart Sternberg might agree — just don't call it a salary dump.
“I think any real fan who looked at it could clearly see that it’s not a salary dump," Sternberg told TBO.com. "As a casual fan you want more, more, more – ‘Why didn’t you get this guy? Why didn’t you sign this guy?’ We live within our means. It’s a reallocation of resources.”
Of course, arguing that a move isn't a salary dump by calling it a "reallocation of resources" isn't much of an argument at all. When asked if he could understand why some fans might be upset with the move, he was a little more than ambiguous.
“If I were a casual fan or a real fan of the team, I’d feel the same thing,” he told the Web site. “People love Scott. He was a great Ray here, he did a lot of tremendous things. This is what we do. This is who we are and this is what we do. People better get used to it, because it’s going to continue.”
