The Red Sox, without starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in their starting rotation this summer, are relying on soon-to-be 44-year-old knuckler Tim Wakefield to carry the load for the time being.
And that may scare some people.
Not because Red Sox Nation doesn’t think Wake can be successful at his age, but because, as seen in recent years, his body isn’t what it used to be. Wakefield has filled in admirably thus far, but many feel that he’s best suited to be a spot starter and reliever at this point in his career.
That being said, the Sox may be on the lookout for some outside help. On Wednesday, the Angels cut lefty Scott Kazmir. The 27-year-old has struggled in recent years and was cut after his fifth minor league rehab outing. In five starts with Salt Lake, Kazmir had a 17.02 ERA in 15 1-3 innings, giving up 29 earned runs and 22 hits. He finished 2010 with a 9-15 record in 28 starts — the second-highest loss total in baseball – and a 5.94 ERA.
But things weren’t always this bad for the hurler, who strung together five straight seasons of double-digit wins from 2005-09 in Tampa Bay (and six games as a Halo in 2009). The two-time All-Star led the league in strikeouts in 2007 with 239.
Kazmir is 66-61 with a 4.17 ERA in eight professional seasons. He also happens to be 6-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 15 career starts as an opponent at Fenway Park. Do you think the Sox should take a flier on Kazmir? Vote below.
Should the Red Sox take a flier on Scott Kazmir?online survey
