Dodgers Free Agent Pitching Options

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Kazmir

Kazmir has had such a weird career path. He was a star in Tampa Bay under Andrew Friedman before being traded to the Angels. His first half-season with the Angels was excellent, but he was horrible in 2010 and 2011 and pitched in the independent Atlantic League and in the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League in 2012. He came back to the MLB in 2013, was an all-star once again in 2014, and posted a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts with Oakland last year before being traded to Houston. His time in Houston wasn’t great, but Kazmir should be one of the least expensive options out there.

Kazmir is a lefty, which the Dodgers already have plenty of. He’s somehow only 31, so he will still command a multi-year deal. Probably not the six or seven that Price/Greinke/Cueto will command, but he could probably get four or five years. For reference, Samardzija’s contract is reportedly for five years, $90 million. Samardzija undoubtably has better stuff than Kazmir, but Kazmir has been just as good, if not better than Samardzija throughout his career and is somehow only a year older. He’ll probably still command less money, and the Dodgers would be wise to check in on him.

Next: Mike Leake