I think the Rays front office can sit back and reconfirm their initial thoughts. Pitcher Scott Kazmir was not worth the money.
Instead, its the California Angels situation to deal with. Kazmir will make $8M in 2010, 12M in 2012, and a club option (doubtful) for 2012 at 13.5M, or a 2.5M dollar buyout (probable).
I always liked Kaz. He was a class guy. But for some reason he's regressed and close to putting himself in the "average" pile. Certainly not the pitcher that commands the kind of money he is making.
Against the Yankees in Game four, it was another early exit. Kazmir gave up three runs in the 4th inning.
After one batter in the 5th, he was yanked.
We've seen this all too often. Don't know if its a mental thing, or if he's just not the same pitcher that showed up from the Mets.
From afar, the only positive right now for Kazmir is that he is reunited with former Rays pitching coach Mike Butcher.
Maybe Butcher can bring back the gusto in Kazmir's slider in the off-season.
For the Rays, its a deal that saved them plenty of loot. In addition, they got a couple of prospects. If one prospect pans out, great. If neither do, the Rays are still ahead.
