Is It time For the Rays To Let Scott Kazmir Go?

Scott Kazmir has struggled going back to the All-Star break last season. This raises a question to me. Should we trade Kid K?

Some interesting stats from Kazmir this season:

Longest Outing: 6 2/3 innings

Lowest pitch count of the year: 88, in four innings

ERA: A great looking 7.11

Strikeouts: 50

These stats are making Kazmir’s 2007 season look like a complete fluke. I don’t know if he will ever be able to regain the form that he once had. Let's take a look at his past three starts since returning from the DL.

June 27th vs. FLA: 5 IP, 4 Hits, 2 ER, 92 Pitches 61 for Strikes, 5 Ks

July 3rd @ TEX: 5 IP, 5 Hits, 1 ER, 99 Pitches 63 for Strikes, 6 Ks

July 8th vs. TOR: 6 1/3 IP, 9 Hits, 7 ER, 107 Pitches 66 for Strikes, 4 Ks

This was after everything was supposedly clicking in bullpen and rehab appearances. If the Rays are trying to cut payroll and even possibly keep Crawford, Kazmir could be the best option to go.

Scotty K can be replaced by Andy Sonnanstine or Wade Davis. He also could bring back one or two young prospects in a trade while freeing up some payroll space at the same time.

After Kazmir’s game against the Blue Jays he had this to say:

“The way I felt, it really doesn’t give justice to the way the game went.”

Also he added,

“I’m confident in what I’m putting out there,” Kazmir said. “It’s very, very frustrating. But I’m feeling like I’m going to start catching some breaks.”

I hope these breaks come soon, but if not a Kid K trade could help the team in the future.