Gut Check: David Price Superb After Kazmir Trade

Maybe its a coincidence, or maybe David Price realizes what he needs to do down the stretch to help his team win, but he pitched a gem Saturday afternoon.

Price went 7.1 innings allowing five hits and one run, while only walking one. These are the performances he will need, especially on the road against contenders, if the Tampa Bay Rays would like a chance to defend their title. 

I am clearly saddened by the Scott Kazmir trade, as I wrote an article saying why it really isn't a good idea to trade him, but if trading him means keeping Carl Crawford then I am all for it. Here are some other stats that worry me a bit about Kazmir:

He's won four of his last five starts. Well this might be true, he hasn't pitched well outside of the Trop, seven runs to a Seattle team who can't hit. Tampa Bay owns Toronto so that game shouldn't matter.

Also his ERA for August is still 5.10. Even if he's won the games he hasn't pitched wonderful. The only game he pitched perfect in was his last one, against Toronto. 

Secondly his fastball velocity has never recovered. He gets it up to 93 occasionally but is usually around the 88-91 range. His stuff is still really good, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure if he will ever be what he was two years ago. His 10 strikeouts though prove that he still has it.

Lastly, injuries. If you are paying a guy, especially a pitcher, a good amount of money, you would like him to make 30 starts a year. Kazmir has not done that since 2007. If he cannot stay healthy he will never live up to his worth.

With all that said, I am still sad to see him go because he was a face of the franchise. However back to the original point I'm trying to make: The Rays will be just fine without him.

He hasn't pitched well for most of the year and the Rays are still in contention. Jeff Niemann has been a nice surprise, Aki Iwamura came back today as well so now the Rays are at full strength in the field, and their defense should be shoring up as well. If Davis or Sonnanstine can pitch under a five ERA then they will be just as effective as Kazmir. 

If the Rays make the playoffs Davis or Sonanstine won't pitch, or at least start. Starters of Shields, Garza, and Niemann I believe would be just fine. Although Niemann hasn't pitched in a big game, neither had any of the Rays pitchers last year before, well, last year. 

The Rays bullpen has been and consistent all year, and if David Price keeps emerging, using him as a starter or a shut down guy in the bullpen in the playoffs would just add another great piece to the second best bullpen in the AL. 

This is not the waving of the white flag, as most people seem to perceive it as. It is building a team for the future, while trying to maintain a chance in the race. I think the Rays have the flexibility and depth to do both.