The Los Angeles Angels, looking to bolster their rotation for the last five weeks of the season and in October, are close to completing a deal for left-hander Scott Kazmir of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to sources.
The Angels and Rays had extensive conversations before the trade deadline about Kazmir, who is 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA.
Kazmir
MLB.com is reporting that the Rays will receive two prospects: pitcher Alexander Torres and third baseman Matthew Sweeney.
The Rays definitely would get salary relief in the deal. Tampa Bay is barreling toward a series of tough financial decisions because of its payroll restrictions, and the 25-year-old Kazmir is in the first year of a three-year, $28.5 million deal.
Tampa Bay may try to replace him in the rotation with one of its young prospects, such as Wade Davis, who is 10-7 with a 3.26 ERA in Triple-A. The Rays currently stand 3½ games out in the AL wild-card race.
Kazmir, who cleared waivers earlier this month, is making $6 million this year, and will make salaries of $8 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011.
The left-handed Torres, 21, is 13-4 with a 2.75 ERA in the minors this season, while reaching Double-A. Sweeney, a 21-year-old third baseman, is hitting .296 in Class A, with nine homers, 44 RBIs, 26 walks and 37 strikeouts.
The Angels have dealt with a series of injuries and inconsistency with their rotation this season, as well as the death of Nick Adenhart. The Angels rank 24th in starters' ERA in the majors, at 4.96, yet have a four-game lead in the AL West, largely because they have had an overpowering offense that leads the majors in runs.
Kazmir went to the Rays in a trade with the Mets for Victor Zambrano.
The Angels and Rays had extensive conversations before the trade deadline about Kazmir, who is 8-7 with a 5.92 ERA.
Kazmir
MLB.com is reporting that the Rays will receive two prospects: pitcher Alexander Torres and third baseman Matthew Sweeney.
The Rays definitely would get salary relief in the deal. Tampa Bay is barreling toward a series of tough financial decisions because of its payroll restrictions, and the 25-year-old Kazmir is in the first year of a three-year, $28.5 million deal.
Tampa Bay may try to replace him in the rotation with one of its young prospects, such as Wade Davis, who is 10-7 with a 3.26 ERA in Triple-A. The Rays currently stand 3½ games out in the AL wild-card race.
Kazmir, who cleared waivers earlier this month, is making $6 million this year, and will make salaries of $8 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011.
The left-handed Torres, 21, is 13-4 with a 2.75 ERA in the minors this season, while reaching Double-A. Sweeney, a 21-year-old third baseman, is hitting .296 in Class A, with nine homers, 44 RBIs, 26 walks and 37 strikeouts.
The Angels have dealt with a series of injuries and inconsistency with their rotation this season, as well as the death of Nick Adenhart. The Angels rank 24th in starters' ERA in the majors, at 4.96, yet have a four-game lead in the AL West, largely because they have had an overpowering offense that leads the majors in runs.
Kazmir went to the Rays in a trade with the Mets for Victor Zambrano.
