FanPost

Trade Opportunity: Scott Kazmir

Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Hello.

I’m an A’s fan and my team is done for the season. There has already been plenty of talk about the upcoming trade deadline and we’re all in for even more talk over the next 10 days. What I’d like to do is represent Oakland’s position in a conversation about an oft mentioned trade target: Scott Kazmir. A copy of this FanPost is going to appear on approximately half-a-dozen SB Nation sites, teams that I believe to be legitimate suitors for SP reinforcements. This series of posts is my way of simulating a competitive bidding process for limited assets.

The Numbers:

18 GS/109.2 IP

2.2 fWAR/2.9 bWAR

ERA: 2.38/FIP: 3.09/xFIP: 3.50

K/9: 8.29; BB/9: 2.27; HR/9: 0.57

FA after the 2015 season; ~ $5.5 million remaining on his contract + $500K re-assignment bonus if traded.

Discussion:

Scott Kazmir is one of the best rental SP available at the present time and I’d like to see the A’s move him before his next scheduled start on July 23. He’s a pitcher, therefore an inherent injury risk but he proved there were no ill-effects from the triceps tightness that caused him to leave his previous start early. Not only was Kazmir able to pitch into the 9th on Saturday but he was still able to run his fastball up to 93 in his final frame. He’s almost certain to receive and turn down a Qualifying Offer if he stays in Oakland for the rest of the season, enabling Oakland to act with a bit more leverage during a negotiation. Any team that wants Kazmir to help them make a run towards the play-offs isn’t just paying for his ability; they are paying compensation for the loss of a draft pick. Oakland will cover the $500K re-assignment bonus. For all I know the contract stipulates Oakland must pay this money, so let’s just get that out of the way.

The Price Point:

My ideal trade targets won’t impact your team’s ability to compete in 2015. In fact, I’d prefer it if the pieces Oakland acquires didn’t need to be added to the 40 man roster. I’d like the centerpiece of any deal to be a 55 Grade prospect, preferably in AA or A-ball. I’d be happy to see Oakland land a higher-ceiling asset that needs some development time. I’d like the second piece to be a 50 grade prospect and I’d presume he’d be someone in the lower minors. A third piece could be needed if the demand is high enough. I realize this requested return doesn’t necessarily match up with the organizational depth of all the teams seeking pitching; I’m trying to give everyone an idea of the quality and value I’m looking to discuss. I’m more than willing to talk about the alternative but equivalent packages individual teams might be able to put together. My only hard and fast rule would be this: any players coming back to Oakland would have at least 5 years of team control remaining at the start of the 2016 season.

Thank you for your time.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Royals Review community. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors and writers of this site.