Do you think Kazmir could be a 20 game winner with just a little more offense behind him? Being a Blue Jays fan i do and wish he would come to the Jays
2007-01-06 19:17:14 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Scott Kazmir is one of the best young starting pitchers, if not, best in baseball. When healthy he is unhittable. He is a solid lefthander and the Rays got a steal trading for him in 2004 when they gave up Victor Zambrano.
I think Kazmir can be a 20 game winner, however pitchers do not have much control over wins and losses. Look at Halladay in 2006. He could have won more games, though had some bad luck near the end of August and the rest of September, recieving little run support and that one bad play behind him (Alex Rios bobbles ball on Alex Cora flyball which lands over the RF fence at Fenway).
Kazmir does have the stuff to win 20 games. I think Tampa does have a decent offence. Crawford is one of the best leadoff hitters, Delmon Young is a top prospect, Rocco Baldeli is a solid CF. They also acquired Akinori Iwamura from Japan, who is a solid addition and should provide good offensive numbers in his first season over in the MLB. Also, remember what Jorge Cantu did in 2005, (28 HR and 117 RBI). Ty Wiggington had a break out year last season swatting 24 HR and driving in 79 RBI. I really like Jonny Gomes as their DH. When healthy this guy is a great homerun hitter. He struggled last season due to injury, though when healthy like in 2005, (21 HR, 54 RBI, .372 OBP, .534 SLG in 344 ABS), he could post up solid numbers throughout a full season.
Tampa Bay has a horrible bullpen which will be a factor in Kazmir winning 20 games. Their bullpen is horrible, they have no solid closer. Must I explain more?
Overall, I wish the Jays could get Kazmir. The Jays would have the best rotation in the AL, if they had Kazmir; however it is unlikely Tampa will trade him. Kazmir is great talent and Tampa Bay is lucky to have a solid, young lefthander starter who is ready for a breakout season.
2007-01-07 03:31:47 · answer #1 · answered by Coco 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yah, i really do. Only he would need more that just a little more offense behind him. He gets nothing in Tampa Bay. He is very underrated because of that. I don't think he would win 20 as easy in Toronto as he would several other teams. Look at Halladay's numbers last season. He was at least the second or third best pitcher in the American League and he only managed 16 wins despite 32 starts. The offense has improved drastically with the addition of (a hopefully health) Big Hurt but I'm not sure about Royce Clayton and Greg Zaun (not as good as Molina) as everyday players.
2007-01-07 05:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I give him a slight chance but thats all. I don't know if anyone can win 20 games anymore. With 2006 being the only season in MLB history without one 20 game winner. With the avant of using more and more relive pitchers (short, long ,middle, setup-man, closer) It is becoming increasingly more difficult for anyone to win 20 games with a good team, not to mention the Devil Rays (sorry Rays fans but you haven't prove me wrong yet). Plus with going down with injury this year it is still a question about durability. He's still young so that not too much of a track record.
(P.S. Me being a Mets fan and absolutely hate Jim Duquette for trading him for Victor Zambrano who's not even on the team anymore.)
2007-01-07 13:35:10 · answer #3 · answered by football298 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes he could be a 20 game winner with a little more run support.
But expect more of the same possibly a little better in the run support from the Devill Rays. Going into 2007 they will be starting three rookies Delmon Young, Akinori Iwamura, and Ben Zobrist.
2007-01-07 04:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough division to win 20 games in with that offense. Even with a little more offense he wins 17 at the most. Winning 20 in the Al is tough to do. Santana won 19.
2007-01-07 05:36:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I really think he could be a 20 game winner. It would have to be like when Steve Carlton used to kick butt on bad Phillies teams though, because the Rays are no good, and I doubt they would trade a great young player like him. You can bet when they officially fallout of the race next year that some contenders will offer some good packages for him.
2007-01-06 20:26:18 · answer #6 · answered by Eho 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not with the Blue Jays he won't. But for another team yes he can win 20 games in a season.
2007-01-07 04:22:58 · answer #7 · answered by Compton,CA 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, he has the potential to win those many games. He isn't backed by a good defensive nor offensive team, and has one of the worst bullpens to back him, up and often loses a win because of that. If you put him on a decent team, even the orioles, he can excel, and be one of the league's more dominant pitchers. He is also very under-rated.
2007-01-07 02:43:51 · answer #8 · answered by sakhi93 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, he is playing in a fairly large ballpark and he has serious control problems at times. Going to the weaker NL might seriously spark some "improvement" really though I think he is overrated. He can be good at times but he's not as young as he used to be and has not taken long strides in improving his control.
2007-01-07 08:14:56 · answer #9 · answered by miamiman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Former Mets minor leaguer will have a good yr if healthy. Yes he could win 20+ games w/ run support. His ERA should be around 4.00
2007-01-07 00:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by richard w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋