While there was reported interest as recently as one week ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ signing of Scott Kazmir to a three-year contract on Wednesday came as a bit of a surprise.
Whereas most free agent signings are accompanied by rumblings of a reported agreement in the days and hours leading up to a club making a deal official, such was not the case with the Dodgers and Kazmir.
The 31-year-old left-hander’s contract includes a signing bonus, opt-out clause after the 2016 season and deferred salaries.
With the signing of Kazmir, the Dodgers now have five viable starters who could make up an all left-handed rotation come Opening Day next season.
Aside from potential trades down the line, that possibility is contingent on Hyun-Jin Ryu recovering in time from a May surgery to repair a torn labrum and ended any chance of him pitching in 2015.
Already looking ahead to next season, Brett Anderson joked the Dodgers’ starting rotation would use Clayton Kershaw’s glove:
Hey @ClaytonKersh22 the entire rotation is going to use your glove as a sign of solidarity.
— Brett Anderson (@BrettAnderson35) December 30, 2015
That prompted A.J. Ellis to chime in with a benefit of having a rotation full of lefties:
@BrettAnderson35 @ClaytonKersh22 I'm excited….no more RH scouting reports….so much more time to steam and graze.
— AJ Ellis (@AJEllis17) December 30, 2015
While Kershaw tends to keep a low social-media profile, he shared a simple message:
One band one sound https://t.co/2xy1VH4EW6
— Clayton Kershaw (@ClaytonKersh22) December 30, 2015
Now a sudden outsider, Brandon McCarthy gave the Dodgers a hard time over the signing of Kazmir:
.@Dodgers This is blatant handism and I'm filing a hostile workplace grievance
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) December 30, 2015
Utility man Kiké Hernandez welcomed his new teammate (again):
@scottkazmir19 Kazzzz!!! Welcome to the blue brother! Just like I welcomed you to Carolina! Lol
— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) December 30, 2015
Given the types of lineups the Dodgers may face, Adrian Gonzalez wonders how busy he’ll be at first base:
@BrettAnderson35 @Dodgers @ClaytonKersh22 all right-handed lineups, will I get a ground ball all year?
— Adrian Gonzalez (@AdrianTitan23) December 30, 2015
@ClaytonKersh22 @AJEllis17 @BrettAnderson35 just pitch all righties in and I can pull up a lawn chair at first base. Assist king 2016!!!
— Adrian Gonzalez (@AdrianTitan23) December 30, 2015
Kazmir is a career 98-90 with a 3.96 ERA, 3.97 FIP and 1.35 WHIP over 11 seasons. Next year will be his first pitching for a National League club.
