Who's really excited about Kazmir this season? Despite the debacle that was trying to change his mechanics, he still had a great season last year, and his second half 2.39era/1.14whip with 124k/31bb in 94ip was excellent. Every year I think it's going to be the year and I take him too early, but I'm doing it again. Later in the year, it seemed he showed more willingness to pitch to contact, allowing him to go deeper in games and lowering his reliance on that TB bullpen for Ws; and I think continued progression in that area this year is going to bump him into the elite tier of pitchers. It also looked like he was gaining confidence in throwing his change for strikes, as I saw that pitch quite a bit in the second half. Plus, the Ks will always be there, which is always nice...
Kazmir is no doubt a studly pitcher, but don't look too desperate by reaching on him too high. He does pitch for a team that has ZERO bullpen help, so unless he makes it a full game or near it, he has a shot at not getting a W every game. Plus, he is not the most injury free player out there. Until he gets shipped to another team, I would just stay away from Kaz unless you can get him for a bargain.
I think the injury thing is bull until it proves itself; it was a way for the Mets to try to justify that horrid trade for VZam. Attempting to make the trade seem somewhat respectable, they noted Kaz's small size and his hard throwing as some of the reasons to make that trade, saying he would be injury-prone. And it worked, cause that injury tag has followed Kaz without any real substantiation. Yeah, he had some arm problems late 2 years ago, but in his 3 full seasons, he's made 32,24,and 34 starts; I wouldn't exactly call that an injury plagued career thus far. So, until I see it, I'm not factoring injury-tendency into ranking Kaz.
As for wins, he went 8-3 in the second half last year.
The River wrote:Kazmir is no doubt a studly pitcher, but don't look too desperate by reaching on him too high. He does pitch for a team that has ZERO bullpen help, so unless he makes it a full game or near it, he has a shot at not getting a W every game. Plus, he is not the most injury free player out there. Until he gets shipped to another team, I would just stay away from Kaz unless you can get him for a bargain.
What injury are you talking about? The shoulder one? That was more about the Rays shutting him down because they had nothing to play for than he being injured.
obviously he needs to keep the WHIP in check for a full season before he's truly elite in fantasy. the 1.38 from last season offset a sizeable chunk of what 239 K's did for you
H2H points league he is a stud, I had him last year and I hope to have him again this year, hoping he slides to 8-10th rounds, my league mates value hitting way more than pitching. So it could happen!
C- Hundley, Iannetta 1b- Wallace 2b- Barney/Barmes 3b- J. Lopez CO- G. Sanchez SS- Tulo MI- Castro OF- Bay, Hart, Pagan, Smith, Francisco, Ankiel U- C. Ross(DL), Cantu P- Carpent, Billings, Volquez, Marcum, Norris, J. Vazquez, Westbrook, Wolf, E Rogers
I'm loving Kazmir for this year, and I think he's got a real chance to be a serious Cy Young contender. With the Rays being an improved team he should pick up more wins and he will likely lead the AL in strikeouts again with Santana gone.
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by Boyakasha » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:46 pm 
for Ws; and I think continued progression in that area this year is going to bump him into the elite tier of pitchers. It also looked like he was gaining confidence in throwing his change for strikes, as I saw that pitch quite a bit in the second half. Plus, the Ks will always be there, which is always nice...
