So, listening to a number of local (if not always reputable) sources, here is what has been "reported" about Kazmir:
He went on the DL with a quad strain, but in reality it's a mental stint on the DL. Word is Kazmir's elbow hurt him for most of last year, and he re-configured his motion to compensate for this. Well, fast forward to this year, and the elbow no longer hurts, so the change worked - except as a result of his change to his delivery he is mechanical, not fluid, and he is constantly fighting himself, throwing across his body, aiming the ball, etc.
Word is Kazmir has not seen eye to eye with pitching coach Jim Hickey from the time Hickey arrived, and it started when Hickey moved Kazmir from one side of the rubber to the other. It seems like Kazmir has been in a constant struggle to let loose ever since Hickey has become the pitching coach, and the D Rays brass may be contemplating letting Kaz go on a rehad assignment in Montgomery or Durham to try and "re-find himself".
Bottom line - he makes $10 million per year, he has a slight frame, and there is a fear he's damaged, so he has zero trade value right now. The Rays are going to have to go to work on his head, and hope he can go back to the Kazmir that just let's it fly.
raysfan4life wrote:So, listening to a number of local (if not always reputable) sources, here is what has been "reported" about Kazmir:
He went on the DL with a quad strain, but in reality it's a mental stint on the DL. Word is Kazmir's elbow hurt him for most of last year, and he re-configured his motion to compensate for this. Well, fast forward to this year, and the elbow no longer hurts, so the change worked - except as a result of his change to his delivery he is mechanical, not fluid, and he is constantly fighting himself, throwing across his body, aiming the ball, etc.
Word is Kazmir has not seen eye to eye with pitching coach Jim Hickey from the time Hickey arrived, and it started when Hickey moved Kazmir from one side of the rubber to the other. It seems like Kazmir has been in a constant struggle to let loose ever since Hickey has become the pitching coach, and the D Rays brass may be contemplating letting Kaz go on a rehad assignment in Montgomery or Durham to try and "re-find himself".
Bottom line - he makes $10 million per year, he has a slight frame, and there is a fear he's damaged, so he has zero trade value right now. The Rays are going to have to go to work on his head, and hope he can go back to the Kazmir that just let's it fly.
That was a big thing. He was moved to the 3rd base side of the rubber and it made him terrible. i thought he moved back during late 2007 and last year though, but this season he has been on the 3rd base side the entire time.
The DL stint is definitely not due to any injury. They couldn't send him down and this is a way for him to be in the minors on "rehab starts". The Rays have said they are in no hurry for him to come back, so I think this could be a while.
The other factor to consider is that the Rays are deep in young starting pitchers. They've still got Shields, Garza, Niemann, Price, Wade Davis, Sonny, Talbot...it's not like they need to rush Kazmir back - they've got arms to spare.
The Rays activated Kazmir (quadriceps) from the 15-day DL following Friday's game, the St. Petersburg Times reports. He will start on Saturday against the Marlins.
He looks much better prior to his dl stint. Throwing harder and locating better. He reached 93 mph on his fastball in the first few innings. Before the injury he was at 88 87mph. He's changing speeds better too and throwing more strikes.
devastor wrote:Kazmir has 4Ks in 4.0 innings. Not bad. Anyone watching the game, how does his pitching look?
His fastball has more life and he's locating down in the zone. He is still struggling a little when it comes to putting guys away, but i'm very encouraged so far.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Basketball
Fantasy Hockey
by raysfan4life » Sat May 23, 2009 5:31 pm 
