KAZMIR A DODGER

Scott Kazmir signed a 3-year, $48 million deal with the Dodgers (for all the free agent signings click on our 2016 Free Agent Tracker). The deal also includes an opt out for Kazmir who can cut after one year if he wants (don’t know why the Dodgers gave him that).

Kazmir won 15 games in 2014 only to fall to seven in 2015. Not really his fault or doing of course. His ERA dropped from 3.55 to 3.10 and his WHIP was stable (1.16 to 1.21). Note that he’s failed to reach 7.80 strikeouts per nine either of the last two seasons, the mark is over 8.50 for his career, and he’s slowed in the second half each of the last two seasons. He’s also failed to throw 195 innings since 2007, is constantly dealing with some minor physical malady, and simply, in the eyes of this scribe, cannot be trusted. Draft him as part of your staff – fine. Target him or expect to build around him – #EpicFail.

Finally, check this out. The Dodgers top-5 starters, as of this writing, are all left-handed: Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir, Brett Anderson, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alex Wood. That’s obviously nowhere near ideal. The all-time record for starts made by left-handed pitchers follow:

79 percent - 1981 Yankees (85-of-107 starts)

78 percent - 1983 Yankees (127-of-162)

77 percent - 1975 Yankees (124-of-161)

HOWIE KENDRICK STILL HOMELESS

Howie Kendrick has made over $38 million dollars in his career so it’s not likely that he will be found in the gutter tomorrow morning with vomit on his jacket and a bottle of ripple in his hand, but he’s still searching for a major league job. The Dodgers aren’t likely to bring him back with Chase Utley and Enrique Hernandez in the house, and Daniel Murphy was scooped up by the Nationals (Neil Walker was dealt to the Mets as well). So where will Kendrick end up? The D’backs are interested, they don’t have faith in Aaron Hill, but with Kendrick tied to draft pick compensation they may not pull the trigger (they’ve already given up a pick to sign Zack Greinke). Kendrick is 32 years old, is a lock to hit .285, a number he’s reached each of the last five seasons, and he’s a perennial 10/10 threat as well. He’ll find a home and produce in 2016.

BRAVES SIGN KYLE KENDRICK

Why?

HENDERSON ALVAREZ AN ATHLETIC

Henderson Alvarez signed a one year, $4.25 million deal with the Athletics. I write every year about him (seemingly). I warn not to draft him every year (always). People still want to draft him (frequently). Not going to waste my time re-writing the same thing I always pen, so I’ll just link to his 2015 Player Profile and say – ditto.

AROLDIS CHAPMAN…

My take on the move of Aroldis Chapman to the Yankees. 

THE HISTORY OF NEW YEARS EVE

We’re all going to get blasted December 31, 2015. Be safe. It’s not like most of us (the author included) really need a reason to go out and make some bad decisions, but if you intrigued as to how we got to where we are with New Year’s Eve, check out this link on the history of the event.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Thursday at 8 PM EDT and Friday at 10 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 7 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).