There are some angry fans in Tampa Bay following the trade of Scott Kazmir, a 25-year-old left-handed starting pitcher who is having an off season. Kazmir went from a team that almost won the World Series a year ago to the Angels, who can spend a lot of money. How coincidental.
Sound familiar? It is. The Rays traded Kazmir’s contract, not the player. They did it because they need financial flexibility next season.
“These are the choices that have to be made in a small-revenue market,” writes John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times. “And that's the truth Bud Selig ignores when he brags about competitive balance. The Yankees would never make this trade because they don't have to. Neither do the Red Sox. But if the Rays go for broke, they run the risk of not being a contender in 2010 and beyond.”