Kazmir for the Astros makes more sense with how Kazmir has pitched this year and that the Astros did not have to trade any of their top OF or pitching talent's that are in the MLB or close to. Smart move by Luhnow.

It's the "just get us into the playoffs, anything can happen" move, not "go for broke" like we saw with Beane last year...it's the smart play for a team that looks extremely well-positioned for the next 4-5 seasons, and arrived on the playoff scene one year ahead of schedule.

All I can think of is that Scott Kazmir was literally almost out of baseball for awhile...Shark has been on a pretty steady upward swing since his career began. This year he's shown a bit of struggles, but has been solid for 2 months now.

Yes Balta this is what I was getting at. I think hands down a GM trusts Shark to take the ball and go deep in a big playoff game way more that Kaz. Gotta be worth more. We're getting a good MLB-rdy player. And I still think JS resigns here next year on a nice deal.

 

On a side note: part of me thinks Jeff is in on the trade with the FO. "Jeff we're a few pieces away. We'll give you a shot at a ring and get an impact player for next year. Talk to ya in the offseason."

On a side note: part of me thinks Jeff is in on the trade with the FO. "Jeff we're a few pieces away. We'll give you a shot at a ring and get an impact player for next year. Talk to ya in the offseason."

 

I'be also got a feeling that this scenario plays out.

I don't know if the return is good or not. But I do know that the Astros are replete with 2nd tier prospects. So their #20 could be another team's #6. They are a drafting machine.

All I can think of is that Scott Kazmir was literally almost out of baseball for awhile...Shark has been on a pretty steady upward swing since his career began. This year he's shown a bit of struggles, but has been solid for 2 months now.

and a couple a games he lost, with a normal offensive team, he might not have lost.

Yes Balta this is what I was getting at. I think hands down a GM trusts Shark to take the ball and go deep in a big playoff game way more that Kaz. Gotta be worth more. We're getting a good MLB-rdy player. And I still think JS resigns here next year on a nice deal.

 

On a side note: part of me thinks Jeff is in on the trade with the FO. "Jeff we're a few pieces away. We'll give you a shot at a ring and get an impact player for next year. Talk to ya in the offseason."

 

bingo.....

Yes Balta this is what I was getting at. I think hands down a GM trusts Shark to take the ball and go deep in a big playoff game way more that Kaz. Gotta be worth more. We're getting a good MLB-rdy player. And I still think JS resigns here next year on a nice deal.

to me, I think they're pretty close to equal. Neither has playoff experience, Kazmir's been better than Samardzija this year but Samardzija has a longer record of success, and Kaz has the benefit of being a lefty.

 

If I 100% know they're both healthy, which one I'd pick depends on the lineup I'm facing. That righty-dominated Cubs lineup from the late 2000s I take the righty, a lineup with a key lefty I need to get out I'll take the lefty.

to me, I think they're pretty close to equal. Neither has playoff experience, Kazmir's been better than Samardzija this year but Samardzija has a longer record of success, and Kaz has the benefit of being a lefty.

 

If I 100% know they're both healthy, which one I'd pick depends on the lineup I'm facing. That righty-dominated Cubs lineup from the late 2000s I take the righty, a lineup with a key lefty I need to get out I'll take the lefty.

Kazmir has pitched in 8 postseason games (7 starts) and has a 5.2 ERA (WHIP was 1.7+).

Shark has 1 posteason apperance (w/Cubs) and it was 1 inning where he gave up a run (ERA of 9).

 

Last year + this year (being fair to Kazmir who has been rejuvenated), Shark has a WAR of 5.6 vs. Kazmir of 4.7. Shark's WAR is 19% better then Kazmir's in that run. In 2013, Shark / Kazmir has comparable season's in terms of WAR, although Kazmir was better when he did pitch that year. Reputation wise though, Shark is much more highly thought of and you can even look at last year and what analysts were saying. It was Shark who was the A's #2 (not Kazmir).

 

Shark just looks the part more so then Kaz. That said, Kaz has been better then Shark this year (however has thrown a hell of a lot less innings; Shark pitches more per start, which is valuable). So I guess you could say beauty is in the eye of the beholder on this one.

I'd just bet all day on Shark being able to go 8 innings over Kaz. I'd feel more confident. Kaz is easier to totally light up if he has bad stuff that day. Just my opinion.

Kazmir has pitched in 8 postseason games (7 starts) and has a 5.2 ERA (WHIP was 1.7+).

Shark has 1 posteason apperance (w/Cubs) and it was 1 inning where he gave up a run (ERA of 9).

 

Last year + this year (being fair to Kazmir who has been rejuvenated), Shark has a WAR of 5.6 vs. Kazmir of 4.7. Shark's WAR is 19% better then Kazmir's in that run. In 2013, Shark / Kazmir has comparable season's in terms of WAR, although Kazmir was better when he did pitch that year. Reputation wise though, Shark is much more highly thought of and you can even look at last year and what analysts were saying. It was Shark who was the A's #2 (not Kazmir).

There's a big flaw in this response using WAR when the specific question asked focused on the value for a single playoff game. Yes, Samardzija had a better WAR last year and it's comparable this year...but that's because Samardzija is pitching more innings, which shouldn't be surprising when the other guy missed time. Especially since anyone who gets in trouble in a playoff game gets pulled early, innings isn't what I'm looking for if a guy is healthy.

 

If you actually look at the raw performance stats, Kazmir is clearly outpitching Samardzija right now and that's even if you be nice and pretend Samardzija's April didn't happen.

 

Given their health track records, or anything weighted by innings, Samardzija looks better, but if they're both healthy and you're asking which pitcher you'd take, Kazmir is a better pitcher right now. Will he be that way in September? I don't know, Samardzija has a longer track record, but through the 2015 season Kazmir has been the better pitcher.

There's a big flaw in this response using WAR when the specific question asked focused on the value for a single playoff game. Yes, Samardzija had a better WAR last year and it's comparable this year...but that's because Samardzija is pitching more innings, which shouldn't be surprising when the other guy missed time. Especially since anyone who gets in trouble in a playoff game gets pulled early, innings isn't what I'm looking for if a guy is healthy.

 

If you actually look at the raw performance stats, Kazmir is clearly outpitching Samardzija right now and that's even if you be nice and pretend Samardzija's April didn't happen.

 

Given their health track records, or anything weighted by innings, Samardzija looks better, but if they're both healthy and you're asking which pitcher you'd take, Kazmir is a better pitcher right now. Will he be that way in September? I don't know, Samardzija has a longer track record, but through the 2015 season Kazmir has been the better pitcher.

I said that Kazmir has pitched better but I think it would be extremely ignorant to ignore innings pitched. A pitcher who can't go deep into games is typically viewed a lot less then a pitcher who can go deep into games and who also has been historically more reliable to get the rock every 5th day. Kazmir's post-season history is pretty out-dated but he has a sustained history of getting rocked in the post-season and in his career, he's proven that he isn't near as durable and he certainly isn't as likely to go deep into games.

 

I think the IP matters and it is why I'd still say Shark is slightly better. Over 5 innings, Kazmir is better, but most teams prefer guys that go deeper and Shark is the more prototypical guy and again, that has value. If I were trading for a player or wanting one guy to make a post-season start (Shark / Kazmir), I'd prefer Shark (presuming opposition was equally good / bad vs. LHP / RHP).

Kazmir has pitched in 8 postseason games (7 starts) and has a 5.2 ERA (WHIP was 1.7+).

Shark has 1 posteason apperance (w/Cubs) and it was 1 inning where he gave up a run (ERA of 9).

 

Last year + this year (being fair to Kazmir who has been rejuvenated), Shark has a WAR of 5.6 vs. Kazmir of 4.7. Shark's WAR is 19% better then Kazmir's in that run. In 2013, Shark / Kazmir has comparable season's in terms of WAR, although Kazmir was better when he did pitch that year. Reputation wise though, Shark is much more highly thought of and you can even look at last year and what analysts were saying. It was Shark who was the A's #2 (not Kazmir).

 

Shark just looks the part more so then Kaz. That said, Kaz has been better then Shark this year (however has thrown a hell of a lot less innings; Shark pitches more per start, which is valuable). So I guess you could say beauty is in the eye of the beholder on this one.

 

Not to mention Kazmir has a bit of Bmac Syndrome where his arm seems to fall off at random moments.

Remember when Oakland signed Kazmir to a 2 year, $20 million contract after his surprise return to Cleveland and the majority of us laughed hysterically? Ha, looks like Oakland got the last laugh this time.

 

Not to mention Kazmir has a bit of Bmac Syndrome where his arm seems to fall off at random moments.

 

Yes, this is very true. There is no guarantee he is healthy for the playoffs.