Modest Proposal

At the time it looked like just another big-market team taking advantage of a cash-strapped small-market one. Now the Angels' pickup of Scott Kazmir from the Rays for utilityman Sean Rodriguez and two prospects in August 2009 seems like a mistake. Kazmir, 27, has seen his strikeout rate plummet, from a high of 27% of batters faced in '07 to 18% in '09 to 14% last season, with no improvement in his command along the way. In fact, the lefthander struck out just 14 more men than he walked in 2010 on the way to a career-worst 5.94 ERA. Kazmir has lost 2 or 3 mph off his fastball and slider since his Tampa Bay heyday and simply may no longer have the tools to be an effective starting pitcher. Despite the $12 million they're paying him, Los Angeles cannot stick with Kazmir if he once again is in the running to be the worst starter in the league. Righthander Trevor Bell, 24, should be first in line for a rotation spot if Kazmir declines further—or even if he fails to improve.