Waiving Scott Kazmir Thins Angels Thin Pitching Staff


Even during the magical 2002 World Series year, the knock against the Angels was they lacked that one powerful bat.

Defense–check. Intangibles–check. Pitching–double check.

Yesterday's waiving of once-projected ace Scott Kazmir is just more evidence that last category is no longer a lock.
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With confirmed ace Jared Weaver heading into free agency and No. 2 starter Dan Haren battling back spasms, heightened expectations and a knack for being trade bait (Cleveland may be sizing him for a uniform this season), consistent pitching suddenly seems to have joined another big bat as a pressing need for the now-mediocre LAofA squad.

Complicating doing something about that: the stack of Arte Moreno's fortune it will take to keep Weave and the $9.5 million they owe now-cut Kazmir through 2012.

Then there's the prospect of packaging prospects like pitchers Trevor Reckling and Tyler Skaggs in a trade for more offensive firepower to chase the pennant this year.

Thus, GM Tony Reagins finds himself in that unenviable position of having to pull a miracle out of his ass now or re-tool for the future.

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