Atlanta Braves Release Veteran Starter Scott Kazmir
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have released Scott Kazmir and will pay his remaining salary without him on the roster. The move isn’t surprising considering that Kazmir was part of a salary dump.
The Atlanta Braves roster is becoming more clear with the news that Kazmir has been released by the Braves. Releasing Kazmir doesn’t save the Braves any money but it will help them clear Matt Kemp’s deal that would have stretched on past this season.
Kazmir has struggled badly in Spring Training and didn’t give the Braves any indication he could provide value or stay healthy.
With a rebuilding team the Braves are better off giving the roster spot to a younger player who has a lot left to prove.
Kazmir will hit the open market and shouldn’t have a hard time finding another chance considering he is likely to work for the minimum.
Julio Teheran will start the season for the Braves as the Opening day starter. Beyond that many questions remain in the Braves rotation Kazmir would have been another large question mark that the Braves don’t need.
Julio Teheran will have plenty of prove this season as well after coming off of a horrible first season in SunTrust park.
Scott Kazmir was just one of several pieces that the Braves received in a salary dump trade with the Dodgers. Matt Kemp was sent to the Dodgers in exchange for a package that included Kazmir.
The $16 million that he was owed will count against this season’s salary and will help clear salary space for the huge free agent market of 2019.