2016 MLB free agency: Who hurt stock in postseason

Scott Kazmir

When he was acquired, Kazmir brought one of the top three earned run averages in the American League with him, and was poised to be a pivotal part of sealing an AL West title for the upstart Houston Astros.

However, he suffered through one of the worst months of his career in September, carrying a 6.52 ERA and sealing a 2-6 record as a member of his new club. It was not guaranteed that he would even get a start in the postseason, but manager A.J. Hinch saw fit to sandwich him between his top two starters Colin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel in game two of the ALDS.

Yet this opportunity to reaffirm himself did not go as planned, as Kazmir labored through 97 pitches in just 5.1 innings of work, allowing three runs and leaving with a no-decision.

It was a performance that affirmed the uncertain nature of just who Kazmir will be on the free agent market this winter. At age 31, it would be prime time for him to get a multi-year deal to carry him past his mid-30’s, but instead he could be once again looking at another two-year contract, in the hopes of proving himself to be the type of consistent impact arm he has struggled to maintain being throughout his career.

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