Dodgers reportedly interested in Leake, Kazmir, Odorizzi
Even prior to pulling out of a deal with Hisashi Iwakuma, the Los Angeles Dodgers needed starting pitching, and they apparently have their eyes on quite a few starters.
According to FOX Sports baseball insider Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers are showing interest in both free-agent starters Scott Kazmir and Mike Leake, both of whom were used as rentals last season by contending teams in the final year of their contracts.
Both pitchers are considered second-tier starters, and both struggled to find consistency with their respective teams after being traded mid-season in 2015.
Sources: Both #Dodgers, #STLCards on Leake. LAD interest could grow if team is backing out of Iwakuma deal to physical, as Jiji Press says.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2015
In addition to Leake, #Dodgers also on Kazmir, sources say. Told yesterday - even before Iwakuma news - they are not ruling out anyone.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2015
In his 11-year career, Kazmir has posted a 98-90 record with a 3.96 ERA. The 31-year-old lefty has hit his stride in the past two seasons, compiling a 22-20 record with a 3.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with the Oakland A's and Houston Astros, sequentially.
While Kazmir has had his ups and downs since being traded by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009, Leake has shown consistency from his beginning days with the Cincinnati Reds.
Over the past three seasons, the 28-year-old righty achieved a 36-30 record with a 3.59 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, notably compiling a career-best year in 2013 with a 14-7 record and 3.37 ERA.
In his report, Rosenthal notes that the Dodgers are "not ruling out anyone," and were said to be interested in both pitchers prior to the dissolution of the Iwakuma deal, which was called off after the Japanese right-hander failed a physical exam.
However, that isn't the extent of Los Angeles' rumored interest in starters.
According to CBS Sports, the Dodgers are also interested in Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who is considered one of the best young right-handers in the American League.
The former first-round pick, who will turn 26 before the 2016 season begins, dazzled in his second full season in 2015, compiling a 9-9 record while holding a 3.35 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 28 starts.
