One Final Look At The Kazmir-Zambrano Trade

Okay I know that we have to put this past us but I thought that it would be nice to just take one last look back. On July 30, 2004 the New York Mets traded their number one prospect in Scott Kazmir to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In return the Rays sent the Mets the Ace of their staff Victor Zambrano and a young relief pitcher Bartolome Fortunato. The deal baffled many as Kazmir was thought of as a "can't miss prospect" and Zambrano was a very spotty pitcher who had nasty stuff but no control. As it turned out Victor came to the Mets injured. He made just three starts and then went to the DL for the rest of the season. That same year Kazmir made his Major League debut. He pitched okay for a young kid on a bad team. The next season (2005) Kazmir made 32 starts winning ten of them and loosing just nine while maintaining an ERA of 3.77. From this point on many started to call Kazmir a "future Hall of Famer." That same year Zambrano made 27 starts winning only 7 while losing 12 with an ERA above 4.oo. From this point on many started to call Zambrano a total BUST! This year Kazmir is 5 and 2 with a 2.94 ERA in 8 starts. He is pitching great for a bad ball club. And Victor Zambrano has landed himself on the DL for the rest of the season. He finishes the season with a 1-2 record and a 6.75 ERA over 5 starts. The relief pitcher we got in the deal, Bartolome Fortunato, has also landed himself on the DL as of yesterday. He has made two relief appearances for the Mets and has blown them both. He finishes his season with 3 innings pitched and a 27.00 ERA. So what it all boils down to is that we gave up a future "Hall of Famer" for two guys who have combined for 56 appearances with 12 wins and 14 losses and a 4.67 ERA. All I can say to this is good luck on your career Kazmir and good reddens to Victor and Bartolome.