Scott Kazmir opts in to final two years of contract

Dodgers left-hander Scott Kazmir has decided to opt in to the final two years of his contract, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Kazmir will earn $32 million through 2018 instead of opting for free agency.

Kazmir, 32, signed a 3-year, $48 million deal with Los Angeles last winter that included an opt-out clause for this winter. He originally appeared likely to exercise the opt-out due to this year’s weak free-agent pitching class, but struggled to a 4.56 ERA in 136.1 innings for the Dodgers last season.

Kazmir will re-join Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-jin Ryu, Julio Urias, Alex Wood and Brandon McCarthy in a lefty-heavy Dodgers rotation next spring. He will likely be considered a trade candidate this offseason, though the Dodgers may have to eat some of the $32 million left on his deal to facilitate a deal.

Kazmir is a veteran of 12 seasons with the Rays (2004-08), Angels (2009-11), Indians (2013), Athletics (2014-15), Astros (2015) and Dodgers (2016). He owns a career 4.01 ERA in that span, and has been named an All-Star on three occasions (2006, 2008, 2014).