Based on what he became—a serviceable veteran who showed flashes of excellence—the Kazmir–for–Zambrano deal wasn't maybe AS bad as everyone thought it was going to be, but this opinion can only be arrived at through hindsight. At the time, it was a laughable joke of a transaction.

In the long run, however, the Mets didn't lose a legend. He finished with an ERA over 4 and an ERA+ barely better than league average.

Don't get me wrong, I personally would have loved a few years of Kazmir circa 2005-2008 (11 W, 186 K, 3.51 ERA on average) instead of the total drudgery Zambrano put us through.

But this trade might not be deserving of being named one of the all-time Mets laughers, after all.

If the Mets have Kazmir to call up at the end of 2006, they solidify their pitching staff that carries them to an NLCS victory over St. Louis and a World Series win against Detroit. Then the next year, instead of folding and finishing 88-74, they win the division and go on to defend their World Series championship. With Willie Randolph as the All-Star Game manager in 2008 (since the Mets won the World Series), Kazmir does NOT blow his arm out in the 2008 All Star Game, and the Mets go on to a three-peat World Series win in 2008.

Therefore, I contend that Jim Duquette and the people that put that stupid trade together cost the Mets three World Series championships by removing Kazmir from a hypothetical Mets rotation in 2007 and 2008, and possibly as early as 2006.

By the way, I remember when Kazmir was drafted. I knew nothing about him and on the day of the draft, Mets.com posted a picture of him on the phone taking the call from the Mets that he'd been drafted, and he had glasses on and looked like a nerd. My first thought was that he reminded me of Ogilvie, the kid from the Bad News Bears that played horribly but knew everyone's stats. Then I saw that he was undersized and I thought that the Mets had made a mistake. The only hope I had for him was that he was going to be a closer and that his "walkup song" would be "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin, rocking Shea Stadium every time he came in to close a game.

My only memory of Kazmir pitching was during the memorable 2008 All Star Game that went into extra innings. All I remember is that he pitched multiple innings in relief and blew his arm out, diminishing his effectiveness for the rest of his career. Without that one appearance, I contend that he shaves at least half a point off his career ERA.

All that said, it still bugs me that he's a former Mets minor leaguer and not a former Met. Seriously, can't they bring him back to pitch for Syracuse as a possible late season call up to help the Mets in the bullpen?

Think how "Kashmir" would rock Citibank Field. This guy needs to get signed now. Either him or Dwight Gooden, and I'm guessing Kazmir is in better shape.