Rays give '07 AL strikeout king big raise

Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir has agreed to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract's value to $39.5 million over four seasons. The 2007 AL strikeout champion is 36-30 with a 3.63 ERA in 100 major league appearances, including 99 starts. He began this season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his left elbow, but returned to the rotation on May 4. The 24-year-old, 13-9 with a 3. [link]