The first domino of the MLB non-waiver deadline trading season has fallen. The Oakland Athletics have sent left-hander Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros for a duo of prospects — right-hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham. Kazmir was to start Oakland’s game Thursday, but instead he’ll be moving on — and up — in the AL West standings.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle noted just prior to the deal being announced that Kazmir was hugging his teammates good-bye. She reported Wednesday night that a deal to Houston, which also is Kazmir’s home, probably was coming.
Scott Kazmir will be formidable near the top of Houston’s rotation. (USATSI)
Kazmir has posted a 2.38 ERA with with 101 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings this season with the A’s, who are 11 games back in the division after reaching the wild card in 2014. A year ago, the A’s sent prospects to the Cubs for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Now, with a 44-52 record, they’re dealing away in order to get younger.
With Kazmir gone, don’t be surprised to see Zobrist dealt next.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 23, 2015
The Astros have been the big surprise of the 2015 season, though they have faded lately and been overtake for first in the West by the Angels. Houston’s record is 53-43, which would get them into a wild-card spot, were the playoffs to start today.
Kazmir is in the second year of a $22-million deal, and will be a free agent next season, when he turns 32 years old. He sure improves Houston’s staff, which includes Cy Young and MVP candidate Dallas Keuchel, along with Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers Jr. Kazmir definitely gives the Astros another tool with which to beat the Angels.
Regarding the players coming to the A’s from the Astros farm system, our own Mike Axisa notes:
The Astros did not give up any of their top prospects to acquire Kazmir, and the Megden/Nottingham package indicates the A’s aren’t necessarily looking for MLB ready players at the trade deadline. They have several other rental players who figure to be available, most notably Zobrist and Tyler Clippard.
Mengden, 22, was Houston’s fourth-round pick in last year’s draft. He has a 3.46 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 26 walks in 88 1/3 innings this season, split between two levels of Class A ball. Prior to the 2014 draft, Baseball America said Megden operates with a low-90s sinker as well as a promising slider and changeup.
The 20-year-old Nottingham was a sixth round pick by the Astros in the 2013 draft. He’s having a monster year, hitting .326/.383/.558 with 24 doubles and 14 homers at Single-A. Nottingham is a work in progress behind the plate with a strong arm, though he needs to improve his overall receiving. He’s a bat-first prospect.
More to come on this deal. The non-waiver trading deadline is July 31.
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