The first big deal of the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline has been finalized:
The Oakland Athletics have traded left hander Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros’ prospects right hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham.
Kazmir joins a rotation with their ace left hander Dallas Keuchel who was the starter in this year’s All Star Game, a solid number three starter in Collin McHugh, and a young stud in 21 year old right hander Lance McCullers. The Astros, who are now 53-43, are looking to hang in the race and are only two games behind the division leading Los Angeles Angels in the American League West. They have a very young team who has surprised many this season and look to reach the postseason for the first time since they lost to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series in 2005.
The 31 year old has really gotten his career back on track since being injured in years past and losing a ton of velocity on his fastball. He was let go by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 and was out of baseball for that entire season and all of 2012 before coming back into the league in 2013 with the Cleveland Indians. In 2015, he has pitched to a 5-5 record with a minuscule 2.38 earned run average, walking 35 and striking out 101 in 109 and two thirds innings of work. Kazmir will add some much needed veteran leadership to this Astros rotation and in the locker room.
