The seal has been broken on the 2015 MLB trade deadline. One team had to be the first to make a key addition before July 31, and a starting pitcher figured to be the piece that moved.
First up is the Houston Astros, who acquired Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. The left-hander is having an excellent season for the A’s, compiling a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts with 101 strikeouts in 109.2 innings. Kazmir, 31, can be a free agent after the season.
#Astros officially acquire LHP Scott Kazmir from Oakland in exchange for minor leaguers RHP Daniel Mengden and C Jacob Nottingham.
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 23, 2015
The Astros have fallen behind the Angels in the AL West and needed a boost. But even if Houston had maintained its first-place lead, a starting pitcher was a priority for general manager Jeff Luhnow to add to his roster. The starting rotation has been productive this season, posting a 3.96 ERA, which is a big reason why the Astros ran out to an early divisional lead and remain in contention.
However, after Dallas Keuchel — who’s emerged as an ace — the staff has several question marks. Rookie Lance McCullers has been impressive, with a 2.52 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 64.1 innings, but will eventually run into an innings limit. The same holds true for fellow first-year pitcher Vincent Velasquez.
#Astros also have to think Kazmir might be amenable to a multiyear deal in offseason. They love their Houston guys.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 23, 2015
The Astros needed a veteran starter for the top of the rotation, preferably one who can throw a bunch of innings. Kazmir, who logged 190.1 last year, certainly fits both those criteria. And besides providing a needed starter, there might be some belief that the Houston native (who still has a home in the area) is willing to sign an extension with the club.
On the Athletics’ end of the trade, the two minor leaguers they received in the deal are currently at high Single-A, moving up from the lower-A level. Mengden, a 2014 fourth-round selection, has 84 strikeouts in 88.1 innings this year. Nottingham, a sixth-round pick in 2013, is batting .326 with a .941 OPS, 24 doubles, 14 home runs and 60 RBI.
A’s GM Billy Beane likely isn’t done dealing. Ben Zobrist and reliever Tyler Clippard should attract plenty of interest from contenders during the week to come.
Will this be the only trade Luhnow makes before July 31? The Astros could arguably use another starter, and while they gave up two prospects for Kazmir, neither was considered an elite minor leaguer. As the Los Angeles Times‘ Bill Shaikin noted, that also sets the market price for starting pitching over the next eight days. The Reds (with Johnny Cueto) and Tigers (possibly shopping David Price) are surely taking note.
