Houston Astros acquire LHP Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A's

The Houston Astros have acquired lefthanded starting pitcher Scott Kazmir from the Oakland A's, in exchange for catcher Jacob Nottingham and RHP Daniel Mengden, per multiple reports on Twitter.

Nottingham was the #9 prospect on BA's Astros mid-season top 10 prospect list, while Mengden did not make the list.  Nottingham, 20, was a 6th round pick in the 2013 draft, and is a big bat-first catcher who has been beating up low-A and high-A this year.

Mengden, 22, was a 4th round pick out of Texas A&M last year, who has split the season between low-A and high-A, dominating low-A with a 1.16 ERA and struggling in the Cal League with a 5.26 ERA.

Kazmir, a Houston native, is a free agent after the season.  He has a 2.38 ERA and a 3.09 FIP on the year in 109.2 IP.

If this sets the bar for what rental pitchers are going to get, it seems more likely that the Rangers hold Yovani Gallardo, rather than trade him at the deadline.