Baseball trade market heats up
The Oakland Athletics have begun changes leading up to the trade deadline, sending left- hander Scott Kazmir to Houston Astros for a pair of minor leaguers. Oakland receives right- handed pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham in the swap. They haven’t been to the playoffs since being swept in the 2005 World Series by the Chicago White Sox. Meanwhile, Aramis Ramirez is headed back to the Pittsburgh Pirates after they acquired the veteran third baseman from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates got Ramirez for minor league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios.