Kazmir Trade Sheds Light on Parra and Cotts' Market

Houston Astros took a step closer to be a potential World Series contender by acquiring Scott Kazmir from Oakland A's for two Single A players - Jacob Nottingham, a catcher and pitcher Daniel Mengden.  This is a low risk move by Houston, and it might be a look inside the trades Milwaukee might make with Gerardo Parra and Neil Cotts.

Aramis Ramirez is a different deal because he's playing his final year of baseball. But Parra and Cotts, like Kazmir, are going to be free agents at the end of the season. Milwaukee will definitely not get this kind of value for Cotts. Likely, they will get one player, and who knows, it could be a Player To Be Named Later. As for Parra, I feel like the expectations shouldn't be very high for the return .

Although reading up on Nottingham, he sounds like a player with big-time potential at the catcher position. He's hitting for average and power so far in two minor league stint.  But there is no guarantee Nottingham will be a starter in the big leagues. If Milwaukee can fill a need like the corner infield or pitching and they come with potential yet it might be awhile until we see them in the big leagues, that's fine.

Charlie.