Dodgers sign Scott Kazmir to 3-year, $48 million deal

Scott Kazmir was arguably the biggest pitching deadline move for the Houston Astros since Randy Johnson. Just like another Johnson, the former Astro will be wearing a new uniform the next season. The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced Wednesday they have signed Scott Kazmir.

The Dodgers today announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir to a three-year contract. (1/2)

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 30, 2015

Bob Nightengale is reporting the deal is a 3-year, $48 million contract.

The #Dodgers officially announce Scott Kazmir to 3-year, $48 million deal. Designate OF Daniel Fields for assignment

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 30, 2015

The market appeared to be around $10 million a year and Kazmir was asking for $12-14 million per reports. The Dodgers stepped up and gave Kazmir $16 million a year.

Houston sent right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham for Kazmir's services last season. Nottingham is ranked eighth most vaunted prospect in the A's system, and Mengden is ranked 24th.

Kazmir was 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA with 54 strikeouts, 24 walks and a 1.39 WHIP in 73 1/3 innings for the Astros during the regular season. He started in one game in the postseason against the Kansas City Royals, pitching 5 1/3 innings -- allowing three runs on five hits.

The rotation is now missing a Kazmir-sized hole with Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Scott Feldman, Mike Fiers, and Lance McCullers slotted in for next season. The Astros are without Brett Oberholtzer, Mark Appel, and Vincent Velazquez after trading them to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Astros have option within the system to turn to in Michael Feliz, Joe Musgrove, Brad Peacock, Dan Straily, and Asher Wojciechowski -- but none of these pitchers are left-landed.

Now the question is if the Astros stay pat or go elsewhere with Kazmir now gone.