Astros Crawfish Boil: July 24, 2015

If you haven't heard, Jeff Lunhow and Billy Beane kicked off the trade deadline:

Microwave Hot Take: The Oakland-Houston Scott Kazmir Trade Is Great for Everyone

Astros glad to have Scott Kazmir on their side - Ultimate Astros

Athletics trade Scott Kazmir to Astros: Five things to know - CBSSports.com
The A's and Astros knocked down the first domino during non-waiver trade deadline season. What do you need to know about the deal?

Billy Beane: Oakland A's needed to be realistic about the standings - Athletics Nation

With Scott Kazmir's trade to the Houston Astros came the understanding that the Oakland Athletics had a long way to go to even have a chance at a Wild Card spot, where they trail the Minnesota Twins by seven games.

Evaluating Oakland's newest prospects from the Scott Kazmir Trade - Minor League Ball
The skinny on Oakland's newest prospects.

But that wasn't the only trade related news of the day:

Pirates acquire Aramis Ramirez from Brewers | MLB.com
Twelve years after the Pirates traded him away, Aramis Ramirez is headed back to Pittsburgh.

Commish Manfred raises possibility of moving back MLB trade deadline - CBSSports.com
Will the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline be moved back later on the calendar? MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says it's something he'll consider.

Moving the MLB trade deadline into August would be a mistake - SBNation.com
More trades and more rumors are fun, but a later trade deadline would hurt the value of a good trade.

In non-trade related news, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony is this weekend:

The Hall Is Ready: Setting the stage for Hall of Fame Induction Weekend | MLB.com
While the speeches are still a couple of days away, Cooperstown is very much in the throes of HOF weekend. Let us set the stage …

All roads lead to Cooperstown as baseball legends face HOF induction | Columbia Daily Herald
COOPERTOWN, N.Y. — The crowds at this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction may rival last year’s announced crowd of 48,000, putting it on the event’s top-five list for best crowds for the second-straight year.

Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, John Smoltz have Hall of Fame careers after trade
Former general managers will be reminded all weekend if they regret trading Hall of Famer pitchers Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz.