HOUSTON (AP) - Relief pitcher Doug Brocail is staying with the Houston Astros, agreeing Tuesday to a $2.75 million, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2010.
The 41-year-old right-hander was a reliable setup man for Houston closer Jose Valverde this season, going 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA in a career-high 72 appearances.Brocail gets a $2.5 million salary next year and Houston has a $2.85 million option for 2010, with a $250,000 buyout. The deal also includes performance bonuses.
Brocail became the third of 171 players who filed for free agency last month to finalize a contract. All-Star pitcher Ryan Dempster remained with the Chicago Cubs for a $52 million, four-year deal, and reliever Jeremy Affeldt left Cincinnati for an $8 million, two-year contract with San Francisco.
The Astros also reached a preliminary agreement with lefty Mike Hampton on a $2 million, one-year contract that would contain an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. He must pass a physical for the deal to be completed.
Houston finished third in the NL Central this season with an 86-75 record.
Brocail had 64 strikeouts, his most since compiling 78 in 1999. He is 51-48 with a 3.99 ERA and nine saves in his 14-year major league career.
He was one of three free agents the Astros declined to offer salary arbitration to by Monday's deadline. The others were pitcher Randy Wolf and utility infielder Mark Loretta.
The team also declined to offer arbitration to Brad Ausmus, but the veteran catcher said after the season that he wanted to retire if he couldn't sign with a team closer to his San Diego home.
