Houston Astros: Reliever Joe Smith ready to rock it with a new contract

The Houston Astros have re-signed Joe Smith to a two-year deal which demonstrates their faith that he’d be a valuable contributor. What’s the latest?

The Houston Astros are almost at the end of the year and they hope to get some deals done before things start rolling into 2020 when they get fast and furious before the start of Spring Training.

There are still some nice finds on the market but whether or not the Houston Astros feel if they’re the best fit for the team — psychically and monetarily — remains to be seen. But it will be intriguing to see where they go with things before the start of the season.

The team certainly has address holes on the starting pitching front — they need at least one possibly two starters — plus add catching depth and to their bullpen as well. Considering this team just was the runner-ups for the World Series this past Fall, that’s a lot of work to do by Jeff Luhnow and his staff to have them ready to go in their next campaign.

But at least we know that a portion of the bullpen has been shored up. Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reported that the Houston Astros have re-signed 35-year-old Joe Smith to a two-year deal.

Smith had been present at the Winter Meetings, trying to find himself a taker on his services but the team that he’s been with for the past two seasons has decided to invest their interest in him, knowing that he can provide a valuable contribution to the team’s success.

Kaplan also reported that Smith’s deal is worth $8 million, meaning that he’ll be making $4 million per season, which is a sizable pay cut to the two-year, $15 million deal that he just completed with the franchise.

I talked a few weeks back about how the Houston Astros needed to re-sign Smith and it’s good to know that they’ve done so.

Smith had done his homework and he felt that likely the Houston Astros were the best fit for his

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future and the money didn’t matter to him. Who knows? He may have gotten slightly larger offers but likely not a chance to be so close to a World Series ring he could taste it.

He was already at that point with the team taking the Washington Nationals to seven games in this past season’s World Series and I’m sure he feels he can help them get back there within that timeframe.

Smith missed about half of the 2019 season after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon back during last offseason. He made his return back in June and he pretty much has been smooth sailing since he has come back, even through the postseason as well.

This is an excellent move for the Houston Astros as our talented sidearmer is back in the fold, ready to get back to work and rock it wholesomely.

They still have to ink deals with Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock, Chris Devenski, Joe Biagini inside or outside of arbitration and to try bring Will Harris back via free agency.

Next. Astros eyeing infield defense by targeting Craig Stammen. dark

So what’s next? We’re about to find out in 2020 — congrats Joe!

Smith posted a 1.80 ERA along with 22 strikeouts to five earned runs, a 0.96 WHIP, a 3.09 FIP, 0.7 HR/9 and 7.9 K/9 through 25.0 innings last season.

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