*Photo from the Orange County Register*
The Astros are continuing to add to their bullpen. The Astros have signed RHP Pedro Baez to a two year deal worth approximately $12.5 million, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. Baez will earn $10 across both seasons, with a $500,000 signing bonus. There is also a $7.5 million option for the 2023 season that has a $2 million buyout. There are also bonuses based off innings pitched. The Astros have confirmed the deal.
Baez had a solid year in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in 2020, pitching to a 0-0 record with a 3.18 ERA, striking out 13 hitters in 17 innings pitched across 18 relief appearances, also picking up two saves. In his 7 major league seasons, all with the Dodgers, Baez has a 21-15 record with a 3.03 ERA, throwing 356 innings in 355 appearances, all in relief. Baez has 3 career saves to his name, with the other coming in 2019.
Astros GM James Click said of signing Baez that "You can't put too many guys on a list of what he has done over the past six or seven years of his career. He's certainly done it on some very big stages, and having a veteran like that in the bullpen, a strong arm, strong body, a guy who can take the ball and get big outs for us in big situations, there wasn't a lot to not like about him."
The Baez signing will help bolster an Astros bullpen that was heavily depleted due to injuries to their star veterans in the 2020 season. Baez joins a bullpen that would feature Ryne Stanek, Ryan Pressly, Blake Taylor, Enoli Paredes, Brooks Raley, and Joe Smith if the team didn't make any other relief pitching additions or subtractions before opening day.
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