Pat Neshek to Astros: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction

The Houston Astros continued their busy offseason by reportedly signing 34-year-old relief pitcher Pat Neshek, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported the terms of the agreement:

The signing of Neshek was not the only upgrade Houston made in the bullpen. According to Nightengale, the Astros signed fellow relief pitcher Luke Gregerson to a three-year contract worth $18.5 million Wednesday.

The additions of Neshek and Gregerson will help bolster a Houston bullpen that finished dead last in the league with an earned run average of 4.80.

Neshek is coming off an All-Star campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals and posted an impressive 1.87 ERA in 71 appearances. Add in the 2.12 ERA Gregerson amassed with the Oakland Athletics last season, and the Astros have added depth and talent to the bullpen.

Houston is still a few years from contention, but with several years of high draft picks and building for the future, the Astros could be one of the surprise teams of 2015.

*Stats via MLB.com.