Astros sign Kyle Farnsworth

The Houston Astros and Kyle Farnsworth have agreed to a Major League contract, according to reports today. The contract could be worth up to $1.2 million with performance bonuses, but the guaranteed compensation is not yet known. Farnsworth elected his release from the the New York Mets after they had outrighted him. He drew interest from the Reds, Phillies, and one AL club before deciding upon the Astros.

The 38-year-old has gone 0-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings pitched so far this season. He has a 5.29 strikeout-per-nine ratio, a 3.18 walk-per-nine rate, and a 35.2 percent ground ball rate this season. He has served as the closer for a short time and tallied three saves. Over his career, Farnsworth is 43-66 with a 4.24 ERA in 977 innings pitched. However, he only has saved 57 career games. Farnsworth has a career 101 ERA+.

The Astros have the highest bullpen ERA and worst batting average against in the Major Leagues, which makes Farnsworth's signing even more understandable. However, these numbers have come in 131 innings, which is the 11th highest in the MLB. Farnsworth's signing with the Astros could really help the Astros horrid bullpen.

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