The Astros have a $2.85 million option for the 2010 season on 42-year old righty reliever Doug Brocail. I would think that the Astros would just pay the $250,000 dollar buyout and let Brocail walk off into the sunset. But the Astros did pick up Brian Moehler’s option so maybe Brocail will luck out. Brocail pitched in 20 games (0 starts) for the Astros last season and he was 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP. He has now pitched four years for the Astros and he was 15-14 with 3 saves, a 4.24 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

UPDATE: The Astros have declined Brocail’s option but don’t feel too bad for him as he gets $250,000 bucks to walk away.

The Astros and Brian Moehler exercised a mutual option for the 2010 season worth $3 million bucks. The first question I have for Astros’ management is why? You could definately find a better pitcher in today’s economy for $3 million bucks. Moehler started 29 games for the Astros this season and he was 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. In four years with the Astros, Moehler has pitched in 105 games (58 starts) in which he is 20-24 with 1 save, a 4.98 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. I don’t see how the 37-year old Moehler can improve much over last season as he is getting old and he has never been that good. He has pitched in 312 games (244 starts) in his major league career and he is 83-103 with 1 save, a 4.80 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.