The Astros have decided to bring back 28-year old righty reliever Casey Daigle on a minor league deal. Daigle pitched in 49 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Astros last season and he was 4-3 with 5 saves, a 2.91 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Daigle did not pitch in the majors last season. He has now pitched in 20 games (10 starts) in his two years in the majors and he is 2-3 with a 6.46 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. Don’t expect much out of Daigle as he will likely be spending most if not all of the year in AAA again.

The Astros have signed 26-year old righty reliever Jose Valdez to a minor league deal. Valdez pitched in 43 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball last season in the Yankees’ system and he was 3-2 with 10 saves, a 3.43 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He has control issues that need worked out as he walked 33 batters in only 57 2/3 innings last season but he also whiffed 60 batters showing what kind of stuff he has. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Astros.

The Rockies are going to let Yorvit Torrealba walk as a free agent so they will likely be in the trade market for a catcher to split time with Chris Iannetta. With that in mind the Astros should offer them J.R. Towles for lefty starting pitcher Greg Smith. Smith did not pitch for the Rockies this season and the Astros have a huge need for starting pitching. This is the kind of trade that could help out both teams as both of the players involved have nice upsides despite the struggles they have had lately.