It's a good signing, because it's a cheap, low risk deal which helps provide some starting depth.  With Patton, Albers, and Gutierrez traded away, the Astros needed some more starting pitchers who can compete with Sampson, Paulino, etc. for the No. 5 slot and be available to fill in if injuries occur in the rotation.

The "good" side of Cassel is that he is a groundball inducing pitcher in the Sampson mode.  The "down" side is that he gives up a lot of hits, though not many home runs.  Maybe he can become a cheap version of Carlos Silva, who knows?  His ERA was good in a very brief ML stint with the Padres last year (3.97) and his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was even better (3.67), which gives a little reassurance.  He had a nice season in AAA  last year with a 56% groundball rate, a 3.91 ERA, and a 4.01 FIP.

He isn't really a baby pitcher at age 27.  At that age, he isn't a prospect, but, heck, he is younger and cheaper than guys like Moeller.

With Y. Ramirez and Cassel, two minor league free agents whom Wade is familiar with (as SD players), his tactic seems to be "offer a major league contract" in order to outbid other teams.  The Astros have some room now on the 40 man and can make some of these minor moves.

You'd want when you obviously downgraded defense wise at short stop.. but, who knows.. If he can keep a low 4's ERA, we're good. Like Clack said, cheap, low/no risk deal.

Another bullpen arm, 32 year old RHP Paronto, DFA'd by Atlanta.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5388131.html

As Ed Wade might say, "can't have too many veteran arms in the bullpen."

Stats:http://firstinning.com/players/Chad-Paronto-a/

If you neutralize his major league career stats at his B-Ref page, 3.83 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, he isn't bad.  Maybe another Borkowski type.  He is a groundballer.

Was Cassel one of the reasons the Padres failed to make the playoffs?