The Houston Astros signed outfielder Darin Erstad to a one-year, $1.75-million contract extension and right-handed pitcher Brian Moehler to a one-year, $2.3-million contract extension on Friday. The one-year extensions for both players are for the 2009 season, and both have additional bonuses. Moehler's deal includes an option for the 2010 season.

I like both of these signings. I know some who post here believe that Moehler's been lucky and has produced better due to good defense and things like that... but I'm a results guy... and Moehler has given us a chance to win in most of his outings... therefore I think he deserved a contract extension(or a new contract, however you want to word it) and I'm glad the Astros got him on the cheap and give him a chance to earn some bonuses.

I like the Erstad signing as well.  Erstad has been everything we expected him to be this season and more.  He's been a very good defensive player and a good offensive player as well.  Yea so he probably can't be a 150+ game starter for us... well, we need good bench players and players who can fill in and produce if a starter gets hurt.  That is exactly what Erstad is and has been for the Astros all season.  A very good pick up.

I REALLY like contracts that have a low base salary and then give bonuses based on performance.  I think EVERY contract should be that way.  No way should any player have a base salary of 15-20 million.  They should have a lower salary and then the chance to make much more based on results.  Unfortunately that will never happen.  If you are a good player and can produce, sign a contract with good incentives.  Teams should be happy to let a player have a chance to make more based on incentives then they would if they just signed a flat rate contract.