The Houston Astros have reached an agreement with a two-year contract with free agent right-handed relief pitcher Joe Smith, pending a physical confirmed by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
Source: Astros in agreement with free agent RHP Joe Smith, pending physical.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 13, 2017
Smith, 33, was 3-0 with a 3.33 ERA in 59 appearances combined this past season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians. Smith has not allowed a run over three playoff appearances, pitching five scoreless innings. He appeared in four playoff games in 2017, walking one and striking out three over 2 1/3 innings.
Smith by the New York Mets in the third round of the 2006 draft from Wright State University. He has a 44-28 record and 2.97 ERA over 698 games without once having an ERA over 3.83 during that time.
Smith seems like a natural fit to replace Luke Gregerson. Gregerson signed with the Cardinals during the Winter Meetings. But Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is still looking for that front line left-handed reliever.