The Houston Astros have bolstered their bullpen by agreeing to an $18.5-million, three-year contract with Luke Gregerson and a $12.5-million, two-year deal with Pat Neshek, people familiar with the negotiations said Wednesday.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals with the right-handers were subject to physicals.
Gregerson, 30, spent five years with San Diego, then went 5-5 with a 2.12 ERA in 72 appearances for Oakland last season. Neshek, 34, has pitched for Minnesota, San Diego, Oakland and St. Louis. He was 7-2 with a 1.87 ERA for the Cardinals this year, when he struck out 68 in 67 1-3 innings and was picked for his first All-Star Game.
Gregerson, who could take over as closer from Chad Qualls, receives $6-million next year and $6.25-million in each of the final two seasons.
Houston had shown interest in David Robertson, who agreed to a $46-million, four-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Neshek gets $5.5-million next year and $6.5-million in 2016. The deal includes an option at $6-million to $9-million, depending on his performance, with a $500,000 buyout.