Tony Sipp emerged as one of the Astros’ most trusted relievers this year and now the free agent left-hander is staying in Houston, as Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that the two sides have agreed to a deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com says it’s a three-year, $18 million contract, which more or less fits with what solid non-closer relievers have been getting this offseason.
Sipp had back-to-back strong seasons in Houston, logging a total of 105 innings with a 2.66 ERA and 125/32 K/BB ratio. Prior to joining the Astros he always racked up plenty of strikeouts, but struggled to consistently throw strikes and bounced around quite a bit through age 31.
He figures to stay in a setup role and by bringing back Sipp after swinging a huge trade for stud Phillies closer Ken Giles the Astros’ bullpen has a chance to be a big strength in 2016.