Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow announced Friday that Houston has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with free-agent catcher Chris Snyder that includes a mutual option for 2013.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Snyder, 30, hit .271 with three home runs and 17 RBI while compiling a .376 on-base percentage in 34 games for the Pirates last season.
He underwent lower-back surgery in June, causing him to be placed on the 60-day disabled list and miss the remainder of the season.
Pittsburgh declined Snyder's $6.75 million option for 2012.
Snyder, a Houston native and University of Houston product, has exhibited exceptional defensive skills and decent pop in his bat as a catcher over the course of eight major league seasons.
He cracked 15 homers in 2010 with the Diamondbacks and Pirates -- a total that ranked fourth among National League catchers.
Snyder posted a career-best 16 homers in 2008 for Arizona.
The veteran catcher has a stellar reputation for what he does behind the plate, based on his standout .998 career fielding percentage.
It rates as the top overall mark in Major League Baseball history among catchers with a minimum 600 games behind the plate.
His 240-game errorless streak ran from August 2007 to June 2010, thus ranking as the third-longest by a catcher in major league history.
Snyder gives the Astros much-needed depth at catcher.
Jason Castro, a former top prospect, missed the entire 2011 season in order to rehab a torn meniscus and torn ACL in his right knee.
Also, Castro remains sidelined after undergoing offseason surgery on his left foot following a stint in the Arizona Fall League.
In order to add outfielder Jack Cust to their 40-man roster, the Astros designated catcher Craig Tatum for assignment on Wednesday.
With veteran Humberto Quintero the lone healthy catcher on the 40-man roster, it put the Astros in position to explore all options.
Snyder fills the void.
For the latest Astros news, click on the Subscribe button at the top of the page. Also, be sure to follow Houston Astros Examiner Stephen Goff on Facebook and Twitter, or email sgoff80@yahoo.com.
Comments