Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow announced Wednesday that Houston has agreed to terms with outfielder Jack Cust on a one-year, $600,000 contract that includes a club option for 2013.
Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle reports the option being worth $1 million as part of the non-guaranteed Major League deal.
Cust, 33, hit .213 with three home runs, 23 RBI, 15 doubles and a triple over 225 at-bats in 67 games for the Mariners last season.
Seattle released him in August.
He ultimately signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and spent the remainder of the 2011 regular season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Although Cust holds just a career .242 batting average, he's been a productive offensive player over his 10 major league seasons.
The veteran outfielder can hit for power and possesses the ability to get on base, as evident with posting a career .374 on-base percentage.
He averaged 28 homers and 103 walks for the Oakland A's from 2007-09 and also compiled 309 walks -- ranking third in the big leagues behind Adam Dunn (339) and Albert Pujols (318).
Also, he recorded 39 game-winning RBI during that span.
Cust, a first-round pick (30th overall) by Arizona in the 1997 First-Year Player Draft, will likely serve as a pinch hitter and provide depth at the corner outfield positions for Houston in 2012.
If the Astros decide to pick up his club option for 2013, Cust would provide a DH option, as the ballclub transitions to the AL.
He's recorded 105 homers, 323 RBI, 96 doubles, 444 walks while compiling an .813 OPS over his major league career with the Diamondbacks, Rockies, Orioles, Padres, A's and Mariners.
Cust blasted a career-high 33 homers and 111 walks for the A's in 2008 and posted a career-best .408 OBP the previous year.
In order for the Astros to add Cust to their 40-man roster, the ballclub will need to clear a spot by making a corresponding move.
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