Astros signed RHP Doug Brocail, who had been with the Padres, to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2009.
The Padres will get a supplemental first-round pick for losing the 40-year-old right-hander. Brocail had a 3.05 ERA last season, and he was actually at 1.79 on the road, so Petco didn't play much of a role in his success. On the other hand, he struck out just 43 in 76 2/3 innings and it wsa the first time he had posted an ERA under 4.00 since 1999 (he missed 2001-03 with arm woes). He's no lock to help the Astros in middle relief.