Astros signed outfielder Jason Michaels, who had been with the Pirates, to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Returning to the NL didn't do much to reenergize Michaels last season, as he finished at .228/.300/.382 in 228 at-bats for the Pirates. The Astros will utilize him as a fifth outfielder and pinch-hitter, and he might not be a bad fit in that role. It'd be nice if they could have gotten another option in center, as neither Michael Bourn nor Darin Erstad is a quality regular, but the money just isn't there.
The signing is a good low risk move but the part in bold is what baffles me. Willy Taveras was just non-tendered and is not going to cost a lot of money. The Astros would have been wise to bring him back. The Astros also signed former Pirate Matt Kata to a minor league deal.