Hampton returns to Astros
Update at 4:45 PM: Ken Rosenthal of foxsports.com (click here for the article) is reporting that the deal is “a one-year, $2 million contract with the chance to earn another $2 million in appearance-based incentives”. Seems like a good, low-risk signing for the Astros.
According to Alyson Footer of mlb.com (click here for the article), the Houston Astros have signed Mike Hampton to a contract pending a physical. Hampton, remember, played for the Astros from 1994-1999 before he was traded to the New York Mets. His final season with the Astros saw him go 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA over 239.0 innings. He has been plagued by numerous injuries the past few seasons, completely wiping out his 2006 & 2007 seasons. In 2008 he threw just 78.0 innings for the Braves, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
Hampton will look to re-establish his fantasy relevance, but I’m not sure Houston was the best place to chose to go about that. He will be pitching in a hitter’s haven, making it likely that he struggles at times this season. Is he worth keeping an eye on as a possible waiver claim? I guess, though it’s highly unlikely he even comes close to returning to the pitcher he once was. You definitely should not waste a draft choice on him, obviously.
