Astros sign 2 Free Agents

Baseball America reports the Astros have signed a pair of minor league Free Agents. Outfielder Travis Buck and RHP Adalberto Flores are the newest members of the team. Buck, who turns 28 later this month, is a left-handed hitting corner outfielder. Buck has been up and down between the majors and AAA for the last five seasons. Buck had a good rookie year for Oakland in 2007 but regressed in each of the next three seasons. After being dealt to the Cleveland organization last year, Buck hit .256/.366/.421 at AAA Columbus and .228/.275/.342 in 160 plate appearances with the Indians.

Buck will be in the mix for the fifth outfielder position vacated by the loss of Jason Michaels. J.B. Shuck will compete with Buck for that final reserve OF spot.

Adalberto Flores is a big right-hander with a fastball clocked in the low nineties. Originally from Puerto Rico, the 6′ 7″, 225 pound Flores celebrated his 25th birthday earlier this month. Flores spent the last four seasons  in the Texas Rangers organization. In his two seasons at AA Flores has an encouraging 9.0 K/9 IP ratio. But control has been an issue for Flores, who has a career ratio of 3.5 BB/9 IP. Flores has worked mostly as a late inning reliever and could be ticketed for AAA Oklahoma City this season.