Pudge, Astros reach agreement

Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez has reached an agreement with the Houston Astros, according to sources.

The Associated Press reports that Rodriguez and the Astros are closing in on a $1.5 million, one-year contract, which would also contain $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on games and plate appearances.

The 14-time All-Star generated interest from multiple teams with a solid World Baseball Classic performance for Puerto Rico, hitting .600 (9-for-15) with two home runs. With no set catcher at this point, the Astros were able to offer Pudge more playing time behind the plate than the Giants, Marlins and other interested teams.

SI.com first reported this morning that Rodriguez and the Astros had entered serious discussions.

Rodriguez, 37, hit .276 with seven HRs and 35 RBIs in 115 games with the Tigers and Yankees last season.

In his 18-year career, Rodriguez has only played one season in the National League, with the Marlins in 2003. He hit .297 with 16 homers and 85 RBIs and helped lead Florida to a World Series title.