Conger, Castro and Sipp agree to deals with Astros

HOUSTON (AP) The Astros have agreed to one-year contracts with catchers Jason Castro and Hank Conger and left-handed reliever Tony Sipp, avoiding arbitration with the players.

Castro was Houston's everyday catcher last season and hit .222 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs. He will make $4 million, a raise from $2.45 million

Conger, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels this offseason, hit .221 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 80 games last season. He was eligible for arbitration for the first time and is getting a hike from $517,500 to make $1,075,000.

Sipp posted a 3.38 ERA in 56 appearances last year in his first season in Houston. His deal is for $2.4 million, up from $650,000.

Houston agreed to deals with designated hitter Chris Carter ($4,175,000) and catcher Carlos Corporan ($975,000) earlier this week, leaving outfielder Dexter Fowler and shortstop Marwin Gonzalez as its only players left in arbitration.

Fowler asked for $10.8 million, and the team offered $8.5 million. Gonzalez asked for $1.4 million, and the team offered $900,000.