HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have a long history of signing players to big contracts.
The Astros have already paid out a total of $3.4 million to pitchers and catchers, and they plan to do the same with a handful of other players this offseason.
But this is the first time in history the team has paid out more than $2 million in guaranteed money to a player.
The team announced the details of the deals Thursday, and it includes a list of the players the Astros have reached, including some who were previously unsigned.
The list includes: Matt Garza, a pitcher with the Atlanta Braves who signed a five-year, $35 million deal.
He was released last month, and he is expected to be traded before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
He’s a former All-Star, who has been on a tear since he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Jose Altuve and Carlos Beltran in 2015.
Carlos Gonzalez, a shortstop signed by the Chicago Cubs for $17 million last winter.
The 26-year-old Gonzalez had an impressive season, batting .321 with 21 homers and 50 RBIs.
He has struggled in recent years, and this season he is batting .209 with 10 homers and 18 RBIs in 48 games.
He will be eligible to be re-signed this summer.
The contract includes $12.5 million in performance bonuses and a $1.75 million signing bonus.
Matt Wieters, a left-handed pitcher with Tampa Bay Rays who signed with the Astros for $6.5 years and $16 million in 2016.
He had a career year in 2015, but was released by the Rays after the season.
The 27-year old is expected not to be back with the team this season.
J.J. Putz, a right-handed reliever with the Houston Astros for four years, including two as a closer for the Red Sox.
He is expected back with them next season.
His last deal with the Red Wings was a five year, $48 million deal that included $24 million in incentives.
He went 0-5 with a 5.56 ERA in 2017.
In 2016, he was designated for assignment by the Astros after four seasons.
He signed a three-year deal with Miami that was not renewed.
Carlos Pena, a first baseman with the New York Mets who signed for $5 million last year.
He hit .266 with 13 homers and 44 RBIs last season.
He might have the best shot at returning this year, but his contract includes no guarantees and he will have to be a free agent again in 2019.
Carlos Santana, a catcher who signed in Atlanta for $3 million.
Santana was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, but he played well and the Angels were not interested in re-signing him, so he signed with Texas.
He also has a $3,400 signing bonus, $1,500 in performance incentives, and $500 in incentives for the 2019 season.
Brian McCann, a second baseman who signed last summer with the Seattle Mariners for $4.5 m in the first three years of his deal.
The 31-year.old McCann hit .276 with four homers and 39 RBIs for Seattle in 2017 and was released.
The Mariners signed him for a $8.5-million bonus, which they also guaranteed, but they did not re-enter the free agent market.
He missed the entire season with a hip injury, so the Mariners will have no interest in reincorporating him into the organization this season, which is a shame, because he is one of the most important pieces of the Astros’ 2017 World Series-winning lineup.
Jered Weaver, a reliever with Oakland Athletics who signed on July 8 for $1 million in the second year of his contract.
The 29-year age-25 veteran has a career ERA of 1.80 in 471 innings, but with a career WHIP of 1,067 he is not considered a great pitcher, and his numbers are lower in games started than innings pitched.
He made $2.4 m in 2019, which includes $1 m in performance-based incentives.
Jason Vargas, a starting pitcher with Minnesota Twins who signed off July 10 for $2,250 in the fifth year of the deal.
Vargas was acquired by the Angels from the Colorado Rockies in the deal that sent Carlos Gomez to the Red Rockers.
He posted a 2.93 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP in 215 innings.
The 33-year olds ERA of 3.30 is second in the majors behind the 1.84 ERA of Jake Odorizzi.
The 30-yearold has a 2-4 record with a 6.75 ERA in four starts this season in which he allowed two earned runs in nine innings.
He got a $2-million signing bonus from
