Trachsel Signs with O's

At Rotoworld they write about the Orioles signing Steve Trachsel to a 1 year contract:

Steve Trachsel and the Orioles have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.1 million contract with a $4.75 million option for 2008, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.

That didn't take long. Trachsel will replace Kris Benson in the rotation, putting Jeremy Guthrie back in the bullpen mix and making it likely that Hayden Penn and Garrett Olson will open the season in Triple-A. It's unlikely that he'll have any fantasy value.

Astros Close To Signing Trachsel

At MLB Rumors they write about the Astros and how close they are at signing Steve Trachsel:

According to Sports Radio 610 in Houston, the Astros are in the final stages of a one year deal with free agent pitcher Steve Trachsel.

Trachsel's agents, the Levinson brothers, met with Astros GM Tim Purpura on Febuary 7th, and according to a source close to negotiations, the meeting went well. Trachsel was 15-8 with a 4.97 ERA and 79 K with the Mets last season. Trachsel had his break out year with the Cubs in 1998, going 15-8 with a 4.46 ERA. Since 1993, Trachsel has gone 134-143 with a 4.28 ERA with the Cubs, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, and Mets. When the deal is reached, Trachsel will be the fifth starter behind Oswalt, Jennings, Williams, and Rodriguez.