Valverde inks $8 million deal to stay with Astros

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Right-hander Jose Valverde, who led the National League with 44 saves last season, has signed a one-year, $8 million contract to stay with the Houston Astros, the National League team announced on Monday.

"Jose is a key component of our club, and we're very pleased to get this deal done," Astros general manager Ed Wade said in a statement on the team's website (http:/houston.astros.mlb.com).

"Having the closer who has led the league in saves for two years in a row creates a lot of certainty in the back end of our bullpen," Wade added.

"Jose has established himself as one of the game's dominant closers and should be able to maintain that status for a long time."

The 29-year-old Valverde tied the team record with his 44 saves. He posted a 6-3 record with a 3.38 earned run average in a career-high 74 appearances.

Also agreeing to terms on Monday was Milwaukee Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Hardy signed a one-year, $4.65 million deal and avoided arbitration, Major League Baseball reported on its website (www.MLB.com).

Hardy, 26, hit .283 with 24 home runs and 74 runs batted in last season to help the Brewers win the National League wild card.

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in North Carolina; Editing by Martin Petty)