Astros re-sign reliever Tony Sipp to 3-year, $18 million deal

Houston has agreed to re-sign free agent reliever Tony Sipp, according to FOX 26's Mark Berman.

Free agent reliever Tony Sipp is returning to the #Astros.His deal will be done pending completion of his physical according to MLB sources

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 10, 2015

Evan Drellich of The Houston Chronicle notes Sipp is receiving a three-year deal, and FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal notes the deal includes $18 million guaranteed.

Sipp started his career in Cleveland but did not have a notable amount of success before joining the Astros in 2015. Houston's bullpen was notably effective last season, and Sipp contributed to that, pitching to 1.99 ERA and 2.93 FIP over 54.1 innings.

Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow acquired Sipp, who was pitching for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate, in 2014.

For the second consecutive off-season, the Astros leave the Winter Meetings with a pair of productive bullpen arms. Last season, both Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek were added before the meetings ended. This week, Houston has added Sipp and Ken Giles, who was acquired from the Phillies.

Sipp's ability to generate ground balls consistently should prove to be beneficial for the Astros late in games. Over the last two seasons, his ground ball rate has been around 35 percent and he has the ability to get both left and right-handed hitters out.

Astros Manager A.J. Hinch will now have multiple effective bullpen arms to turn to late in games.