Astros decline option on Brocail, add coaches

Oct 31, 2009 - 12:52 AM HOUSTON(AP) -- The Houston Astros added several coaches to new manager Brad Mills' staff Friday, hiring Brad Arnsberg as their pitching coach, promoting Al Pedrique to bench coach and adding Bobby Meacham as their first-base coach.

The team also declined the 2010 option on right-handed relief pitcher Doug Brocail and re-signed third baseman Geoff Blum to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Blum's contract includes a mutual option for the 2011 season worth $1.65 million.

Mills was introduced as Houston's new manager on Tuesday.

Pedrique was promoted to third-base coach when Cecil Cooper was fired on Sept. 21 and he was one of 10 candidates to interview for the manager position. He started the season as Houston's minor league field coordinator.

Meacham was a coach for The Philadelphia Phillies' Class A affiliate in Williamsport, Pa., this year. He was the New York Yankees' third-base coach in 2008. Meacham replaces Jose Cruz, who accepted another job within the organization.

Arnsberg, Toronto's pitching coach for the last five seasons, replaces Dewey Robinson, who has taken a job with Tampa Bay.

Brocail, 42, went 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA in 20 relief appearances with Houston in 2009. He went on the disabled list three times last season and missed a total of 99 games. The Astros declined an option for $2.85 million and paid him a $250,000 buyout.

The 36-year-old Blum hit .247 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs in 120 games with the Astros last season. He started 101 games in 2009, 94 at third base.