Wednesday, the Houston Astros made good use of the annual Baseball Winter Meetings by signing well-traveled, free agent reliever Joe Smith to a two-year contract. The team confirmed the deal late Wednesday night, and early Thursday morning, it was revealed that Smith’s contract guarantees him $15 million over those two years.

The sidewinding 33-year-old split 2017 between the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, working to a 3.33 ERA in 59 appearances. He struck out 71 batters and walked 10 in 54 innings. An 11-year veteran, Smith has compiled a 44-28 record with a 2.97 ERA in 698 career games with the Indians, Angels, Mets, Cubs, and Blue Jays.

Just before departing the meetings, Wednesday, Houston GM Jeff Luhnow offered: “We’ve been focusing on pitching, primarily on the reliever side, but always keeping in mind there might be a potential to bring in another starter and reconfigure our bullpen by having one or more of our starters be in the bullpen.”

Related: Schmoozing At Winter Meetings, Astros Making Moves From Within

An example of taking Brad Peacock from the starting rotation and slotting him into the bullpen has been recently mentioned by team officials. Longtime starter Peacock acquitted himself nicely last season out of the bullpen, especially during the playoffs, and could prove valuable, frankly, performing either or both functions, as needed, in 2018.

Another Astro Nemesis Off the List

Smith may actually be one of those types of signings that gets a pest off a team’s back: Smith has mastered his new employers to the tune of 16-for-90 (.164) against him in 29 games. Only the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, and Washington Nationals have worse averages against Smith.

Moreover, Smith seems to like pitching at Minute Maid Park. In 14 career appearances at the Astros’ home diamond, Smith has never yielded a run and has just a .175 batting average against in 11.2 innings.

Related: Astros Bolster Bullpen, Sign Cubs’ Free Agent Hector Rondon

Bronx Beater

His work against the Bronx Bombers had to sweeten the pot for Houston, as well: Smith pitched in four of the Indians’ five games of the ALDS against the Yankees last season, giving up just one hit and no runs in five innings.

In fact, the Yanks’ big three of Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Gary Sanchez are a crippling 0-for-13 against Smith, with 7 strikeouts! Think the Astros front office wasn’t aware of that stat, and a possible ALCS re-match with the Pinstripes, before wooing the effective journeyman?

Smith can reach the low 90s with his fastball, and his sidearm delivery makes it tough on right-handed batters, who are hitting just .215 against him during his career. Lefties haven’t done much better, batting .245 against him.

Smith went undrafted out of Amelia High School in Cincinnati (where he was a three-year varsity letterman), but he managed to add some velocity at Wright State, was made the Raiders’ closer, and got the attention of scouts. He was a third-round pick by the Mets in 2006.

Thursday morning, Smith Tweeted, “Thank you all for welcoming my wife and I to Houston! Pumped to be an Astro, and can’t wait for a chance to repeat in ’18!!”

Related: Astros Select 2-Way Player Anthony Gose From Rangers in Rule 5 Draft