Houston has declined its $3.5 million option on Chad Qualls for 2016, buying out the veteran right-hander for $250,000.
Qualls was effective in his second go-around with the Astros, posting a 3.84 ERA and 89/14 K/BB ratio in 101 innings during the past two seasons, but he struggled down the stretch this year and was left off the team’s playoff roster.
Qualls had his highest strikeout rate since 2008 and issued a grand total of eight non-intentional walks in 49 innings this season, so even at age 37 he should be able to generate some decent one-year offers as a free agent.
